I recently read an article on enjoying the age, rather than dreading that I’m getting older. I rather like that. My birthday is this month and I noticed that I am more old-school in some habits, which I think are for the better (like writing by hand). I’ve also set some new goals that I would like to see happen in the next several months.
Some of these dreams might not come to pass, but I’m going to do the very best I can to make sure that it does! I’ve tried to make these as specific as possible so that I can actually set goals for them, or keep doing them if they’re already a habit.
38. Hand write my first book drafts in a notebook
37. Eat vegetables with at least one meal every day (I don’t normally eat breakfast)
36. Start jogging at least two miles, 3-4 times a week
35. Get outside and walk (not errands) at least five days out of the week — even if it’s just for 5 minutes
34. Sit in silence
33. Capture at least 2-3 moments each week to enjoy, without rushing
32. Travel outside of my routine, even if it means biking to a park to read
31. Make a new friend and follow up on that first meeting
30. Explore a new place and write or draw about it, without posting it online
29. Try a new art medium and play around with a few pictures
28. Go to an escape room with at least 2 friends
27. Publish another book by next fall
26. Figure out a way to share my art with people
25. Write the beginnings of a new story (first draft)
24. Hike the entire Appalachian Trail (still a hope!)
23. Get out of the country (not sure how this will work right now, but always a good goal)
22. Meet my reading goal for 2025 (150 books)
21. Find a new favorite movie or TV show (or rewatch a series of one of my favorites)
20. Try a new flavor of ice cream
19. Go swimming at the Y at least 2 times
18. Keep up my book week each month (cutting out social media checks, tv)
17. Play piano at least twice a week for 30 minutes
16. Yoga 3-4 times during the week.
15. Aim to drink 64 oz. of water daily
14. Explore the hiking trails and parks nearby
13. Complete at least one sketch challenge
12. Finish my 52-week Bible study
11. Double my current art business sales
10. Try out at least two different climbing gyms
9. Save an extra $5-10,000 in savings for future travel
8. Have an entire conversation where I say nothing about myself (unless I’m asked directly); ask open-ended questions.
7. Go to a poetry reading or open mic night
6. Attend at least 5 silent book club meetings
5. Write a short story and read it out loud to a group
4. Paint at least 20 new art pieces
3. Keep a sketchbook for nature walks
2. Go on at least 3 dates
1-Color more