I am starting this year with a list of things I want to do regularly just for the joy of doing them. This does not replace my monthly joy list, but is an addition to it. It will probably shorten my monthly list though since I am including some of the regular joy items here and listing them again would just be redundant. (Oh, who am I kidding? I have no idea how this will pan out. It might kill the monthly joy list entirely.) If I think of other things to add to it I will, or if something isn't working I will delete it. I just want a somewhat thoughtful guide for the new year
Daily
1. dance (counts even if I "dance" while seated)
2. sing
3. read something inspirational
4. read for the joy of reading
5. listen to music
6. stay abreast of the news
7. pray
8. play the piano
9. be thankful for everything
10. be kind
11. be receptive to life
12. keep a daily (or at least every other day) journal and record these joys
Weekly
1. try cooking something different
2. talk to a stranger
3. go somewhere just to browse (store, shop, museum whatever)
4. cocktail night
5. Facetime with the granddaughter
6. volunteer somewhere doing something
7. learn something new
8. have Mom up to eat (but not on the something different night)
9. have a spa night (or morning, or afternoon) at home
10. read a book
Bi-Weekly
1. make something for Christmas (gift, decoration, whatever)
2. listen to Christmas music while doing #1.
3. meet a friend for coffee
4. take Mom shopping or somewhere she can't go by herself
5. contact someone I have not seen or talked to for at least 6 months.
6. go somewhere different just to browse (shop, museum, market, whatever strikes my fancy)
Monthly
1. have guests for dinner
2. have lunch out with a friend
3. see a play, concert, ballet, opera, lecture, etc.
4. visit at least 1 relative
5. make 1 new acquaintance (this will require me going some different places )
6. explore somewhere new (can be local or out of town)
Quarterly
1. travel somewhere (can be a big or small trip)
2. learn a new skill
Those are really nice, Ann! I have already pledged to meet my brother and sister the third Saturday of the month to eat in a different restaurant and walk. I also am going to get more active in my church- I changed churches about a year ago and still miss the old one. Pastor retired and it took over 2 years to get a new one so we left. I love your weekly facetime idea too- I'm going to have DD set up a more regular schedule. My GD is 2 and 1/2 and lives in San Francisco- too far away. Let's have a great 2017!
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter lives in Portland and I am in Alabama. With regular FT visits I still get to be part of her life. I hope 2017 is a kind year for everyone.
DeleteOnce again an impressive list. I'll be impressed if you are able to do it all. But you gotta think about or it will never happen. At least, that's the way it works for me. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI doubt I will do it all especially the daily stuff, but I have to have a plan. It is easier for me to get back on track if I have a map.
DeleteCan I just say I had yo smile at "Have mom to dinner but not in something new night." Your monthly and quarterly could be my list!
ReplyDeleteI just know Mom well enough to know she doesn't cotton to new things. As for the monthly and quarterly list, feel free to use them and if you think of additions let me know!
DeleteThis entire list is phenomenal! Well thought out and will increase the quality of your life so much. I mean, even if you only regularly complete half or a quarter of your check points you'll have done so many colorful things that will certainly add joy to life.
ReplyDeleteI hope at least to do the daily things. The rest will fall into place as it happens, but I truly think a journal will be a big help staying mostly on track
DeleteLoved the not on the night mom visits. Mine is the same way!
ReplyDeleteI am slowly learning to keep things as routine as possible with Mom, but I am a slow learner!
DeleteWhat a great list of goals!! Mine is basically to keep my head above water and get done what I have to...
ReplyDeleteoh and lose 20 pounds.
I am not doing resolutions this year, I just want to experience the life that is going on around me. I spent too much time worrying about perfection, sometimes to the point of being immobile rather than doing something imperfectly. I decided it is beyond time to let that me go and just embrace the here and now and enjoy the imperfect moments!
DeleteI really hope you are up to these challenges - and some of them I would find very challenging.
ReplyDeleteAnother truly inspirational list. Yay you.
I really am aiming to just enjoy every day.
DeleteWhere do you keep your lists? I make lists and then put them in a drawer or whatever and then forget all about them. Do you keep them on the fridge or somewhere you look every day in order to remind yourself? Do you pencil them in on a calendar? How do you get them off the page and into real life? (Inquiring minds want to know!)
ReplyDeleteI will print the list off and will create a system of daily check lists in my journal (fancy name for a black and white composition book) I will also have check lists for exercise, water, veggie servings,. I will also have a weekly , bi weekly, monthly and quarterly page with the list on it and a check system. I need to go ahead and get it set up, so I will take some pictures of it and send it via email
DeleteIt's a very inspirational list! I hope you'll be able to accomplish most, if not all, of it. Should make for a year full of joy!
ReplyDeleteI hope so. I think we all need more joy, and have found if you actively look for it, it increases exponentially!
DeleteI love these! I'm still working on mine and may need to "borrow" a few of yours! ;)
ReplyDeleteTake as many as you need and if you have any suggestions leave them for me!
Delete