Have you seen or heard of others doing this challenge: 30 while 30? Well I have taken the plunge and set some goals (well many) for the year that I'm 30 years old! My 30th birthday was actually at the end of January, so I've been trying to complete these goals for a few months now.
The idea is to come up with 30 things that you'd like to accomplish during this year. It was hard to come up with 30 ideas, since some are time consuming, expensive etc. I have until the end of my 30th year (so next January) to accomplish them, but won't be heart broken if I don't. Plus, I don't have 30 complete ideas either.... some of them I'm still unsure about, hence the ? next to certain ideas.
Ready for the list? In no particular order:
30 {goals} while 30 {years old}!
1. Submit something for publication
2. Decorate pictures with digital handwriting!
3. See a Cardinals game in person!
4. Take a photography class
5. Travel some where new and explore
We took a trip to Mexico!
6. Be more aware of money spent
Not that we are big spenders, but we could be saving more money if we put together a simple budget or really watched what we spent.
7. Complete acts of service
8. Start a new tradition
9. Finish my quilt!
10. Create my own {delicious} recipe
Did you see my Spicy Honey Salmon Glaze recipe?
11. Do something special for myself.
I went to MommyCon ツ
12. Hang/put up pictures throughout the house. Maybe try a gallery wall...
Everything was taken down a few years ago so we could paint the rest of the house, and things have been going back up slooowly.
13. Complete an out-of-this-world pin
In the making!
14. Learn to paper piece
15. Try a new food or drink.
16. Perfect our mead recipe
17. No bottled water (unless in dire need, as to cut back on waste)
So far so good!
18. Find a new church and attend weekly
We have found one that we really like so far, that's right down the road and it has a nursery and baby/toddler weekly group! Success!
19. Play the violin more
20. Take Christian to visit MO and go fishing (my home state, also where my dad lives)
21. Night away from Christian- ?
22. Complete a weekly photo blog challenge
23. Take a risk
24. Make myself a priority
25. Blog at least once a week
I've been keeping up and it feels less stressful than blogging 3x a week for sure.
26. Make a simple cleaning schedule, and stick to it for at least a month
27. Enjoy a new interest
A new obsession really. I'm sooooo into Doctor Who now. It occupies my mind (and pinterest board ツ) constantly. (Followed by Tris & Tobias from Divergent.)
28. Read more.
29. Continue to purge "stuff" from the house
Hopefully this will mean more space & organization
30. ????
09/30 COMPLETED!!
I need only 1 more idea (and maybe a few more for the few undecided goals)!! Anyone have any suggestions? I'm hoping that they also might present themselves as the year goes on.
I'm hoping this challenge will help make my 30th year a great one to remember! I'll be updating along the way (with some separate posts for certain goals), so allons-y! ツ I've got fun stuff to do!
My favorite blog, A Beautiful Mess, has once again tasked all of their readers with a challenge: create 4 simple goals (before 2014) and stick to them!
Sounds simple, but when you have to stick to only 4, it makes it a little bit more difficult.
I really like the idea of listing your goals on a picture and saving that as your computer's wallpaper. Good idea Elsie!
My goals follow their "rules":
- Simple goals that are life-enchriching & not difficult to complete. ✔Check!
- Activity based goals (rather than end-result goals). ✔ Check!
- Experience oriented goals. ✔ Check!
Cook & experiment with food
I love to cook, and think that I do it pretty well, but every since having a child, I don't cook much. It creates a large mess, lots of dishes and I just don't have the time. Plus our kitchen space is already small and it seems to take a lot of effort to get a nice, large cooking project going. But since I enjoy it, and it can cook large amounts (left overs, yea!), I'll give it a shot. Maybe Christian won't be screaming/crying his head off on the other side of our kitchen gate while I cook!
Pray more
I'm a part of my church's Prayer Chain Warrior group, but I'd like to converse more with God on a daily basis. Whenever I see something or hear something that reminds me of my faith, I'll be having mental convo's running :o)
Stick to a weekly cleaning routine
I've never liked cleaning, even as a kid. Since our house is now super cluttered with stuff since our child moved into our guest/storage room, it's hard to keep things situated. Since putting together a schedule and do a little something each day, it helps keep things more clean... but more tidy? That's another story.
Eat more green foods
I have found that I love steamed broccoli, and not only when it's covered with cheese. I'm getting back into eating healthier since I've had a nice long year break after having Christian. Long time, I know! Since Christian now eats almost everything we eat, I have to make good, healthy stuff for him, might as well be for myself too!
If you'd like to see the original post on these goals from ABM, head on over! :o)
What are your 4 goals?
A goal of mine this month is to complete K-Love's Challenge of 30 Days of Thankful Prayer. Every day for the month of November (in the spirit of Thanksgiving!), pray (or remind yourself if you're not spiritual) for something that you are thankful for. It can be anything that you are thankful for, nothing is too small!
*If you haven't heard of K-Love, check them out! They are a national Christian radio station that is always positive and encouraging (which is actually their motto). Their music is amazing and addictive!*
Day 1
Dear God, thank you so much for my little family that I can call my own. I love them with every fiber of my being. Thank you for blessing me with two amazing people, my husband and son. Amen.
Day 2
Dear God, thank you for my good health! Amen.
Day 3
Dear God, thank you for good friends, friends that even love my child as their own, and want to be a part of my life! Amen.
Day 4
God, thank you for my large family, flaws and all. We learn a lot from each other and about each other. Thank you for the experiences, and little people, you put in our lives that help to bring us closer. Amen.
Day 5
God, thank you for K-Love! I love listening to this station every morning online. It puts me in a good mood, and it's music that I know my son will grow up loving. I love how this station changes so many lives just through songs and encouraging stories. I'm proud that my family and I help contribute to that cause. Amen.
Day 6
God, I am thankful that you have blessed my family with the opportunity for me to stay home with Christian! It gets rough and tough, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I am truly blessed. Amen.
Day 7
God, thank you for my warm house! We might have outgrown it, but she's still a great place! Amen.
Day 8
Dear God, thank you for blessing my family with everything we need. I am thankful that we aren't in need of necessities and that we have the luxury to splurge on new things here and there. Amen.
Day 9
Lord, thank you for those that were able to join us for Christian's birthday and celebrate an important milestone in his life! Amen.
Day 10
Lord, thank you for blessing me with a husband who loves me for who I am, my past, present and future. Thank you for putting him here for me, a person who is so much like myself, but different in the areas that I am weak, that help me to grow. Amen.
Day 11
Lord, I am thankful for all the men and women who serve our country, whether it's touring overseas, behind a desk answering the phone, designing plans, mechanics working on military equipment etc. They all serve us in one way or another and I am thankful. I am also thankful for their families (wives, husbands, children, mothers, fathers etc) that lend them for our service and sacrifice their family time. For all of those that have served, are serving and will serve our country, I am thankful. Amen.
Day 12
Dear God, I am so thankful for cloth diapers! They help the earth stay cleaner and they aren't that much more work. I am thankful for the knowledgeable people and groups that have helped me when starting cloth diapering, and encouraging me along my cloth route. I am also thankful that Michael has been on board since day 1. We've conquered cloth diapers and love it! Amen.
Day 13
Dear God, I am thankful that Christian (as well as future kids) have our great dog, Niko, to grow up with! I love that he's in our lives! Amen.
Day 14
God, I am thankful for a husband that is such a hard worker, and a pretty good one too. :o) He has to be away from us during the day, which I'm sure is hard, but he works continually so that I can raise Christian, and I am thankful for that.
Day 15
Lord, I am thankful that my in-laws don't mind driving us to MN to visit family! Even with a one year old in tow. :o)
Day 16
Lord, I am thankful that we are able to provide our little Christian with healthy food. It's not cheap, and I am happy and grateful that we have the funds for him to eat healthily.
Day 17
God, I am thankful for all of my family that came before me, that made a part of this world their own during much more difficult times than I've seen. Amen.
Day 18
God, I am thankful for my good health again and the ability to be able to travel around the nation to visit with family. Amen.
Day 19
Dear Lord, I am thankful that we have a reliable car to travel in! Amen.
Day 20
Lord, thank you for my warm, cozy bed. Amen.
Day 21
Lord, I am thankful for all the moments and events that we are able to spend with our loved ones. I hope to not take them for granted. Amen.
Day 22
Dear Lord, I am thankful that I have such a sweet, lovie little boy! Amen.
Day 23
Dear Lord, I am thankful that my little boy was born healthy! Amen.
Day 24
God, I am grateful that Christian's fever has come down since last night! It was a raging 105.3!! I am so thankful!! Amen.
Day 25
God, I am thankful that Christian takes medicine with no problem! I am lucky! Thank you! Amen.
Day 26
Thank you God for a healthy eating toddler! I love that he's not picky and I'm lucky. Amen.
Day 27
Thank you God for a warm house during the cold winter. Amen.
Day 28
Thank you God for all the delicious food that you have provided us! The animals, grains, vegetables, down to the sugar for desserts! Amen.
Day 29
Thank you God for a husband who is willing to stay home and watch Christian while I go shopping! Amen.
Day 30
Thank you God for all of my family and the time we get to spend with them! Amen.
☟I love this song so much I decided to post it. It's called The Luckiest by Ben Folds. I first heard this song when I was at a wedding with my husband and our first child was due to be born in about a month. It was special, and an amazing song for a moment in time that will forever be engraved on my heart.
