101 Things I’m Doing in 2016

Here’s a little list I keep for myself. The bold items are all from last year’s list (some are even from 2014, noted). Things that are crossed out have been accomplished.

1. Submit at least one piece of work for publication each month [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]
2. Print a collection of poems. 
3. Take a painting class.
4. Take a sculpting/pottery class.
5. Travel out of the country.
6. Go canoeing or kayaking [2014].
7. Go horseback riding [2014].
8. Get wet in a waterfall [2014].
9. Read twelve books.
   1. Yes Please by Amy Phoeler
   2. Mothers, Tell Your Daughters by Bonnie Jo Campbell
   3. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? And Other Concerns by Mindy Kaling
   4. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
   5. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
   6. Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
   7. Walking in this World: The Practical Art of Creativity by Julia Cameron
   8. Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
   9. State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
   10. The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
   11. Wild by Cheryl Strayed
   12. The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert
   13. The Spender’s Guide to Debt Free Living by Anna Newell Jones
10. See a play, opera, or other theatrical production.
11. See the Atlantic Ocean.
12. Have only one credit card.
13. Go skinny dipping.
14. Buy a watch and an alarm clock.
15. Sleep in a hammock.
16. Get a professional massage.
17. Start a collection of records.
18. Dive off something.
19. Get glasses repaired or get new ones.
20. Travel to 3 new cities in America.
21. Start a recipe book.
22. Send someone flowers.
23. Look into graduate school.
24. Buy a power tool.
25. Sign up for yoga classes (and go to them).
26. See a band you love live.
27. Sleep under the stars.
28. Read a book by Edith Wharton.
29. Stay at a bed and breakfast.
30. Go wine tasting [2014].
31. Make homemade ice cream.
32. Make homemade pickles.
33. Complete a cross stitch project.
34. Have a tea party [2014].
35. Learn how to knit socks with heels.
36. Learn how to knit mittens.
37. Volunteer and give money to one charity a month.
    1. January – Wildlife Rehab Center of Grand Rapids
    2. February – Well House
    3. March/April – Arbor Circle
    4. May – Grand Rapids Pride Center
    5. June/July – Grand Rapids Creative Youth Center
    6. August –
    7. September –
    8. October –
    9. November –
    10. December –
38. Schedule time for self every day (during which you can write, read, nap, blog, do any things that’s not working, etc).
39. No phone before 10AM or after 10PM.
40. Get a landline telephone.
41. Get a typewriter.
42. Schedule a friend date once a week.
43. Start a retirement account.
44. Get health insurance.
45. Put money in a savings account each paycheck.
46. Send letters every month.
47. Write and self-publish a small book or zine.
48. Host a Galentine’s Day Party.
49. Read “The Art of Tidying Up.”
50. Get a tattoo.
51. Learn how to poach an egg properly.
52. Study Russian or Polish.
53. Take a friendship trip.
54. Take a workshop (in tarot reading or something unexpected).
55. Visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
56. See a movie at Wealthy Theatre.
57. See a movie at the UICA.
58. Visit the Grand Rapids Public Library.
59. Go for a long hike.
60. Swim in Lake Michigan.
61. Buy a proper fitting bathing suit that makes you feel wonderful.
62. Buy pajamas for every night of the week that are beautiful.
63. Invest in beautiful undergarments.
64. Buy a pair of jeans that make you feel comfortable.
65. Purchase something from every small business on South Division.
66. Plant perennials.
67. Read your work out loud somewhere at least twice.
68. Spend a weekend at The Cove.
69. Go antiquing and buy something you really love, regardless of the price.
70. Make candles.
71. Hand-make everyone’s holiday gifts.
72. Bring someone lasagna when they need it.
73. Make a family tree.
74. Take photographs with something other than your phone and print them.
75. Buy an espresso machine and make lattes at home.
76. See a movie alone.
77. Go out to eat alone.
78. Go a week without watching any television.
79. Set up a better recycling/trash/compost system.
80. Get newspapers and read them.
81. Create a filing system that works.
82. Make a blanket.
83. Keep an address book.
84. Go dancing.
85. Ride on a ferry.
86. Finish reading Wabi Sabi book.
87. Install peg rail above kitchen sink for pots & pans storage.
88. Learn how to play harmonica.
89. Organize/redesign closet
90. Go on a date with Giselle once a month.
91. Be more selfish.
92. Go ice skating.
93. Bike to work.
94. Find a pen pal.
95. Get to know your neighbors.
96. Connect with other writers on a regular basis; exchange writing.
97. Eat more slowly and never have your phone out while eating.
98. Write more in journal.
99. Buy twelve brand new books for yourself. (1)
100. Take a small business class.
101. Finish this list.