2012 Bucket List!

So I have this tradition... In 2009, I celebrated the new year with my close friend Casey, and together we crafted "Bucket Lists" of things we hoped to accomplish that year. I loved it. New Year's resolutions stuck me as half-assed attempts at changing oneself. It was almost negative: what is wrong about me that I ought to change (but don't really want to).

But the lists were different. They were optimistic, and proactive. It was less about What can I improve about myself? and more What can I hold myself accountable for? What can I accomplish this year?

There are some big things—highlights include "Go to college" (2009), "Go to Europe" (2009, 2010), "Start a blog" (2010)—but I balance them out with smaller items that are still great experiences. It's all about being realistic about what I can do that year. By putting a few big items on the list, I hold myself accountable.

And not everything gets crossed off. Throughout the year, my wants and goals change. But the point is to write it down. As I learned from my mother, unless I write it down, shit don't get done.

Check out the full list.

The Year in Review

2011 started with my moving to Manhattan to work at Marie Claire.

As 2012 approaches, I reflect on the past 12 months. Sometimes, last Christmas seems likes a lifetime ago, and other times, I feel like so little time has passed. But it's been a full year when I think about everything that has happened.

I moved to New York and worked for six months at Marie Claire. I explored the city and spent a week in the Bahamas. I moved back to Boston and lived off campus (my first big girl apartment!). I worked at LOFT and am in a great relationship. I also dyed my hair about a dozen different colors.

But then we had three deaths in the family, and a could friends as well. Only one was from old age. We've faced financial stress and law suits, and the general crappy-ness of some people. It's been a challenging year, but we'll grow from it all, as well.

Click for more to see what I crossed off from my 2011 Bucket List.

2011 Bucket List (and Update)

So I've mentioned my bucket list a couple times on here already, so I figured I'd re-post it.

Basically... I’m not a believer in New Year’s resolutions. I just think they tend to revolve too much around losing weight and looking better and petty bullpucky that sparks a temporary spike in gym and diet industry revenues and doesn’t budge the scale a notch. Plus, I’m don’t have enough will power to diet, so I take a different approach to the New Year.

I write a lot of lists. When something gets onto a list (and the list gets organized and color-coded as necessary), things get done. My annual bucket list is a proactive approach to the New Year; I'm not trying to change anything or do anything ridiculously drastic. I'm just challenging myself to try new things and since it's all written down (and posted on the Internet), I'm held accountable.

Rather than doing a life bucket list--which is so far reaching and difficult to tackle--I do annual ones. That way, there is a finite deadline. This is my third bucket list and the last two years have been extremely successful. Each year, I have one or two big things and several other smaller--but no less significant--things. I challenge myself to have a longer list every year.

My 2011 Bucket List is below, along with notes and updates. A month and a half in, I've got 1/10 done. Not bad, but some of the biggies are still on there. If you feel a burning need to help me accomplish any or just want to share ideas, let me know!! I've also inspired other people (friends, Mom, Dad) to write their own lists. When you put them online, old friends come out of the woodwork dying to help you accomplish a goal or to share their own passions with you. What's on your bucket list??

1. Move to New York.
2. Do something crazy.
3. Visit the South.
4. Dance on a table.
5. Host a dinner party.
6. Write a letter to a political figure.
7. Raise $500 for a charity. [working on it!! Donate to my RELAY FOR LIFE team!]
8. Sing karaoke.
9. Send poetry in to get published.
10. Find the best coffee house in the city.
11. See a show.
12. Try speed dating.
13. Learn to photograph.
14. Buy myself a Michael Kors watch.
15. Spend a weekend in D.C.
16. Take a roadtrip.
17. Find an excuse to wear a tiara.
18. Read 5 books on my list.
19. Design an outfit.
20. Make business cards.
21. Volunteer a week in Costa Rica.
22. See Austin.
23. Have a shower beer.
24. Perfect my dougie.
25. Have frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity III.
26. Go to a concert.
27. Skinny dip.
28. Spend a Sunday volunteering with The Breakfast Club.
29. Picnic in Central Park.
30. Toast our Sep. apartment with champagne.
31. Skateboard to class.
32. Get a Boston Athenaeum membership.
33. Go to a BRUINS game.
34. Go to the top of the Empire State Building.
35. Slow dance.
36. Visit every Manhattan bridge. [work in progress]
37. Learn something new.
38. Have lunch on the Staten Island Ferry.
39. Wear fake eyelashes.
40. Waitress.
41. Have three differently themed dinner parties.
42. Buy myself some letters.
43. Visit Canada.
44. Get better at French.
45. Send Amanda a care package.
46. Take a dance class.
47. Spend a day on the beach.
48. Watch all the epic movies that I never did. [I got a Netflix account :) send me suggestions]
49. Plant an herb garden.
50. Write my number on a bathroom stall.
51. Help make Thanksgiving dinner.
52. Send in a Postsecret.
53. Write a note and leave it in a book.
54. Learn to master a stick shift.
55. Do a cartwheel.
56. Kiss someone under the mistletoe.
57. Pay for the person behind me in a drive thru.
58. Sneak someone into the Webster.
59. Get a massage.
60. Bartend.
61. Create a poster memorializing random quotes.
62. Take a CPR course.
63. Take a ride in a town car.
64. Make something for the apartment.
65. Start a journal (again).
66. Create a drink.
67. Give someone a piggy back ride.
68. Shake hands with the Editor in Chief.
69. Take myself on a date.
70. Talk someone into going to school.
71. Buy myself a dress without a reason to wear it.
72. Find a place to wear said dress.
73. Dress like Jackie O.
74. Play an intramural sport.
75. Try a new Ben N Jerrys flavor.
76. Blog once per week. [more like 5x a day]
    
77. Get to know someone in every Greek organization.
78. Force a guy to come over and put up shelves (ha).
79. Start a tradition.
80. Read every night M-Th.