I first stumbled upon the Day Zero Project a year and a half ago. As an OCD, type-A personality I LOVED the idea: you get to make lists! You get to set goals! What more could anyone want?
I made my list of 101 goals, tracked my progress, and then somewhere along the lines forgot about it (my guess is probably around the same time I forgot everything fun I used to do). Before I left for France, I stumbled upon it again by accident. It was weird to read the things that were important to me more than a year ago. Some of my goals were so ridiculous (buy 2 designer purses), entirely too many depended on someone else (get engaged, get married), but some were still good (take a cooking class). I laughed out lout when I peeked at my “someday” list and saw go to France, see the Eiffel tower, go to the Louvre. I wish I could talk to my past self and give her the heads up that graduate school is not going to work out, neither is that relationship, and in 12 months you won’t care at all for designer anything because you’re going to hock all your stuff on eBay to boost your emergency fund. I would also give her a hug and tell her that it all works out.
Oh, Bridget. You are so very different now.
I decided to start my Day Zero list over again. Some of the parts were salvageable, but I deleted nearly everything else. I tried hard to create the right goals for me: ones that involve doing this I love (taking a French class), trying new things (learn to play the guitar), trying weird or silly things (ride a segway). I kept the big bucket-list goals (climb Mt. Kilimanjaro). I tried to push myself (turn $1,000 into $10,000) and I’m trying to nourish myself (get a hot stone massage). I made sure NONE of my goals depend on someone else — they all must be individual, accomplishable (that’s not a word…), and do something to make me healthier, happier or more skilled.
Anyway, I only have 73 goals right now, which is a bit short of the 101 I wanted to have for the 1001 day countdown but I’m trying to reduce my OCD tendencies and allow me to add to the list as I go. Maybe I’ll have more than 101 goals that I completed by the end of it! The end date is February 27, 2014. I’ll be 28 years old (yikes!) and hopefully with a lot of great experiences and stories to tell — also some impressive language skills and a whole lotta cash in the bank ;)
Oh, I love it. I am a list fanatic.
I am also loving your outlook on life and on yourself. France was just what you needed.
Great list! I esp. love dropping the wants for designer and going for more important things in life that can truly make you happy. It’s great that you are in a much better place now :)
I just mentioned this post on my blog, but I didn’t even notice your “nourish myself” statement until now. That’s something I’ve always had a hard time with; I’ve blown plenty of money on clothes and things I didn’t need but have never once gotten a massage because they seem too luxurious–though I’ve longed one for years. Kind of silly now that I think about it.
Good news from the desk of Miss Wong, English teacher: accomplishable IS a word! :)