23 in 23
Sunday, May 9 is my 23rd birthday.
I was born the Saturday before Mother’s Day in 1987 {I like to think that was a pretty good present, but my mom may tell you otherwise}! I was more than two weeks late, the start of a habit that still defines me to this day. I was that kid in high school who had detention, not because she was a troublemaker – I was actually a huge goody two shoes – but because she had countless tardy checks to first period.
I promise that my telling you all of this will make sense later on in this post. Remember when Jill talked about her list of 24 things to accomplish in her 24th year? Now it’s my turn!
I’m a firm believer that if you put goals down on paper or say them aloud, they will come true. They may not turn out exactly as you had envisioned – anything worthwhile rarely does – but I know in my heart and through life experience that the power of positive thinking is real.
Without further ado, I share with you my 23 in 23 list. Some of the items on this list are purely for fun or vanity – while others are my way of helping, teaching and learning with others.
23 Passionate Pursuits For My 23rd Year
- Be on time more often than not.
- Focus on only one thing at a time.
- Get married.
- Start at least the first five chapters of my book.
- Run a 10K in under 50:00.
- Try at least one new recipe per week.
- Learn how to say no.
- Go to bed feeling that my apartment is in order.
- Take a cue from MizFit and be unapologetically myself at all times.
- Volunteer with Special Olympics.
- Spend more time offline than online {this includes sleeping}.
- Break 80 on the golf course for the first time since high school.
- Ride a go-kart.
- Beat my dad in a game of H-O-R-S-E.
- Dedicate at least one hour every day to being active in some way.
- Take my mom on an unexpected trip.
- Be a better blog commenter.
- Read up on and follow current events each morning.
- Learn about and play one of my brother’s favorite video games with him.
- Write one piece of regular mail – be it a card or a letter – to someone new each month.
- Visit the new Harry Potter {guilty pleasure} theme park and Disney World in Orlando.
- Document more of my life – rather than my food – with my camera.
- Help at least one person find and get a job they love.
Some of these goals are easily doable. For example, I’m hoping the whole “getting married” thing won’t be too much trouble 
Other goals are going to be tougher to meet and exceed and will really require determination, repetition, patience and perseverance in order to make them achievable and, more importantly, habitual. Are those enough nouns and adjectives for one paragraph?
I will be printing out several copies of this list and posting them all over my apartment and workspace as both a reminder and a motivational tool. Can’t wait to start crossing things off!
To sum up this post, I leave you with the words of one of my favorite poets and writers:
“Always do what you are afraid to do.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
It terrifies me to post my very personal list of goals for all the blogosphere – friends, family, former co-workers, current business confidantes and beyond – to see. But at the end of the day, I know that allowing you to peek into my brain will help better convey why I think, dream, live and act the way I do.
What about you? Are there goals on my list that mimic your own? What others would you add? I dare you to list one thing you’re afraid of but have always wanted to do.
I know this can be very personal – but feel free to throw some fun ones in. I’d love to hear them!
Dream Bigger,
Trackbacks
- Wine Me, Dine Me, Then Take Me To AZ « eating bender
- Rewriting Herstory « Pursuing Our Passion
- A (Not-So-Scary) Mid-Year Review « Pursuing Our Passion
- My Biggest Source Of Inspiration This Week « Pursuing Our Passion
- Habit Formation: Good vs. Bad « Pursuing Our Passion
- Why I Will Miss Being 23 « Pursuing Our Passion
- Fall-owing Through On My Goals « Pursuing Our Passion
Oh Jenn! I LOVE it!!! I’ve started my own “year list” but at my age, it’s harder to come up with that many! I may just need to borrow a few from yours
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Thanks, Crister! Feel free to borrow as many as you like
Or perhaps we can complete some of them together? Even better!
So many thoughts. First thank you for the shoutout! Next? Its funny. I’m at the age where my peers are all doing bucket lists (how morbid is that?!) & I’ve never wanted to do one (myriad reasons).
Butbutbut my birthday is soon and I may join you.
41 things would be fun and challenging to come up with.
Happy early birthday!
Thanks, Miz! I understand completely not wanting to do a bucket list – but I think your list of 41 things to accomplish would be amazing to read. I can think of several other bloggers and readers who would agree with me
Happy early birthday to you!
Love you! Of course, I HAVE to comment on the whole you coming to Orlando for the Harry Potter theme park thing.
Let’s make that one happen, k? I HAVE to meet you in person at some point in our lives!
Also – I may be able to help you out with #3.
I’ll let you know more later, but I actually just saw a job opp. for a social media opportunity in Jacksonville that, as of right now, looks pretty good. 
Happy Early Birthday!!!
Thank you, lovely Lindsey! Love you back
I will totally make Orlando a priority because you’re right – meeting in person is an absolute MUST at this point. Please let me know about these job opportunities! I’m so excited for you!
Jenn, I love this! Your goals are so sweet (when it comes to spending time with family) and noble (volunteering)! And I love that you are constantly trying to be a better person and take care of your health and body- what an inspiration!
Happy Birthday!
p.s. I just turned 24 in March – I think I’ll steal this great idea of writing 24 passionate pursuits, although I’m a tad late. :-p
Thanks, Heba! Your comment was so amazing. It really brought a smile to my face. I can’t wait to see your list of 24 passionate pursuits. My motto is always better late than never
Jenn, I love the site and I adore your goals. They are very real and definitely a great mixture of challenging, yet achievable. You are very inspirational to me right now, because I am trying to put together what I want in my life. I’ve spent far too much time listening to what others expect from me and going along with it. I really want to visit the Harry Potter place, too!
Astrid – Thank you. I completely understand where you are coming from, having listened to plenty of people tell me what they think I should do (wait a few years to quit your job, gain more experience before attempting to run a business, etc.). My advice – roll like Nike and just do it
Whatever “it” is! I believe in you and will be your cheerleader whenever you need me to be! Hurray for Harry Potter, too!
such a great list.
ill be your number 23! ;]
Thanks, lovely! We definitely still need to chat sometime soon. Let me know if there is a day that works and I would love to talk
I’ve got something in the back of my head for next year when I turn 40 but not ready to announce it yet as I’m not sure it’s doable yet. Other than that I’d love to break 80 again as well. Did it once 2 years ago..shot 79.
Let me know when you’re ready to announce it! Best of luck on breaking 80, too
It was the best present ever!!!!!! I love your list and I can’t wait to see where I’m going? I’ve always wanted to go sky diving, but figure I don’t bounce as high as I used to – maybe this is the year (after the wedding of course)! Love Mom
Aw, thanks Mom
Let’s not go skydiving – I’m too afraid of heights! So don’t list a hot air balloon as the alternative, because that won’t go over well, either!