I’ve certainly taken my sweet ass time deciding on what my new goals for the year will be, haven’t I? In my defense, I found it extremely hard to choose them this time around, maybe because I now know how much effort it takes to make them a reality and I want to choose them carefully. I also really want to be thoughtful about what I want to accomplish this year- my first year as a thirty year old. I want to pick goals that feel like the organic next step for me in my career, relationships and life.
My long time readers may notice that a few of my goals have been carried over from last year. Why? Well, because I haven’t accomplished them yet and I still want to!
Let the fun begin! Here goes…
Volunteer as a big sister
I decided that when I volunteer this year I want to work with children. I also now know, after last years volunteer work at PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) that I prefer working on a one on one basis. Armed with those two pieces of information, I settled on volunteering as a big sister. I am realllllly looking forward to this experience.
Overseas trip with Brian
Brian and I both LOVE to travel (Thank God because I honestly don’t know if I could be with somebody who didn’t love to travel too) The last big trip we took together was to Nicaragua in 2011 and it was amazing experience. Well, other than the stomach bug we both got, but hey, it only brought us closer. We have both been visualizing another trip somewhere foreign and are on a mission to accomplish it this year. Our top choice would be a trip to Thailand and Cambodia but we would pretty much go anywhere for the right deal as long is it was out of the country and neither of us had been before.
Nicaragua April 2011
Art
I have always been a fan of the book “The Artists Way” (side note- you must read it if you haven’t. Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist it’s still inspiring) One of the tenets that I love most in the book is the idea of taking yourself on artists dates once a week. What’s an artist date? Anything that brings you inspiration and makes you feel alive- a trip to the museum by yourself, a walk in a new neighborhood, painting classes, pottery classes, photo projects, spend the day watching a bunch of old films, go somewhere you haven’t been since you were a child, take yourself on a picnic in the park, finger paint, garden….you see where I am going with this right? I got to thinking about how long it’s been since I have made time for such things in my life on a regular basis…too long. So this year I want to get back into carving out the time to take myself on a date once a week.
New living space
We really need to move from our sweet 1 bedroom home into something different. It makes us both sad because we LOVE our little place by the beach (morning walks on the sand are hard to beat!) but we really want a bigger space, a yard, an updated kitchen and I personally want a bigger closet- my shoes are cramped!
French Bulldog
Frank! I’m coming for you!
Ballet classes
When I was a little girl, I danced ballet for 10 years and I found such joy in it. The other day I got to thinking..why can’t I take ballet again at 30? Clearly, I’m not trying to become a professional dancer or anything but there must be classes for a girl to have a little fun in, right? So what it’s been twelve years (oy) since I put my point shoes on! Like riding a bike, right?!
Publish my writing
This is a carry over from last year. I. Still. Want. To. Accomplish. This. Goal…very badly. Onward!
Yoga retreat
Considering I am a yoga nut, I can’t believe that I have never been on a retreat. This year that is going to change! I signed up for Jennifer Pastiloff’s Manifestation Yoga Retreat in Ojai, CA in October. If you have read my blog before than you know that Jennifer is not only one of my favorite yoga teachers, she’s also a dear friend. Her retreats are known to be beyond amazing and I am so excited! I also get to sleep in a yurt with a bunch of other people….so there’s that to be excited about too.
365til30.com 
Very inspiring! Can’t wait to read a post about Frank! 🙂
Ha. I can’t wait to write about Frank!!
Love these! I especially love the idea of artist dates… I might try to have little artist dates for myself, too. 😉
You must try the artist date idea. When I have made time for them in the past I have gotten so much out of it. Hope you have a beautiful day!
So much fun! I love taking myself on dates. I feel like I see more when I’m alone, wherever I am. (Cholula is my exception for joining me.)
I also looked into being a Big Sister! I’m excited to follow along…
Cholula seems like a very good exception to the rule. He’s your floppy eared co-captain! 🙂
I agree! 🙂
I wish you luck with the Ballet thing. I danced for 16 years and I still to this day miss it and look for places to take class again. It is difficult (in my experience) to find a studio that isn’t for only grade school/high school kids. But, I suppose class is class. It may be easier to find adult classes in a bigger city than mine as well. I also like the artist date idea!
You danced for 16 years?! That’s incredible. I agree I am a little worried about finding a place for an ex dancer like me but I have hope! Keep you posted.
Please do!
Can’t wait to watch this all unfold, Kate. XO
Thank you Loni!!! xoxo
Wow!!! Sweet!!! Love it. First I am finally back to being able to post again. This recovery has been tough and like your post says I am not finished yet so onward I go. Second…yay…I will be in Ojai in October too and with Rachel. (Message me where you want to stay so I save your space). Love everything you have planned. I am an avid fan of HGTV and your bit about finding a new place reminds me of how they start their shows on House Hunters. Cute.
Happy to hear you are on the road to recovery!!! I am so so so excited to meet you and Rachel in October. I will message you today! Oh and thank you for your continued energy and support. I always appreciate it.
xo
Kate
YEE! This is so exciting. I cannot wait to see all the goals you accomplish this year. You are such a huge inspiration!
Thank you SO much Cassy! I am so grateful to have you as a reader!!
Wonderful list of very doable things.. (Hmm, reminds me I need to do mine too)
I have a couple of links for you.
Regarding the overseas trip, you could also do your volunteering with an amazing organization run by a super cool dude, Barton Brooks :http://www.globalcolors.org/
Regarding your writing, I really feel (just a gut feeling) a great place to start getting published before you unleash the “Big-Bang-One” is McSweenys, started by Dave Eggers (he wrote a phenom book called “A heartbreaking work of staggering genius, read it if you haven’t. Amazing):http://www.mcsweeneys.net/
sorry for the huge comment but wanted to share these!!!
Onward to 31 Chica!!
Oh Lynne, I always love your energy! It comes through in everything you write. Thank you for your thoughtful comment on my new goals. I had never heard of Global Colors and I am so happy you shared it with me- It’s right up my alley. I’m also happy you shared McSweeneys with me- I LOVED “A heartbreaking work of a staggering genius” and I am going to look into this publishing house. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you
xo
Kate
Oh Kate…
You challenge me and I am older than you! Sigh for me and good for you! I have thought about a few things for a while. One being, that I just let life happen to me. When I came across your blog it was a whopping reminder. I can’t sit down and say what I conquered/achieved from one year to the next just where I ended up. This will change by golly! When I saw your Big Sister goal, yet another slap. I have thought about this for a few years. A friend of mine just watched her “little sister” graduate high school. I think they’ve been together ten years! I think that personal relationships are really what makes our lives count so it brings me much hope to do such a thing.
I love that you are not giving up on your dancing dream. Tango did not mesh with you, well it’s off to ballet then! I think you just like forms of dancing that punish you;).
I love the artist date thing. But I have so many things I want to try to do that I can overwhelm myself. I am excited to “meet” Franc. Maybe you will go to France for your overseas ditty and find him there;). Back in the day you could have called him a French Franc! It would have been funny but as usual the Euro ruined that;).
And finally because I like to challenge others and remain in a gray area myself what do you mean by wanting to have your writing published? What is the genre of your work/ where would you ideally like it published?
And super really finally I love your new blogheader images. Somehow 30 turned you from cute to beautiful;). And thanks for helping me decide to start making my hopes reality by following in your footsteps:).
Much love,
Sophia
Great List – thanks for sharing:)
Loving the path forward. And loving that we share so many goals. And HOORAY for big travel plans!!!!
Good list! I am still working on my list for 2012, of course. Since I was born on the tail end of November, it’s just easier for me to set goals by calendar year. Your list is varied, which gives me some good hints for 2013.
a fantastic Yoga retreat is on my list too. I’m hoping for Bali this year. great list btw !
love you
you go, woman! I have been in a Big Sister for a little over a year and would be happy to chat with you about it if you want some more insight. By the way, I love this blog! xo