52 Things in 52 Weeks

Another year has flown by and again it’s that time of year where people reflect on the year that was, the life they led and put plans in place for the following year. But if you are anything like me, I absolutely HATE New Year’s resolutions (see why here) and I’m getting a little tired of the “new year, new you” mantra of self-love and self-improvement as well. So this coming year I’ve decided to do something a little different.

To say that 2018 was my best year would be a HUGE understatement. I wouldn’t say it was my worst year either. Let’s just call it the best worst year instead (lol).  But I am determined to make 2019 an awesome one by living life a little more and challenging myself with 52 things to do in 52 weeks. I thought it would be a good way to take charge and make my life that little bit more spectacular.

To explain, ‘52 in 52’ is a list of 52 tasks to try and complete in the 52 weeks of the year. The aim is to take time out of everyday life to complete them. They can be fun things, simple things, or necessary things. Perhaps they are things you’ve been meaning to do for a while now. It isn’t intended to be a ‘bucket list’ (that list is significantly more expensive and extravagant), it’s just a way to pry yourself out of a rut and simply enjoy life.

Here’s my list for 2019 (in no particular order)…..

1. Teach my niece something

2. Segwaying at Southbank

3. Mini golf at Victoria Park

4. Finish 3 books I’ve had on the go (I’m notorious for starting books and not finishing them)

5. Visit somewhere new

6. Box jump the gutter (can’t do it since chemo)

7. Organise a party

8. Dance in the rain with someone

9. Meet a celebrity

10. Win a prize

11. Watch 2 movies at 1 cinema in a day

12. Dinner by candlelight

13. Moonlight walk on a beach

14. Ride in a limousine

15. Have a picnic with someone

16. Have a water pistol fight

17. Eat something I’ve never tried

18. Drink only water for a week

19. Take pictures with 20 friends

20. Make a playlist of 101 of my favourite songs

21. Go strawberry picking

22. Do a good deed every day for a week

23. Visit an iconic location

24. Take a boxing class

25. Attend a parade such as St Patrick’s Day or a Christmas parade

26. Ride a scooter (the type kids ride, like a slimline skateboard with handle bars, not the motorbike/moped variety)

27. Take my mum to the theatre

28. Go snorkelling

29. Try SUPing (stand up paddle boarding)

30. Go to a zoo

31. Play a board game

32. Have friends over for dinner

33. Send a hand written thank you note

34. Make someone a birthday cake

35. Go to an art gallery/museum

36. Let someone else order for me in a restaurant

37. Attend a Comedy Club open mic night

38. Have a device free day

39. Watch a sunrise and a sunset (possibly in the same day!!)

40. Take a Thermomix cooking class

41. Visit Bogga Road Gaol

42. Movie at the moonlight cinema at New Farm with my dog

43. Feed the dolphins or go camping at Tangalooma (or both)

44. Relax and read my book at the botanical gardens

45. Girls cocktail night

46. Attend diner en Blanc

47. Write my niece a postcard from each new place I visit

48. Spend time with an old friend

49. Take a dance class

50. Eat at an ice cream parlour with someone special

51. Provide a meal for the homeless

52. Visit Byron Bay

So there it is. That’s my list. When I was writing my list, I got to about 39 on my own and then put it on my private Facebook page for my friends and family to help me fill in the last 13. The only criteria I gave them was that it needed to not be an expensive thing to do, to consider what I physically could and couldn’t do (so no climbing Mt Everest!!), not something I regularly do like volunteering, and not be a traditional type of “New Year resolution” such as getting fit or losing weight or “becoming a better person”. That’s not the point of the list. If it was, I’d make resolutions (oh wait… that’s right…. I don’t do NY resolutions. Lol).

The response from everyone was so wonderful that I think I could easily make another list for 2020! I had my list filled in very quickly! There were even offers to help me cross some of those tasks off or to come along and be my official photographer. Some were even inspired to start their own list.

If you would like to join in, all you have to do is make your own list of 52 tasks, one for each week of the year. You don’t have to routinely complete one a week. You might complete a few in one week and then not get to any for a few weeks. They could be knocked over in a day, be a week long, some could cover a month, or be ongoing for the whole year – that’s the beauty of it – YOU are in complete control.

If 52 things feels like biting off more than you can chew, why not try a list of 12 Things in 12 Months instead? Or maybe 19 things in 2019? Whatever takes your fancy. How about you tell me your thoughts in the comments below? I’d love to hear them.

Don’t forget to follow along on social media to see how I’m doing and to tell me how your list is going too. At the end of 2019, let’s check in with each other and see how we did. Remember, no pressure or guilt if you don’t get it finished. Your life is going to be spectacular even if you get half of them done. Are you ready? Let’s go! Bring on 2019!!!

Stock photos by pixabay.com