101 Things I’m Doing in 2015

You guys, it’s already 2015.

Where did 2014 go? It was a tough, but good, year for me. I started out living in a little, shitty apartment in Grand Rapids, MI, on my own after a really bad break up. It was a cold time. I watched a lot of Grey’s Anatomy and drank a lot of boxed wine. I also started this blog. I did a lot of house projects that taught me some good and not so good things about myself. I watched as people I didn’t know followed this little blog, and commented nice things, and it made me feel less cold.

Then, as spring started, I settled into a happy routine of work, friends, and family, and like most post-grads, realized I wasn’t pursuing any of my dreams. Even though I felt happy, I wasn’t being the type of creative I wanted to be. I’ve realized that, in a way, I was hiding behind this little blog – using it to make me feel like I was “writing” and growing, when really, I wasn’t.

So I took a trip to Denver, fell in love with the mountains, and moved here in August. I thought it was going to be magical and easy and fun, but in the words of some great someone: “wherever you go, there you are.” It’s been really hard, but worth it. It made me brave, and brought me some really great things I never expected.

Now, here I am. 2015. I need this year to be great. Not just an average, coping year. I want to write, and create, and learn new things about myself. I want to stay close to the people I love, and learn to love some new people too. Above all, I want to have a good time.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” -Maya Angelou

So here it is. My list of 101 Things I’m Doing in 2015:

1. Read Tolkien’s Silmarillion.
2. Submit at least one piece of work for publication each month.(1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12)
3. Print a collection of poems.
4. Take a painting class.
5. Take a sculpting/pottery class.
6. Subscribe to Writer’s Digest.
7. Get a professional head shot.
8. Travel out of the country.
9. Spend a week without social media.
10. Buy art and hang it.
11. Bake a loaf of bread [2014].
12. Go canoeing or kayaking [2014].
13. Go horseback riding [2014].
14. Get wet in a waterfall [2014].
15. Read something in print once a day.
16. Get business cards printed.
17. See a play, opera, or other theatrical production.
18. See the Atlantic Ocean.
19. Have This Little Space professionally designed or make customize-able and do yourself.
20. Have an address/birthday book.
21. Grow herbs.
22. Pay off credit card in full.
23. Host a dinner party.
24. Go skinny dipping.
25. Know how to make a fancy cocktail.
26. Collaborate with another writer or artist on a project.
27. Develop a minimalist wardrobe.
28. Get a record player.
29. Go camping for a weekend.
30. Buy a watch.
31. Get a tattoo.
32. Go dancing.
33. Make Denver friends.
34. Write a kickass MOH speech for Olivia’s wedding.
35. Sleep in a hammock.
36. Buy a new laptop.
37. Take good care of your vehicle.
38. Knit a wearable hat.
39. Hand-make valentines.
40. Get a professional massage.
41. Start a collection of records.
42. Dive off something.
43. Visit 10 local businesses and purchase something. (1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10)
44. Open a savings account.
45. Get glasses repaired.
46. Spend a weekend unplugged (no phone, no computer/internet).
47. Rent a beach house.
48. Make art you are proud of.
49. Travel to 3 new cities in America (Portland, Seattle, ?).
50. Finish a hard hike.
51. Send 12 handwritten notes/letters. (1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12)
52. Leave a poem on someone’s car.
53. Visit Denver Art Museum.
54. Donate money to a charity you care about.
55. Try a new recipe.
56. Start a recipe book.
57. Give five “just because” gifts. (1/2/3/4/5)
58. Have professional family photos taken.
59. Make amends.
60. Send someone flowers.
61. Spend a night at The Cove.
62. Get/build a new bookshelf.
63. Look into graduate school.
64. Ride a bicycle.
65. Buy a power tool.
66. Sign up for yoga classes (and go to them).
67. Get a yearly physical.
68. Get a yearly dental checkup.
69. Buy 20 new books. (1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20)
70. Stay up/out all night.
71. Play some sort of athletic game.
72. Run or go to the gym once a week.
73. Make an effort to become closer to family.
74. Volunteer (often).
75. See a band you love live.
76. Sleep under the stars.
77. Read your work out loud somewhere at least once.
78. Read a book by Edith Wharton.
79. Attend a literary or art event once a month. (1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12)
80. Get a job you love.
81. Pursue handlettering.
82. Start freelancing for writing and communications.
83. Go swimming.
84. Stay at a bed and breakfast.
85. Support local artists and creators.
86. Go wine tasting [2014].
87. Knit a scarf for someone [2014].
88. See Katy, Cassie, and Tara all together.
89. Cook a fancy dinner for someone.
90. Go to an outdoor farmer’s market.
91. Make homemade ice cream.
92. Buy a new pair of blue jeans.
93. Make homemade pickles.
94. Organize writing files into folders that make logical sense.
95. Sew something.
96. Start vehemently believing in yourself.
97. Knit a pair of socks.
98. Complete a cross stitch project.
99. Have a tea party [2014].
100. Interrupt other people less.
101. Finish this list.