You may or may not know that I started this blog with a list of 27 things I want to accomplish before I turn 27 this summer. I’ve been thinking lately about how I would feel if I didn’t finish everything on my list. Would it be considered a complete failure? I’m a bit of a perfectionist and when things are left undone it stresses me out (I’m aware this isn’t healthy). Maybe I won’t finish a 10k and three 5ks, but pushing myself to train for a half marathon has been a much more challenging feat. I’ve also ran plenty of 6 milers during training, so that’s gotta count for something, right?! I’m working on not getting caught up in the little details and focusing more on the big picture in all areas of my life.
1. Start a blog. Here we are, 9 months in and a quarter of the way through 2014. Holy smokes, time is flying.
2. Run a 10k and three 5ks. I’m just 9 days away from running theRock the Parkway Half. Mentally, I’m ready. Physically, I’m in pain (see below). I can’t think of a better person to share the experience with than my best friend since high school, Meg.
3. Learn how to braid my hair.
4. Make a point to keep in touch with my family out of state more often (call, text, Facebook, send letters, anything really…).
5. Complete a photo-a-day challenge (in it’s entirety).
6. Go skiing at Snow Creek in Weston, MO. I’m afraid the window for this has passed.
7. Start using reusable grocery bags. I got a bag at Kansas City Blogger Brunch that would be perfect for a quick run to the grocery store and it’s ready and waiting for the next time I need to pick up a few things.
8. Volunteer my time. A group of us from work are going to cook and serve dinner at the Ronald McDonald House the first week of May. I can’t wait to give back to my community.
11. Grow a plant. My DIY terrarium seems to be holding up okay, so far.
12. Go on a mini vacation/weekend trip.Dallas happened, but I’m ready for somewhere warm! I need the sun, the sand and a drink in BOTH hands.
13. Lose the last 10lbs my body is holding onto because I can’t stop eating cheese and bread.I DID IT! Ditching the elliptical for running was seriously one of the best things I have done for my body. Have you read my weight loss story? I’ll have another weight loss update soon where I’ll go into more detail. Editor’s note: I have not and will not stop eating cheese and bread.
14. Have a movie marathon with my Dad, with classics like The Breakfast Club.
15. Start meditating once a week, even if it’s for 15 minutes (hummmmm).
16. Go to the drive-in movie. Summatiiiiime
17. Save more money. I bought some things, sorry. But I’ve been saving…don’t you worry!
18. Go to a concert at Grinders. A little birdie told me the Backstreet Boys are coming to another outdoor venue in June. Thinking about going to relive my youth, even if I did always like N’SYNC more.
19. Run/walk/jog/elliptical my way through 1,000 miles. 617 miles down. 383 to go.
20. Attend a trampoline class at Sky Zone in Kansas City and drag all of my friends along.My little brother celebrated his 8th birthday last weekend and we spent the afternoon at Sky Zone. It was seriously the best family birthday to date. My Stepmom and Dad both jumped and it reminded me why I’m not counting the years flying by or allowing the fear of getting older to take over. They are happier than ever. Not to mention, Rhonda can still do the splits mid-air. The only pitfall: I was not prepared for the soreness that follows after an intense hour of trampoline jumping. Back muscles I didn’t even know I had are still sore today which has slowed my half marathon training a bit.
21. Try a yoga class.Diana let me in on a little secret…free yoga Sunday mornings at Lululemon on the Plaza. I have no excuse now.
22. Become CPR certified.
23. Update the pictures in frames around my apartment.
24. Get a skin cancer screening at the dermatologist.
25. Attend a First Fridays in downtown KC.
26. Make at least three of the many, many projects I’ve pinned on Pinterest. I’m counting the terrarium. Amanda did a great DIY marble tray post this week and I can’t wait to give it a shot!
27.Write a letter to myself to read next year at this time.
Are you working on any lists of your own? Share with me in the comments below or tweet me @jessicazimlich.
For the millionth time, Go Blog Social kicks off tomorrow morning. You can find live updates from the conference on my Instagram, Twitter and #GBS2014. Can’t wait to meet some of you there!
love your list. i also read the divergent series and gone girl- all great. Good luck on rock the parkway! i’m training for the hospital hill 1/2 and i haven’t really ran since before i had kids, eek! See you tomorrow at GBS! http://www.handmadeintheheartland.com
I loved the Divergent series! Isn’t the worst when you try to get into a book but it just doesn’t work? I was like that with The Devil Wears Prada – just couldn’t do it and stopped in the first chapter.
I started working on a 25 before 25 list and have been worrying what will happen if I don’t complete some of the tasks.
Soooo realllly glad I found your blog because I love your style, and I love all the things you’re going to accomplish!! One thing that REALLLY has helped me with goal setting is I start out small and grow from there. I’m terrible and making myself read books so instead of giving myself the goal I’m going to read 3 chapters a night I make the goal of I’m going to read a paragraph a night that way i set myself up for success instead of failure then I grow from there:)) It has helped me tremendously!
Ps. Congratulations on your weight loss journey I went through the same thing. You look amazing!!
You’re too sweet. I just adore you too and I’m so happy we met! I’ll teach you to run if you teach me how to shop at Nordstrom Rack. I left empty handed the other day.
It really is! I think it all depends on why you didn’t finish the task. Since we made the lists for ourselves, we’re the other one we have to answer to 🙂
I love this, Jessica! One thing we talk about at lululemon when it comes to goal setting is that you’re going to not meet your goals 50% of the time. If you’re achieving them 100% of the time then you’re setting them big enough. It’s ok to fail! It makes us stronger and better in the end… so keep up the good work, you’re an inspiration for all. Good luck with your half this Saturday, I’ll keep an eye out for ya! And class this Sunday is yoga for runners… perfect!
That is such a great way to look at it. Thank you for that! I’ll keep an eye out for you too! If I wasn’t going to Topeka for a baby shower I would definitely be there Sunday, but you can count on seeing me soon 🙂
I adore you Jess! I wish I had your motivation to run. Teach me this summer?
http://www.theadoredlife.com
love your list. i also read the divergent series and gone girl- all great. Good luck on rock the parkway! i’m training for the hospital hill 1/2 and i haven’t really ran since before i had kids, eek! See you tomorrow at GBS! http://www.handmadeintheheartland.com
I loved the Divergent series! Isn’t the worst when you try to get into a book but it just doesn’t work? I was like that with The Devil Wears Prada – just couldn’t do it and stopped in the first chapter.
I started working on a 25 before 25 list and have been worrying what will happen if I don’t complete some of the tasks.
Such a cool list- don’t worry if you don’t get all the way through it, even just tackling part of it is a huge accomplishment! 🙂
See you tomorrow! 😉
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com
<3
Soooo realllly glad I found your blog because I love your style, and I love all the things you’re going to accomplish!! One thing that REALLLY has helped me with goal setting is I start out small and grow from there. I’m terrible and making myself read books so instead of giving myself the goal I’m going to read 3 chapters a night I make the goal of I’m going to read a paragraph a night that way i set myself up for success instead of failure then I grow from there:)) It has helped me tremendously!
Ps. Congratulations on your weight loss journey I went through the same thing. You look amazing!!
http://everythingsalwayssunny.com
Kristin xx
You’re too sweet. I just adore you too and I’m so happy we met! I’ll teach you to run if you teach me how to shop at Nordstrom Rack. I left empty handed the other day.
It really is! I think it all depends on why you didn’t finish the task. Since we made the lists for ourselves, we’re the other one we have to answer to 🙂
Hi Kristin! Thanks so much for all of your kind words! That’s a great way to look at it.. I’m heading over to check out your blog now 🙂
I love this, Jessica! One thing we talk about at lululemon when it comes to goal setting is that you’re going to not meet your goals 50% of the time. If you’re achieving them 100% of the time then you’re setting them big enough. It’s ok to fail! It makes us stronger and better in the end… so keep up the good work, you’re an inspiration for all. Good luck with your half this Saturday, I’ll keep an eye out for ya! And class this Sunday is yoga for runners… perfect!
That is such a great way to look at it. Thank you for that! I’ll keep an eye out for you too! If I wasn’t going to Topeka for a baby shower I would definitely be there Sunday, but you can count on seeing me soon 🙂