101 Things in 1001 Days

Being bored absolutely sucks.

But, if there's one thing I've realized this past month being home, sometimes you just need to suck it up, accept your circumstances, and move forward. It took me a while to realize that this time at home is actually awesome. One day I just kind of realized that I can do whatever I want to do. I can plan things, try new things I've never done before, and be on Pinterest for hours on end (and boy have I).

One day last week, I was aimlessly scrolling through Facebook--as I do pretty much 24/7--and I read a fantastic article posted and written by my friend and sister in Chi Omega, Sharon. The topic? Her decision to begin experimenting with makeup and incorporating it into her daily routine. As Sharon describes in her article, she started incorporating makeup into her daily routine as part of a greater challenge: "101 Things in 1001 Days".

I read the article Sharon linked in her article describing the challenge, and was instantly inspired. There are many beautiful aspects to this challenge: firstly, you have 1001 days to complete it. That is roughly (according to my handy-dandy calculator) 2.74246575 years. Almost 3 years. I don't know about you, but that seems like a more realistic time span to complete larger goals and to change habits. This excited me because every year, I make New Year's Resolutions in January, and easily become disappointed come November/December because I haven't accomplished nearly everything I wanted to.

Additionally, you get to completely customize the challenge to your lifestyle. You choose everything and anything you want to complete. The only hard part is actually brainstorming 101 things. It went quickly at first, then slowed a bit for me. But, behold, I brainstormed 101 things, and began. Thank you so much for inspiring me to to complete this challenge, Sharon! I hope I am able to inspire others as you have inspired me.

Start date: January 29th, 2015

End date: October 26th, 2017

In no particular order of significance, here is my list:
(*purple=in progress*)

Health & Fitness:

1) start doing yoga regularly

2) meditate for 10 minutes each day

I will *litrally* be so zen.

3) lose 30 lbs.

4) complete a half marathon

5) put lotion on my arms every night

6) work out at least 4 days/week (exception: vacation)

7) go rock climbing in an indoor gym

8) go without coffee for a week

9) go without meat for a week

10) floss daily for 2 weeks straight

11) go 2 weeks without drinking soda

12) go 24 hours without using any form of social media

13) go without unhealthy food for a month

14) actually learn how to ride my longboard

15) get at least 8 hours of sleep a night for 2 weeks

16) take a swing dancing class
17) weight train at least 3 days per week

If you wanna see how uncoordinated I am, take the class with me!

DIY/Arts & Crafts:

18) learn how to be a better photographer

19) finish sewing my quilt

20) learn how to weave

21) learn how to screen print

22) learn how to play the guitar

23) start a cactus garden

24) sew a kimono cardigan

25) do a 30-day photo challenge

26) write a piece for HelloGiggles.com

27) grow a plant from seeds & keep it alive

28) create a new inspiration board

29) learn how to do a french braid

30) do something creative with my old concert t-shirts

31) sew at least 10 pieces of clothing for myself

It's time to fire up the sweat shop again!

32) finish Nyan Cat cross stitch

33) learn how to do a fishtail braid

34) learn how to use Adobe Illustrator

35) learn how to use Photoshop

36) learn how to make pottery on a wheel

37) press flowers in books

38) learn how to curl my hair with a curling iron

39) learn how to paint with oil paints

40) learn how to bind books

Travel:

41) go to a music festival

42) visit Victoria in New Jersey

43) visit Phoebe in Colorado

44) go on a trip with friends

Photo credit: Winnie :)

45) go on a trip alone

46) visit a new country

47) visit 5 new U.S. cities

48) go to Mood Fabrics in NYC

49) visit London again

50) go on a road trip somewhere

Wake me up, before you go go.

51) go camping

52) visit Victoria in Wisconsin

53) go on "The Price is Right"

Organization: 

54) write at least 1 blog post a week

55) get sewing machines tuned up

56) organize study abroad photos & souvenirs

57) repair all vintage cameras √

58) get at least 5 new blog followers

This has nothing to do with getting organized, I just really like this GIF.

Cooking:

59) learn how to bake naan

60) go wine tasting

61) take a cooking class

62) throw a dinner party

63) cook Rachael's rice wrap recipe from Tahoe

64) learn how to cook something other than pasta & stir fry
65) try a new ethnicity of food

No explanation needed.

Confidence Boosting:

66) get a manicure once a month & a pedicure once every 2-3 months

67) sing in a karaoke bar

68) write a letter about life to future Sydney

69) feel confident wearing a bikini

70) take a selfie every day for 1001 days

I promise I'm not a narcissist. I just want to do this so at the end of this challenge I can see how I've physically changed over the years. 

71) give my number to a random, cute guy

72) take another pole dancing class

73) invest in nice lingerie

74) wear at least one risky outfit per week

75) make a list of positive things about myself every day for a month

76) inspire someone to complete this challenge

Fun Stuff:

77) compile a notebook of my favourite lyrics

78) go to at least 10 concerts 

79) go apple picking

80) go to a New Year's Eve party & kiss someone at midnight

I mean, this is what usually happens, so...

81) watch all of the Star Wars movies

82) visit a new neighbourhood of Chicago once a month until graduation

83) get another piercing

84) watch at least 5 new T.V. shows

85) buy a new record every 1-2 months

Education:

86) read at least 10 books

87) get a 4.0 at least one quarter before graduating 

88) visit an art museum at least once every 3 months

89) graduate from Northwestern with a major in Psychology, a minor in Art History, & a certificate in Integrated Marketing

Adulthood:

90) put $25 into savings every month

91) move into my own apartment

92) buy stock in a company

93) land at least one new client for CivitasNow

94) collect all loose change in a jar

Fake it 'til you make it.

Helping the World & Improving My Soul:

95) become more involved in Chi Omega

96) reconnect with an old friend

97) volunteer at least once a month (animal shelter, nursing home, planting trees, etc.)

98) go to church at least once a month

99) genuinely compliment a stranger once a week

100) pray at least every other day

101) adopt a shelter dog

So, there you have it, folks! I realize some of the things on my list may be embarrassing or stupid or trivial, or maybe even impossible to achieve; but I don't care. I love my list and I'm so ready to complete these things. I'll update this blog post over the next 1001 days, so keep checking back to see my progress. And hey, if you want to do anything on this list with me, gimme a ring! (Or, you know, a text message/Facebook message/carrier pigeon, whatevs).

It's time for me to take control of my life. I actually want to seize the days of my life instead of just pinning cute "Carpe Diem" prints on Pinterest. 

It's time to kick some "101 Things in 1001 Days Challenge" ass.

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"We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are."

-Max DePree