THIRTY-THREE

Yesterday I turned thirty-three. There's something about birthday's that are refreshing. It's a new start, a new year, a chance to try again or try something entirely new. Thirty-three feels weird, though. I'm not in my early thirties, not in my mid-thirties, either; I don't feel old, but I don't feel young. How did I get to this age already? Didn't I just turn 26 a few days ago? I have a great life, I'm privileged and thank my lucky stars for each and every day. Too often, though, I feel like I'm spending too much time working on my professional life, and not enough time working on my personal life. I have a lot of things I want to do, learn, see, and experience, and I think my thirty-third year is as good as any to shift some of my priorities and start spending some more time on me.

THIRTY-THREE THINGS TO DO IN MY THIRTY-THIRD YEAR (in no particular order)

1. Take more time to document and reflect on my life (on this blog, for instance)
2. Read one book a month
3. Learn to use my DSLR camera
4. Knit a pair of socks
5. Start a radio show with Jaime
6. Visit Dylan in Victoria
7. Complete at least 10 "men's" push-ups in one go
8. Go to bed earlier
9. Wake up earlier
10. See one live performance, exhibit or film/week that is unrelated to work
11. Spend more time nurturing my friendships
12. Move/exercise for at least 30 min everyday (walking counts!)
13. Continue taking my sewing classes
14. Put away my laundry right after it comes out of the dryer
15. Learn to say, "no" (and mean it!)
16. Tackle gluten free baking
17. Host a meal once a month
18. Learn to make sushi
19. Plan a dream vacation
20. Call my brothers every week
21. Visit my grandmothers more often
22. Put on make-up everyday (because it makes me feel good!)
23. Redecorate my bedroom
24. Take at least two long-weekend trips with Paul
25. Keep my car clean
26. Explore Alberta
27. Get healthy, which really means focusing on my weight loss
28. Help Paul get his moustache wax business off the ground
29. Keep a regular food journal
30. Create (and follow) a weekly cleaning schedule at home
31. Buy and fix-up a used camper
32. Ask for help when I need it
33. Start a wine club

Is this list ridiculous? Maybe (especially the weekly cleaning schedule...), but I don't think there's really anything on here that I can't accomplish with a little patience, perseverance, time and planning.