1001 Days Later

Wow, that sounds like a long time, and it is and it isn't. In my 32 years of life (12005 days) it is only a glimpse. Why am I even talking about it? It was a goal setting exercise I took part in - the Day Zero Project (101 in 1001). There are other similar ones, such as #100happydays that I have also done - I enjoy accomplishing things, I'm a doer, so getting things done helps keep me happy and healthy. Obviously not everyone is wired this way (I think few people are similar to me, the more that I learn about personality traits), but goals work for me.

I tried, I succeeded, I didn't complete (yet!) my 101. I am trying to be okay with completing 82/101 (81.2%). I am also deciding that at some point I will complete the remaining 19. I'm trying to not make excuses and to still keep these on my radar. I definitely wasn't solely thinking about these, as I have accomplished other goals over the last 1001 days. A lot has changed in my life since June 7, 2013, that's for sure, so this is even a great mindfulness check-in. I've travelled, became a mom, moved into a new house, and survived into my 6th year of self-employment (among other things).

However, the ones that remain are (because having them in one place will help me focus!):

6 - go on a girl's weekend trip (non-work related...)
7 - play a round of golf with my husband (summer 2016?)
10 - put aside $10 for each task accomplished (82/110)
15 - meditate every day for one month
31 - create our will (I jotted notes)
32 - create our health directives (I jotted notes)
33 - try snowboarding
34 - go skating
35 - go cross country skiing
47 - build a sand castle (summer 2016?)
64 - update my 'places I've been' Pinterest board (ongoing...)
77 - visit a new country...(summer 2016?)
80 - learn where all 50 states are on a map of the USA (working on it, I know all 50 now at least!)
81 - don't watch TV or Netflix for a month (summer 2016?)
82 - don't eat out for 2 months (summer 2016?)
84 - complete the 365 project (a picture a day for a year) (I may have done this, but it wasn't intentional)
86 - don't complain for 1 week ( hope I did, but I wanted to be aware & track at least one...)
96 - kiss in the rain (again, I probably did, but not mindfully for this list!)
101 - get a second tattoo (have it picked out)

I think I can knock a few off this summer if I keep them on my mind or add them to my endless to-do lists. I also have new ideas, such as a one sentence journal (suggested by Gretchen Rubin) and I've learned to focus on gratitude, being curious, being present, and unplugging more often - so those will stay with me forever, sort of my pillars for health, happiness, and habits. I still have stacks of books that I intend to read, movies to watch, blogs to write, recipes to try, places to see, and basically lots of life to experience!

How is your 2016 going? Are you working on a goal(s), how's it going?

Cheers,
Here's to you and all you dream of accomplishing :)

Steph Langdon, RD
www.nutrishus.com

Reverse Bucket List

I discovered this concept awhile ago on Pinterest and thought it was worth checking out. I looked at a few blogs and it is pretty much what I thought it would be - not a list of aspirations or things to do, but a list of things you've already done. I did also find some people making lists of things they never want to do.

Since 2015 is drawing to a close and I focused on gratitude in October, I thought this would be a good exercise for myself. I was also reminded of the quote that I have next to my bed (see below) and a recent comment, "it's not the pursuit of happiness, but the creation of happiness".

This isn't meant to be a brag list, but a reminder to myself of the amazing life I've already had. Some things are big and some are small, but they're what came to mind when I created this (they're in no particular order) and they may help you to know me a little bit more. 

We tend to have high expectations for ourselves, yet if you're like me, you forget that you're already pretty great. This fits well with my own insecurities and need for accomplishment (because this is a 'to-do' list that's already done!). Read my list, think what you think, and then perhaps create your own reverse bucket list (nothing is insignificant), before you start making goals for 2016. I decided to aim for 50 as that's what I saw other people doing. 

Reverse Bucket List

1. Have a child/become a mother

2. Receive a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, with distinction 

3. Get married

4. Start a business 

5. Jump out of a plane

6. Backpack around Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama

7. Play pro volleyball in Finland

8. See the Pope's Christmas address live in the Vatican

9. See a NBA game live

10. Ski in the mountains in Canada and the USA

11. Play volleyball for my country

12. Get paid to play sports

13. Eat sushi in Japan

14. Walk through Red Square

15. Go up the Eiffel Tower

16. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge

17. Visit the west and east coast of Canada

18. Ride an elephant

19. Own property

20. Go on a Napa/Sonoma wine tour

21. Try surfing

22. Shoot an AK47 and a glock

23. Dip into a lake in the middle of winter

24. Play 5 years for my university volleyball team

25. Swim with dolphins

26. Be debt free

27. Travel to Southeast Asia

28. Butcher a pig

29. Make creme brulee

30. Work a retail job

31. Learn to enjoy running

32. Learn to like wine

33. Rescue a dog

34. Learn to enjoy coffee

35. Inspire others

36. Fly first class

37. Go to an all-inclusive

38. Go across the Golden Gate Bridge

39. Walk through Central Park

40. See a live performance of The Nutcracker Ballet

41. Take a cooking class

42. Fall in love

43. Get a tattoo

44. Witness a Blood Moon

45. Smoke a cigar

46. Learn origami

47. Eat pizza in Italy

48. Learn to play the oboe

49. Be a bridesmaid

50. Receive an art award

...and on and on. 

Be grateful this holiday season,

Cheers,

Steph Langdon, RD

www.nutrishus.com