Great job everyone! I love how many people have jumped on board!
If you have ongoing things try to take satisfaction not just in “checking something off the list” but increased satisfaction with yourself and your life!
I wish there was a “love” response for this @ClassicMom98
This can mean so much to a lot of people.
So… we’re 2 months in.
Any updates?
Thanks for the reminder - I haven’t been doing great.
@taverngirl that’s OK - still 10 months to go!
I’m doing well on some things, not so well on others.
I didn’t have a formal list but did want to start sewing all the fleece I’d been buying at thrift stores. I have made about 20 blankets so far and am almost done with all the ‘matched’ fabric. I have another 15 or so pieces that are either the backing fabric or a printed front with no backing fabric, but part of the challenge is to not buy any more fabric! I will soon finish the matched pieces and then will probably go back to baby blankets (have plenty of fabric for those too).
It doesn’t seem like it, but I am making progress toward the mounds of fabric in my room. It’s just that there was SOOO (or is it sew?) much of it. One thing that has helped me with this goal is a dedicated cutting table set up in a second room. Now if only that table was counter height…
Thank you for bumping up! My monthly reminder reminded me to check my list yesterday!
I’m doing fine. Out of 20 I have five or so “done” and a couple others in action. Some are more timely (like I need summer or better weather to complete). A few I’ve done:
Got a new haircut. 
Took two pottery classes.
Institute meatless Mondays - have stayed meatless all Mondays so far!
More evening reading, less news.
I have “explored” joining a book club and baking bread - but have more to learn and figure out before I feel like I’ve “completed” this.
My intent with this list for me is never a race to get them done. To me, that’s a “to-do” list. I think this as more of my “ta-da!” list (another term from Gretchen Rubin and her podcast!!) - "Ta da! - look at how my life is better because of these subtle changes.
I loved this thread when it started and did make a list for 2020 inspired by y’all.
Happy to report that I have completed a few of the items-
CHECKED OFF LIST:
-Mammogram (it’s been 3 years - didn’t realize it was that long)
-Found a new Family Practice Doctor (mine retired 5+ years ago and I have not gone to anyone since - turns out I love the new Dr - also I have completed all follow up tests/exams and I am feeling physically better than I have in years.
-increase vegetables and whole fruit
-Clean out kitchen cupboards - 50% complete (completed 2 large food cabinets still have spices and then upper levels of dishes/pots & pans cabinets)
-Went out with a group of friends both January and February (we say we will get together but are so busy it typically happens 3-4 times a year.)
-flossing and using mouthwash 2X a day (should have been doing this all along but often would skip the flossing)
There are many things left but I am happy to have a few important things tackled (the Dr. is HUGE as it is something that I have been avoiding for some unknown reason.)
This thread impacted my health and daily happiness more than I ever imagined.
^^^ Aww, great job @bamamom2021 !!! I am you. I’m terrible on my appointments. But when I do one, I feel SO accomplished!
Checking in. I’m a bit down/anxious about my list (or really life in general). It may appear that many of mine won’t get done due to $$$ or the coronavirus. 
The positives: I’ve done quite well with my eating. I’m looking as fit as I can ever remember. My running fitness isn’t what I’d like, but as I told H “how many times have you known me to be happy with how I look?” Or maybe like I told my mom as a bratty teen “Maybe you’ve just lowered your standards.” LOL. I also finished book 8 yesterday. And H and I have done a lot more fun and different things this year.
The negatives: I’m already waffling on the April 5K because I don’t think it’ll be as fast I want, and I’m already beginning the justification talk on why I shouldn’t do it. The beach motel in March isn’t happening. H isn’t going to plan it, and we really need the $$$ for other necessary things anyway. S’ internship in Spain in May-June is on the fence, and if he doesn’t go, there goes our summer European vacation. I would rather they just cancel and I’ll deal with it. I do NOT do well with “wait and see.” (I admit this is stressing me out/depressing me far more than it should) I also am stressing about the economy collapsing and older S’ financial sector job going away before he can begin in August. My nephew had that happen to his engineering job last year, and then got a job to start teaching in China this past January. He’s still here waiting to be able to go…
The rest of the list seems to be intact. And H and I may start working on our attic sooner than spring break. We are finally going to get it redone end of April. (hence, the need for $$$). The 100+ y.o. sheetrock/insulation has been continually falling down and is maybe half gone. We will have it completely taken down, with new insulation/board tacked up.
Re: the gym compliments… I haven’t done too many more in the last month, but I have tried to be friendlier and make small talk in the locker room… there’s one dude I really want to talk to, but I’m chicken. (blush)
@ClassicMom98 , the things you can’t control, those are not strikes against you.
If this is a true Happiness List it should provide more moments of happiness than angst. Feeling fit is such a HUGE happiness boost - it’s a place many only hope to be!
And I say take the Garmin off (or however you track time) and run the 5k for FUN. Make that deal with yourself from the start. I can almost guarantee you will finish and still have some good things to say about being part of the race. Race stress is real. Try to convince yourself you’re not going to race you’re just going to run 3.1 miles with a bunch of people.
@abasket For me, there’s never been much fun in racing. I only race to be competitive (with myself) and having a firm number on where I stand at the moment. Every other aspect of it, I generally hate. Enjoying the atmosphere and camraderie of other runners just doesn’t do it for me. I’d rather save the $$$ and time and run by myself in the dark. And, as I generally run 3x the distance of a 5K, completing it isn’t the problem. I put it on the list because there is a satisfaction to pushing myself past my comfort zone and facing that I am not as fast as I used to be (and will never be), and being OK with that. But I’m not sure I’m OK with that right now… (Sorry to be a Debbie downer. It being Monday doesn’t help. I don’t mean to jump on you.)
Checking in for encouragement. Still working on resetting my food intake from the holidays. There’s a major emotional component that I’m trying to address in a healthier way. Nice to see the successes here, and very helpful!
I need to revisit my list to see how I’m doing. One item on my list I am feeling joyful about is that I wanted to spend time with my local children each month. I am 2 for 2 with my D. The best part is that in the beginning of February she texted me to look at my calendar so we could put our date on the calendar. After the February date she remembered she had a certificate for that restaurant that she forgot to use. She texted that we will just have to go again. Makes me smile. Local kid number 2 is a male. Not as much luck with that one. I’ve seen him but not had a planned one on one. I’m as guilty as he is, if I remind him it can happen.
@ClassicMom98 I have several travel items on my list too. A tentative trip with a good friend has been scratched due to corona virus. I’m disappointed because while we want to plan something we all get busy. I have a big trip that I want to do in October to Italy. The news out of Italy has made me pause on that trip planning. I hadn’t booked anything yet.
Looking at my list I realize that the July family trip I planned has been canceled but my hope for a 2021 family trip has been moved up to 2020. That hoped for trip is planned and all booked for mid May. Keeping my fingers crossed that nothing gets in the way of that trip.
For those struggling I made a commitment several years ago to be happier no matter what is happening in my families lives. I also try to focus on what I have accomplished versus fixating on what I didn’t do. I find that there is always something good I can redirect my focus on.
@ClassicMom98 maybe your not where you want to be for your race but you’re out there running.in my book that’s something to feel good about.
So a lot of things on my list (yoga, hiking, babysitting, pickle ball, job applications, etc…) haven’t been done because at the last minute my “retirement in lieu of lay-off” which was supposed to happen December 30th, has been postponed to July.
I have cut my ice cream consumption down to once a week (goal was 4/week). But I have been dieting prior to DDs wedding (end of March), so we will see what happens.
Also, I bought a new tennis bag, didn’t like it, went back to my old bag, and am now looking for a new one.
Thanks for the reminder to check on the list! I feel like I’m on track for most of the items. I’m have one new client and am close to getting another at work, which was a goal. I’m exercising several times a week, which hasn’t happened in decades! I started doing a weekly tennis class with my husband, which has been really fun. We also got a Peleton in January, and since I work from home, I now have absolutely no excuse not to do a quick 20-30 minutes on the bike. And it’s more fun than I thought it would be.
@tx5athome, I used to eat ice cream every day! On my list is cutting out dessert (and booze) at home during the week. Not a diet, really, just a sort of re-set after the holidays, and it’s working out better than I thought it would, so I’ll stick with it.
Besides the tennis the most fun one has been seeing at least one live performance every month. I’ve exceeded that goal and am looking forward to continuing the trend!
So many good things!!!
I thought I’d bump this up. Has the Corona situation helped or hindered with your list? I’m bummed that a lot of mine can’t happen.
- Continue taking Chinese ink brush class once a week in NYC NOPE CANCELLED
- Go to a museum after class since I never do any work when I get home anyway NOPE CLOSED
- Paint regular watercolor once a week – minimum 3x3 (good Instagram size) WAS DOING WELL - I’m two behind
- See 1 movie a month – preferably a new release - NOPE, but there are plenty of old movies to catch up on!
- Read 50 book - STILL ON TRACK
- Say no to doing any legalization architectural work - NO WORK, but I was getting pressured into doing a couple of jobs
- Say no to potential clients I don’t like on the phone - Almost fell for this one too, but see above.
- Exercise 3x a week and find a tracking system that works for me - DOING BETTER, though still not great about tracking
- Speaking of tracking, make my Bullet Journal work better - SO SO
- Eat vegetarian on weekdays - Had too many weekend leftovers last week
- Track food for one month - done, not tracking, but I am being more mindful
- Start a book club with two old friends who were PTA presidents with me - NOPE not happening
- Or at least play board games with them (see them every other month minimum) - NOPE not happening
- Update will, now that we finally know what our assets are - LA LA LA
- Set up a “When did I last ___?” page in Bullet journal, for chores, doctor appointments, car stuff etc. DID IT
- Hike at least every other week if weather is over 40 degrees and it is not raining. WALKING EVERY DAY
- Have a wine tasting party - YAY we did it before it was too late
- Work on expanding friendship group, probably by getting to know people I like in the neighborhood better - NOPE not happening
- Get a mini-split AC system - Didn’t get second bid, we will see if this will be possible
- Put a water feature in my garden so I can qualify for a Certified Wildlife Habitat® sign - Still a little early to figure this one out
I hope @mathmom that you can put some things back into play soon. <3
I too have some that are travel or visiting places related. It’s ok, hopefully that time will come.
I am still working on others. This is not a worry list it’s a happiness list so I’m not worried about a complete check off!
My main issue was that I wanted to be more in-person social this year. Oh well!