Yesterday was my birthday, and I am officially 24! Everyone went above and beyond to make it a great day for me, and I’m so grateful for my family, friends, and students who did everything to make it special! I am already feeling like this is going to be a year full of changes. I decided that, in honor of today, I wanted to create a list of 24 things I want to do before 25. This can be something I’ll reflect on for my next birthday, and I want to see how much I can accomplish within the year. Besides, 4 is my favorite number, so this already feels like a lucky year.
Coat is the L.L. Bean Barn Coat (A fall staple – flannel lined!) and sweater is the L.L. Bean Mixed-Cable Turtle Neck in Basil Heather! Absolutely love both items. I’m head over heels for my new J.Crew boots that my parents gave me for my birthday (Along with this sweater and jeans!)
- Buy a car. This is something that will probably *have* to happen at some point, but I would realllllly love my own car. I’ve been sharing with my Dad since moving home to Connecticut, which has worked fine. But, I think I’m ready to make that adult-ish purchase within the year.
- Get a job. I probably should’ve made this number one, to be honest. This year, I want to find a teaching job. I’m really excited about what I’m doing, and love student teaching. However, this September, I’m hoping to finally have my own classroom!
- Get an apartment. I probably talk about this with Jake on a daily basis. I love my family, and my house, but I’m looking forward to the two of us having our own place this year! Plus, I can’t wait to decorate and show you all my ideas. 🙂
- Learn how to cook something new. I’m even considering a cooking class (Once I knock #2 off the list…)! To be honest, I’m not a chef by any means and I think it would be a lot of fun to get a little better at the craft. Hopefully, without burning myself in the process.
- Make a new friend. This sounds silly – but new friends are always nice, and I feel like every year I find someone new that I love to be around. I’ve found that a lot of my coworkers are awesome people, and it’s always great to broaden your circle of people.
- Go on a road trip. Jake, Pj and I keep talking about taking a road trip next summer. I used to think I would hate the idea, but they’ve both convinced me. I just need to take a lot of dramamine and let Pj take control of the playlist. I’m in it for the food!
- Sing karaoke. I’ve always been a *singer* but I don’t really do it like I used to. I feel like I have the type of friend group whose perfect for a night of karaoke, but we’ve never done it together. I’m just waiting for my movie moment 😉
- Post more frequently. I want to start posting three blog posts a week by the end of the year. I think this is going to be a lot more doable once I get my masters in December. I have so much material for you all, and I want to work on putting it out faster!
- Start journaling again. I think journaling was really therapeutic for me. I used to do it every night, and I’m not as diligent about that as I used to be. I think if I *make* myself do it before bed every night again, I would probably feel a lot better and significantly less stressed.
- Save more money. As a grad student, I definitely think about this a lot. However, I know it’s doable (especially when the paychecks are back), but I’m looking forward to seeing that $$$$.
- Have a sister weekend. I feel like my two sisters need a weekend just the three of us (sorry boys) and I feel like we should make sure we find a way to do it ASAP!
- New blog Plans. I have a lot of *big* plans for the blog, and I’m looking to put some of them in action within the year. I can’t wait to get moving on some of these, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what you guys think!
- Travel to a new country. I know, I know. I already have road trip plans. But I would love to travel to a new country this year. I’ve been to both Ireland and Portugal (I’m 40% Irish!) Maybe I should make us drive to Canada?
- Start eating breakfast. To be honest, I think I should maybe be having more than coffee in the morning before work. I logically know that it would boost my metabolism, and maybe even make me feel better. But I h a t e breakfast food. I’ve tried so many times. Poor Jake will never get a good breakfast date out of me. I basically like Cheerios and maybe a banana. MAYBE. I think part of it is that I start work too early. Regardless, I’m making this a goal for the year. Will it stick or happen at all? Probably not.
- Get contacts. This past January, I got glasses. They’re great! I don’t get terrible headaches anymore! They’re pretty cute! But I hate that my makeup gets on them and sometimes I don’t feel like wearing them. I feel like they get dirty so easily, and sometimes I can’t stand it. I’m wondering if maybe contacts would be a good fit for me, and I would love to try it this year. I would still probably wear my glasses sometimes, but I would love a new option.
- Learn how to do more with my hair. I’m so unbelievably boring when it comes to my hair. I never curl it or braid it because I always think I do a terrible job of it. I would love to learn more hair tricks this year to make me feel better about my overall *look* when it comes to my hair.
- Stop bad habits. Just, stop.
- Develop a better face routine. I want to find a skin care routine that really really works. I have such sensitive skin – and a lot of products I love to use. However, I’ve had more reactions than ever lately, and I feel like I need to develop more of a routine to make my skin feel better than ever.
- Find ways to relax. I want to find more ways to relax. I’v considered meditation, but I don’t think I would like it. I had to try it for a class once, and I could not stay still and used to write in my planner while everyone had their eyes closed. Which is, actually, quite telling. Regardless, I need to chill out. Naps…?
- Take exercise more seriously. That skin care routine needs to be paired with a more regular exercise routine. Maybe I should be putting my athleisure trend to better use? I thought I wanted to do Zumba, and maybe I still do….I think it would be a lot more fun for me if I had a friend to go with. Maybe that new friend I’ll meet this year?
- Practice driving in the city. City traffic makes me so stressed. I really want to work on this, as it’s probably something I’ll need to do more often, and I feel like it’s something I should throw myself into. Although I don’t really want to at all and I find even the idea of it a bit stressful. Maybe scratch this one too as overly hopeful (right next to “breakfast everyday”) ?
- Buy myself a nice camera. I would love to invest in the blog and buy myself a nice camera for Jake and I to use. I may need to wait until closer to the end of the year, and I’m not quite sure what I want yet. However, I think it would be a lot of fun for us to have a nice camera to work with to get our material!
- Read more books. I tell my students that my “reading goal” for the year is to read more of what they are reading – and it’s true! I’m in the process of reading the Percy Jackson series and I would love to keep reading more of what they love. I want to find the time to read more frequently for sure.
- Go to a spa. I’ve never been, and wanna treat myself. I’m talking FULL ON SPA. This sounds delightful.
Whoo! This is 24!!!
What do you want to do before your next birthday?
