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There was a time when I put a lot of effort into the months and weeks before my birthday. Usually, because I wasn't just counting down to the day I'd turn one year older... But because I was also counting down to my annual trip to Boston to celebrate my birthday in my favorite city.
Unfortunately, those springtime trips to Boston ended after our sweet girl was born. And my birthdays turned into low-key affairs.
Today I turn 39 and I've already begun mentally preparing myself to welcome 40 in a year. I'm finally feeling settled in my career. We've started making our house feel like a home... So I've decided I can focus on myself a little bit more and concentrate on my personal well-being and growth. Because I still have so much more I want to do and I don't want the only thing I achieve in the next year to be turning 40.
Keeping that in mind, I've come up with my
40 Before 40 list -- 40 things I want to do before my next birthday. Using
this list as my inspiration, I kept the items on my list to things I thought I had a reasonable chance of doing.
My
40 Before 40 list isn't limited to completely new experiences. I wanted to use the list as a way of challenging myself to get out and explore the world around me a little bit more. This list is a reminder that, yes, I have a career that I'm pushing hard to maintain... I have a family that I'm committed to supporting and two kids I'm dedicated to raising the best way I know how... But I'm also an individual who has interests and needs that need attention.
So... Happy 39th Birthday to me... I'm looking forward to the road to 40!
40 Things to Do Before Turning 40
1. Pay off one student loan
2. Go to the beach
3. Visit with a girlfriend I haven't seen in a long time
4. Volunteer locally
5. Attend an orchestra concert
6. Freshen up hairstyle
7. Try something new
8. Plan
another mother-daughter trip with C
9. Plan a special mother-son outing with J
10. Attend a Red Sox game at Fenway Park
11. See a favorite artist/band in concert
12. Attend a theatre performance
13. Plan a staycation at a local B&B
14. Buy a nice pair of shoes without worrying about the price
15. Schedule another
family session with a photographer
16. Get a manicure or pedicure
17. Start growing herbs at home
18. Visit the zoo
19. Buy a lottery ticket
20. Perform one random act of kindness every day for one week
21. Hire a
cleaning service to do a deep clean of the house
22. Learn how to bake bread
23. Go to the movies
24. Visit an art museum
25. Visit a local vineyard/winery
26. Go to a planetarium
27. Buy a piece of art I love
28. Go on a hike
29. Plan an outing with my sister
30. Spend an afternoon reading
31. Take a cooking class
32. Buy something at the flea market/antique store
33. Sign up for a fitness class
34. Finalize will
35. Hire a financial planner
36. Get a massage
37. Do something good for someone who doesn't know who I am
38. Explore a new city
39. Make something creative with my hands
40. Visit a new area of Connecticut
Do you have a similar leap list? What items do you have on your list?
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One year ago:
Our Monthly Dinner Plan (March)
Two years ago:
Spicy Penne all'Arrabbiata {and the Willingness to Suffer}
Three years ago:
Vanilla Bean Basmati Rice Pudding
Four years ago:
Menu Plan: May 10 - May 16
Five years ago:
Scotty's Breakfast - North Haven, CT
Six years ago:
Fashionable Fitness Wear from Albion Fit
Seven years ago:
The JC100: A Celebration of Julia Child {Recipe: Rolled Omelette}
Eight years ago:
Roasted Curried Cauliflower
Nine years ago:
Featured Friday, Volume 1.5
Ten years ago:
Baked Stuffed Caprese Chicken with Balsamic Reduction
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