This is probably a post that makes more sense at the beginning of the year but with the year being half over, it’s a nice time for reflection. Mostly in reviewing what I wanted to accomplish, how far I’ve come in achieving my goals, and what I still need to do by year’s end. While I was doing that, it occurred to me that there are some things that, no matter what, I do each year without fail.
Let’s dive into some of those.
- Read Our Town
- Watch all 18 episodes of “Freaks and Geeks”
- Plan to get a new hairstyle and color. Rethink decision immediately.
- Travel somewhere new, even if it’s not somewhere exotic or far away from home.
- Revamp my entire makeup collection.
- Buy a planner, fill it with important milestone events, anniversary, and birthdays. Forget most of them.
- Renew both my blog domain name and my business license because you never know.
- Go to the beach.
- Cook Thanksgiving dinner. It’s my favorite meal to cook so even if I’m not hosting, I cook half the meal anyway.
- Promise not to spend any money on books or magazines until I’m caught up with all the ones I have.
- Adamantly insist that this will be the year I relearn conversational French, play the guitar, and learn to sew.
- Buy new bras and underwear (I realize some people do this monthly. I’m not in that group of people. #noshame)
- Find song I love, listen to it until I can’t stand it.
- Say I’m going to be more social and make new friends.
- Commit to one blogging or work related conference (anyone want to go to the Book Riot one in November?)
I think there might be a few I’m missing. If so, I’ll fill them in later.
Obviously there are some things on that list I’m quite successful at doing and others, not so much (I’ll let you decide for yourself which is which). But I think having those yearly rituals, failed or not, keeps me focused (a little) on what I want my life to look like. And I’m pretty sure that’s not a bad choice to make.
How about you guys? Do you have recurring yearly rituals or goals?
beach, yes!! i’ve been twice this year and still want to go back. freaks and geeks is always a win. i watch felicity ever year. i have all the dvds. team noel.
ellesees.blogspot.com recently posted…This or That: Lancome Hypnose Star Vs. L’Oreal Miss Manga
I have never watched Felicity. I do love Keri Russell’s hair, though.
I love your list!!!! I also find it hilarious that you said rethink decision immediately after new hair style, because I always do that and end up with the same look. And forgetting all important dates too hahaha. The beach is good for your soul, we already have our September trip booked! New bras and underwear and a revamp of makeup are on my list of things to do soon as well. I have to find a new skin care routine first though. Damn crazy adult skin that wont calm down.
Nadine recently posted…Confessions
I had adult skin issues in my late 20s which was weird because I never had bad acne as a kid or since I’ve had the child. But I know how frustrating it can be to find something that works because for those few years, I looked terrible and nothing I did worked. Maddening.
The beach IS good for the soul.
Get more exercise is a big one for me! I feel so much better. Go through all of my stuff and purge. I don’t even know what I have. I put everyone else’s stuff away better than my own.
Good list !
Love, Steph’s Momma
I love to purge stuff since I hate clutter. I do that several times a year, especially with the child’s stuff.
LOL i love this. mine is: make a bunch of house to-do goals/lists and forget about them within weeks of making that list haha!
kathy@real talk recently posted…this week’s happenings [7-3]
I do that, too!!! I figure the ambition and thought is good enough.
Swear I’m going to make time to meditate or pray or something every morning. I also swore I was going to start reading more two years ago and I HAVE definitely done that to this day so I’d say that cancels out all those years I promised I’d do something.
I only buy new underwear like twice a year.
Kristin recently posted…Birthday Cake S’mores
It definitely cancels out the failed promises! And I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who doesn’t do an underwear overhaul multiple times a year.
I don’t really have things I do every year besides renew my car registration. I’m thinking with school starting I might need a planner though.
Kelli recently posted…Weekend Things
The planner helps with school stuff so much, especially random days off that I would totally forget about if I didn’t have them written down.
Haha, #13. I love and yet simultaneously hate when I do that. I hear a song, become obsessed and listen to it on repeat. It then reaches a point where I have an adverse reaction when I hear it and I never want to hear it again after that.
Ali A recently posted…My Aspiration in Life
Yes to the adverse reaction. As in “nope. No fucking way am I listening to this ever again” and I can’t change the song fast enough.
Where is the Book Riot conference in November? Tell me more.
People buy new bras monthly?
SMD @ Life According to Steph recently posted…Emerald Isle
I think so. I don’t know who these people are but I’m sure they exist.
Listen to a song obsessively until I can’t stand it anymore? I do this ALL the time!
Mackenzie recently posted…Spicy Roasted Chickpeas
Me, too! It’s a terrible thing to do, too.
I did the same thing with learning a musical instrument. I put it off and put it off, but I swear it’s life changing if you stick with it. I’m so freaking happy I learned the ukulele. I stopped buying planners too because I would do the same thing. It looked all new and fresh and it would travel with me everywhere…ha ha. I end up just using my free hotmail calendar and writing to-do lists on pieces of paper. One thing I do every year is my health check-ups. Kind of a pain to do but those basics (pap, skin check, mammogram, etc.) are worth it for the peace of mind.
Tonya@Budget and the Beach recently posted…Writing a Personal Finance Blog Changed My Life
I used to play the guitar and I didn’t completely suck at it. It’s just been so long since I’ve picked it up. I think once I get through the summer and FinCon, when I have more downtime, I’ll try again.
I have the same planner issues. I still never remember a damn thing no matter how many times I write it or highlight it. I usually update some essentials each year like shoes, some tops and makeup. Not as much as I used to though. Something I do every few months or maybe it’s when the season changes is I make a new list of books I would like to read. The Book Riot Conference definitely sounds interesting to me! Where is it?
Karen recently posted…4th Of July In Cape Cod
It’s in the city!!! I think Steph and I are going so if you decide to, we all need to hang out!
Make an excessive amount of goals, and either accept the FAIL or rewrite the list once I realize I don’t care to do some of these things anymore. Set certain goals/make plans just to fill spaces on the checklist, rather than because I want to do them. Swear I’ll learn how to drive a stick shift. You know, the usual 🙂
Yes. Learn to drive a stick shift. On the list. Will never happen.
I watch Freaks and Geeks just about every year too. In fact, it’s probably time I do it again! I do the same thing with trying to branch out to hang out with friends or make new ones. I feel like I don’t have enough time lately though. I’m happy in my own little world, though it’s probably not healthy. Ha!
Christina recently posted…Movies I Should Have Seen
I always watch it in the fall. Not sure why.
I have time to make new friends. Just don’t know that I have the desire. Which is terrible. But true.
LOL I so do not buy new undergarments enough. My poor bras. They get very well used before I’m finally like “I should probably buy some new ones”. I’ve never watched Freaks and Geeks but I’ve heard it’s good!
Julia @ Grace Makes New recently posted…Confessions of a no-good, very bad blogger
Freaks and Geeks is one of my all time favorite shows!! I highly recommend it and if you have Netflix, it’s on there 🙂
The beach is awesome. Normally we go, but not this year.
I usually buy underwear every couple of months.
Amber recently posted…Hey, It’s Okay Tuesday!
I used buy underwear that frequently. But now it’s just a once a year thing, when we get to my mother in law’s store.
i probably have a bunch of things i always do. the planner one, definitely. i need to write them a week in advance.. or a month in advance so maybe then i might remember!
Kristen recently posted…Paris is always a good idea – Our trip recap
I need to write down everything but even then, I still forget. #oldladyproblems
After putting on two different bras this morning that really need to be thrown away and settling on a third that is still old and mangled, I thought to myself “damn, I need new bras.” I used to buy bras all the time. I also used to have a Victoria’s Secret credit card that I shamelessly would use to spend more than I should. I no longer have that card. Credit cards are not my friends. Now, I have no credit cards and sad, misshapen bras.
Erin of TexErin-in-SydneyLand recently posted…Blog Hop – Let’s Be Friends
This made me LOL so hard.
Credit cards are also not my friend.
The makeup & bra/underwear ones are good ones to have! Who renews bras every month?! Every year I want to lose weight but rarely do.
lisacng @ expandng.com recently posted…Page Turners: Ready Player One
I totally understand on the losing weight thing. I’m really trying this year, though, so I hope it works!
I have had some bras for more than two years, and some underwear for more than five. If there are no holes, I keep them.
Robin recently posted…Things that I don’t have time for
I’ve had some underwear for a LONG time. If they’re clean, no holes, and they fit, why throw them out?
My relationship with planners is so one-sided. It sits there all pretty and just waiting for me to actually use it, and I walk by it every day without so much as a how-do-you-do.
I always think I’ll get back into playing the piano but then my love of long painted nails gets in the way.
This Book Riot convention sounds interesting…
Gwen recently posted…SCOTUS: We Know Drama
Freaks and Geeks will NEVER get old. How it got cancelled after one season is still a travesty and a mystery to me.
Kati Rose recently posted…Growing Up with The Grateful Dead
I am the same with books, always vow not to add anymore books until I read the ones I have, never happens. I usually do the bras and underwear only twice a year.
Kerry recently posted…Friday Favorites | 4th of July
There are people who buy new bras and underwear every month? What?! That seems like such a waste of money!
Stephanie recently posted…Shopping Ban Rules
My bra size is never in stores and I like pretty ones that must have underwire,and God forbid, no padding, so they are usually wicked expensive. I wait for clearances online. If I see a really good buy, I get it. Bare Necessities and there is one other one, I forget the name, that I use!
Love, Steph’s Momma