As I marked the one year anniversary of the blog and was looking back I also decided to stop and look forward. I am 40 years old, but in so many ways feel it has been a drop in the bucket of time. When I look at returning to paid work I remind myself that I still have a good 20-30 years of work ahead of me – plenty of time to do great things. When I look at my family I see 18 years with my husband, children settled in primary school, newly received citizenship grounding us for the first time. And yet along with the grounding I see potential, dreams, possibilities.
I often see 30 before 30 lists and even some 40 before 40′s for ambitious souls facing a fast approaching birthday. I decided I wanted my own life list, but one focused on the after – there is no pressure to get things done before a certain age, life is a journey and I just want to list some of the destinations I have in mind. I have even left openings at the end of the list for those things I cannot even conceive of just now.
I think the theme for me right now for the second half of the year is slowing myself down and setting intentions. No pressure, no rush, but stop letting the days fly by. Here is my list and I am starting with making my own sushi (#16) and finally picked up the mats yesterday along with some pickled ginger for hubby. I got the final push to do it when my current issue of Australian Good taste magazine arrived on my ipad and had a huge feature on making sushi. When the universe pushes I agree to jump.
- Take glass blowing classes
- Travel through Russia
- Visit Morocco
- Brush up on my Italian, French and Spanish (so much lost already from those years of study), preferably on future trips to the In-laws and friends, possibly from a period of living in Europe
- Fill an entire art journal – no expectations, freedom and possibility
- Go on a bike ride with hubby and the kids -have not been on a bike in 10 years
- Sew a skirt, curtains for my office and comfortably craft at last
- Finally figure out my “apple” products –I refuse to be technology challenged forever
- Get eye laser treatment and be free of glasses and contacts
- Post- eye treatment finally try water sports with my husband
- Show the girls where my husband and I met (Israel)
- Write a book on Post Natal Depression (and get it published)
- Decide what I want to be when I grow up – and do it!
- Volunteer in Africa, and travel overland throughout in old Land Cruiser
- Cruise around Alaska
Make my own sushidone Sept 2012- Perfect making Asian dumplings (in progress – have made them several times now, not quite done learning, but getting there)
- Travel through the Rajasthani region of India
Sing Karaoke and not die of embarrassment – I am 100% tone deafdone Nov 2012 and again February 2013.- Drive around Australia with the family (6 months out of school)
- Run 10km – in a race or on my own
Adopt a dog (or 2) from a shelter -done January 2013 and we love Evie so much.- Live in a house with a wrap- around porch + porch swing
- Indulge in a helicopter tour of somewhere fabulous – over NYC, a volcano, the Great Barrier Reef or somewhere I have yet to discover
- Set foot on all 7 continents (2 to go)
Visit 9/11 memorial sitewith my Uncle done November 2012 (not with my Uncle unfortunately)- Try geocaching with the kids
- Go on a holiday alone with my husband just like when we were young
- Witness the turtle nesting and hatching that happen here in Queensland
- Complete 5 full embroidery projects to display at home or give as gifts
- Find a hairstyle I can actually maintain AND love
- Buy a hammock and spend countless hours swaying with my hubby and kids or in solo contemplation
Take my kids to see snow for the first time while they are still young enough to be mesmerized and have fun until they are soaking wetdone December 2012 – on our trip to the States it actually snowed during dinner on Christmas Eve and my kids ran outside in bare feet they were so excited to build the world’s smallest snowman (and do snow angels on a cm of snow)- Try hypnosis
- Learn to speak less and listen more
- Spaces
- To be
- Filled
- As I grow
- And set new goals
What would you put on your life list? have you created one?
Find your simple,
Deb
It’s Tuesday and around here that means linking up with Dairy of a SAHM for IBOT
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a list somewhere, but the main things I want to do are take burlesque lessons and see the Northern Lights
tattoomummy recently posted..This Is Ted
both would be awesome – the school where my 9yo does dance offers burlesque classes for women -sounds like fun (i am so uncoordinated though)
Debra Dane recently posted..Intentional Living – with free daily planner printable
What I love about this Deb is that I can see you through the whole list – you’ve made it for you not with anyone else’s expectations.
I’ve never tried sushi let alone made it.
Thanks Anneleis! I hope you try sushi sometime as it is yum and there really is something for everyone (you don’t have to eat raw fish if you don’t want that). Thinking Sunday will be the day since it is Father’s day and the girls would love to make it for daddy with me.
Debra Dane recently posted..5 things you can do today to start eating healthier
I love your list – I was 40 last year too. One big thing on my list is travel – Italy, France and UK on the top of my list and to learn to speak Italian. I will have to come up with some more !
Sonia @ Natural New Age Mum recently posted..Healthy Father’s Day Food !
When we went o’seas in 2010 those were 3 of our 5 countries. Italian is my favourite language – i studied Spanish in High School and French for my degree, but Italian I took just for pleasure and loved it – i hope you get to Italy – i would live there in a heartbeat!
Debra Dane recently posted..30 things that I love about me (and my life)
An interesting list Deb and totally sounds like you!
I had to google ‘geocaching’….that has to be loads of fun.
As for making sushi – I learn’t two years ago and it was so much easier than I had anticipated. Now I sometimes wish I could unlearn to reduce the number of requests I get from friends and family to make my sushi!!
kirri recently posted..Rockin’ Mamma interview with Melissa Smith
I hope it goes well – we did have a lesson at my friend’s house when she heard I had not done it yet – fun when someone else has prepped everything LOL – am organizing it for this Sunday for father’s day dinner – need to brainstorm shopping list with the kids.
let’s go geocaching together sometime ; )
Debra Dane recently posted..Return to work series {Job Interviews 101}
what a fab list
this reminds me of a great website I used to be on called 43things.com have you heard of it? basically it’s a place you write lists about anything you want to do and connect with other people who have the same goals. Thanks for reminding me of it I think I am going to head over and create a new list.
yes i know it – great site! have fun making your list – i might make one there just for travel (could have done 40 things for travel alone!)
Debra Dane recently posted..Intentional Living – with free daily planner printable
what a fabulous list!! I like the life list.. I approached 30 too fast to do a 30 list..
I definitely want to do a life list
you have been visited by a member of #teamIBOT
Yvette Bowyer recently posted..welcome the treasure tent
Thanks Yvette – have fun making your list too!
Debra Dane recently posted..65+ ideas to help you find your fitness passion
I can’t believe you have only been blogging for a year. What a wonderful successful blog you have created. Rachel x
#teamIBOT was here x
Rachel recently posted..5 things that annoyed me yesterday and 5 things that didn’t
Thanks rachel – it feels like more than a year sometimes…
Debra Dane recently posted..Intentional Living – with free daily planner printable
Oh I love this list! I did number 9 and 21 last week (not on the same day)!!
Bec recently posted..Life challenge – week 28 – cleaning
wow you lucky girl – am a little jealous of both #s – my time will come (probably the eyes first since they only cost sweat and tears rather than cash!)
Debra Dane recently posted..Grateful for my mind shift
I’m starting a list. So far I have shooting on it. I’m going to a rifle range in October (and possibly Rio Olympics – may as well dream big, I say!). I also have geochaching with the kids on mine. And score girl at the roller derby, but I’m building up the courage to organise that one…
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..What I learnt from Total Recall:
definitely dream big! my 9yo had to do an oral report on a sport from the olympics and was assigned shooting so it was nice to learn about a sport we did not already know the rules. good luck!
Debra Dane recently posted..65+ ideas to help you find your fitness passion
Yes, it doesn’t get a whole lot of coverage here…I might steal your 40 after 40 list name though, for my list…even though it’s currently only 3 things….
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Home, Home on the Gun Range
My eldest daughter started making sushi when she was about 10 – it was easy and she really enjoyed it. So did I when we had to entertain and I could ask her to make a platter of sushi! You know, I haven’t created a list like yours, I feel like I am focused on the next year and that is about all I can think about! But the one thing I want to do more of is travel. If that is my only goal for the rest of my life I’ll be happy
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right recently posted..A different approach to curfews
i could be happy with that goal too – i had to limit myself or the whole list would have been places and travel experiences
Debra Dane recently posted..30 things that I love about me (and my life)
Oh, this list. It is too much. I am sitting here getting teary at all the amazing things you want to do! So so good!
You have great dreams Deb, go and do them! I look forward to reading all about your adventures!
B recently posted..Drawing: Draw Me September + Printable
thanks so much B – i like that i have a whole lifetime to do them but don’t want to wait to get started (you never know how long a life you will have)
Debra Dane recently posted..5 things you can do today to start eating healthier
Such an amazing list !!! I really hope you get to do all those things and then some. Such a good idea to have a list and tick it off as you accomplish them.
xx Meagan
Meagan recently posted..Taking a leap of sorts.
Thanks Meagan – and so happy to discover your blog today
Debra Dane recently posted..Simplify your life {Week 35 Rest and Relaxation}
Wonderful list Deb. Sounds like a lot of travelling to come in the future!
Love No. 22
xx
Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos recently posted..The Faerie Picnic
Thanks Tracey – still trying to convince hubby of #22 – he keeps holding out just long enough fro me to change my mind and then it starts all over again (kind of like choosing to have another baby)
Debra Dane recently posted..Return to work series {Job Interviews 101}
That is a brilliant list. It’s funny you mentioned the 30 before 30 list because I talked about my pre-30 list in my IBOT post today!
Catherine Rodie Blagg (Cup of Tea and a Blog) recently posted..Getting naked. In public
OMG Catherine your post is awesome – am going to share it on my FB page – i love that you had your friends help with the list to challenge you to grow – amazing!
Debra Dane recently posted..5 things you can do today to start eating healthier
What an amazing list! I had a list of 30-before-30 things, but didn’t accomplish them all. Did accomplish some, though! I haven’t made a list in a long time, but this has inspired me to. And I won’t put any pressure or time limits on it either. It will just be the ultimate “bucket list” I suppose! Thanks for the inspiration (as always!)
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..Warning: It’s A Political Rant #IBOT
i think it is awesome you did some of your list – that is the great thing about the AFTER list – no deadline, just goals to keep pursuing over time. pick one to work on and either achieve it or learn it was not actually for me – win win! Would love to see your bucket list xxx
Debra Dane recently posted..Simplify your Life {week 34: eating habits}
I’d love to travel the states on a road trip with the kids while they are still young. I’d love publish books, and even finish my quilt before next Monday!!
There are so many things I want to do in the next 6 months, I’m having a hard time thinking of the rest of my life!
Jess recently posted..The Importance of Being Heard
That 6 mo list can just be a smaller life list ; ) i think of this like my master to-do list and then i can check it and pick what i want to work on at any time.
Debra Dane recently posted..5 things you can do today to start eating healthier
Your list is so inspiring… I would love to run 10km at some time in my life!Its a goal just at the back of my mind!
You have such a positive attitude to do it like this, rather than giving your self a deadline!! I hope you achieve all 40! xxxx
Thanks Jane – making it open makes me feel optimistic that i will achieve them as i am sure some years i will be able to travel and other years i will work on smaller goals etc
if you want to run a 10km set smaller goals to get there – just since writing this i upped my run from 5 to 6km this week. it might take me a while to get to a consistent 6 or a new 7km but i am moving in the right direction!
Debra Dane recently posted..Return to work series {Job Interviews 101}
Love this list, Deb. My list would include visit New York, not sure what else!
Becky from BeckyandJames.com recently posted..Throwing a Party the Becky and James Way
As a New Yorker i think that is a fab starting point – i hope you get there!!
Debra Dane recently posted..Simplify your Life {week 34: eating habits}
Awesome list and beautiful goals to work towards, have fun ticking them off!
Alicia recently posted..Putting the pieces back together
Thanks Alicia! xxx
Debra Dane recently posted..Simplify your life {Week 35 Rest and Relaxation}
I love that this is an ‘after’ list with no deadlines to provide more stress. I think this might just be something that I will give a bash except it will have to be 48 after 48 because I am only a sneeze away from there !!!!!
Have the best day !
Me
Me recently posted..Where To From Here
Would love to see your 48 list – what fun!
Debra Dane recently posted..30 things that I love about me (and my life)
What a great list! Now you’ve inspired my to write a 30 after 30 list!
I hope you write one too – i would love to see everyone’s lists – let me know if you blog about it!
Debra Dane recently posted..5 things you can do today to start eating healthier
I love your list! I had a ‘before 40′ list, but I’m just going to make it a life list as I’m always adding to it
I want to try karaoke too – it scares me so much, but perhaps after a few wines, I would be quite ok
Debbie @ Aspiring Mum recently posted..Inspired By Courage.
Hubby did it on Friday night – he planned a night with friends which unfortunately was the same night as the kids dance performances at school so i went to that and left him to belt out tunes with friends. Am thinking of organising it for my 41st in february! go on and live a little – the fear is probably good for us, get the blood pumping ; )
Debra Dane recently posted..Simplify your life {Week 36 Beauty – rituals, care, indulgence}