trajectory of a life

On March 22, 2015, I set out to tackle 101 things in 1,001 days. Earlier this week, those 1,001 days expired. Throughout the time, I’ve posted many updates and made quite a few alterations to the list based on items that were no longer valid and/or doable. And, while I tended to focus on what still remained on the list during the process, as I wrap things up I’m making a shift.

Instead of dwelling on those items left unchecked, I’m choosing to celebrate the successes of the list — the first of which being a list like this to guide me a few years at a time. The second success is that I did complete more than half of the items (57!). And, while I’m still contemplating whether I’ll tackle another challenge of this nature (leaning toward yes), I’m going to take a bit of time off to appreciate the past 1,001 days and all of the boxes I checked.

(If you’d like to create a list of your own, check out dayzero.)

March 22, 2015 – Dec. 17, 2017

1.) come up with 101 things to do in 1001 days – March 2015

2.) visit Paris – June 2015

3.) post at least weekly on blog for one year – October 2015+

4.) pay off LC – February 2017

5.) serve as president of The Denver VOICE  – October 2015

6.) visit all 50 48 US states – October 2015

7.) get rid of PMI for mortgage – February 2017

8.) take public speaking classes speak/present at a conference – October 2015+

9.) go one month without shopping (except groceries) – multiple times

10.) write a list of 101 things I’ve already achieved in this lifetime

11.) write a living will – December 2017

12.) write + send 52 handwritten notes in one year – 2015

13.) give five “just because” presents

14.) build / pay for backyard patio – 2017

15.) attend three one INSP conferences – Scotland, 2015

16.) start practicing piano again – 2016

17.) unplug for 24 48+ hours – September 2017

18.) fall in love again – April 2017

19.) plant a window herb garden – 2016

20.) try a new fitness class – many

21.) have a spa day – September 2017

22.) take an outdoor yoga class – Paris, June 2015

23.) teach someone something new – many

24.) host a brunch beer party – July 2017

25.) join a meditation group – MBSR, 2017

26.) watch three classic movies I’ve never seen: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Godfather, Star Wars – 2016, 2017

27.) take a career risk – 2016

28.) leave a 100% tip – many

29.) complete major declutter effort + get rid of extra stuff – many iterations

30.) fill + complete one journal – 2017

31.) save a three-month emergency fund – 2017

32.) attend therapy for one year – 2015, 2016

33.) dry month (no alcohol) – 2015, 2016

34.) do not check work phone/email during a vacation – many

35.) complete one thing from my someday/bucket list – write in Paris, 2015

36.) create my manifesto – 2016

37.) go sans snooze button for one week – many

38.) say yes to something I wouldn’t do typically – many

39.) publish 101 things to blog + update as I complete – 2017

40.) take a spontaneous trip (no planning) – San Diego, 2017

41.) create a list of blog post ideas – 2016

42.) finish 2013 migration project (work) – 2016

43.) take a picture to represent letters all letters of the alphabet A – J – 2017

44.) successfully complete one dietbet challenge (4% in 4 weeks) – 2016

45.) form a healthyier relationship with food + mindful eating – 2015, 2016, 2017

46.) design + create my own planner – 2017

47.) take an art class – many

48.) eat at one of the top 50 restaurants in the world – 2017

49.) visit four national parks – Yellowstone, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain – 2015, 2016, 2017

50.) visit three seven new countries – 2015, 2016, 2017

51.) wake up before 6 a.m. each day for a week – many times

52.) research + record family history – completed 23 and Me for the DNA side of things + discovered/read history of maternal grandfather’s family

53.) get involved with Yoga for the People – attended committee meeting, decided not a good fit

54.) take + finish a series of apothecary classes – many

55.) write a new 101 in 1001 list after finishing this one – forthcoming

56.) make a snow angel — 2016, in a dress!

57.) celebrate completing 101 things in 1001 days – 2017

Updates: Original post, October 2015, January 2017, August 2017