I never saw myself as a person who would get so caught up in work and routine that I would forget what it was to live, to be silly, to laugh for no reason at all. Just as every time I emphatically scream ‘NEVER’, it happened. I got so caught up that I hadn’t had a vacation in 2 years and I would choose work over everything else that brought a twinkle to my eye. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my job. The fact was that I had forgotten how to live.
I had started noting down all my dreams and fantasies (even ones from when I was 3 years old) into my journal of dreams and when I came across the Day Zero Project, I knew I had to sign up. This is my ‘I’m not going to trash this in the next time bin’. This is just to remind myself to slow down and live. Maybe I can inspire you to start one of your own.
If you haven’t heard of the project before – GO. NOW. SIGN UP. Really, you won’t regret it. Here’s how it works:
The Challenge:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past – frequently simple challenges such as New Year’s resolutions or a ‘Bucket List’. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities.
Identify 100 things that make me happyAsk 20 friends to suggest one book, and read them allFold a 1001 origami cranes for someone I loveLeave an inspirational note in someone’s book for them to findRead 100 books (100/100)Donate/Raise money for a causeSee 10 classic movies I’ve never seen (10/10)See a movie in 3DSleep under the starsRide on a tire swingHelp someone give birthSend a secret to PostSecretWrite a memory a day to be read on the NYE of 2012Learn how to play pokerWrite a songDance in the rainClimb a mountainHost a dinner partyExplore a caveCreate a photographic journal for one weekInfluence a person to make a day zero listBe in two states at onceTie a note to a balloon and let it goUpdate my resumeJump into a body of water fully clothedMake an iTunes playlist of 101 of my favorite songsLose weightRide an elephantLaugh until it hurtsGo on a safari in AfricaLive AbroadLearn how to take a compliment.Play spin the bottleGet an article published in a newspaper or magazineStart a fire with a magnifying glassQuit my job to follow my dreamsWatch a solar eclipseGo to a concert (I’ve never been to one before)Complete my Taize Scrap BookVolunteer in Africa for at least 3 monthsLearn and cook a 3 course Indian mealGet fit – Join a gymRun an art class for childrenLive by myself for a yearRide a geared bike (without fear of being road kill!)Sit at a railway station early in the morning and solve a crossword puzzle bought at station. Do this alone or with a loved oneGo backpacking without a planLearn a foreign language – French is not counted!Own a rescued animalSell one of my handmade cardsFly a kite againWatch an IPL/T20 match live (Preferably with RCB Playing)Get lost in a corn/daffodil fieldWrite a blogpost every month for a yearGet away for a week without telling anyoneStay out all night dancing and go to work the next day without having gone homeSign up on Postcrossing and send postcardsCustom paint a bikeWatch a lightening storm at seaChange my name for a day and do things I wouldn’t normally doGet kissed in the rainHave a ‘make a wish’ day every year and see it through! 🙂Allow someone to buy me a drinkDress up for onceGive out free hugs one dayStart cycling againGet someone I love to follow my holiday traditions 😉Have my palm read OR my astrological chart drawn outWrite a letter to myself on my birthday to open in 10 yearsGo on a ‘Bus Day’ in the local BMTC buses.Go on a picnicGo to a lighthouseGet a massageEat SushiCelebrate Christmas in SummerSpend a whole day at the beachCreate a piece of artplant a treeTake a Yoga classWatch the sunrise and sunset in the same dayGo campingFinish my African Adventure ScrapbookCustom paint a helmetAdopt another unusual animal/creature 😀Paint my face for a sporting eventOwn a charm keychainRide a camelBuy a laptopGet a smart phoneMake a coke and mentos eruption- Buy a Carroms Board – (Moved to Second List)
Complete a Pinterest ProjectConduct a Summer CampHave a Doctor Who marathonMeet the Poets of the FallDye my hairDo a 30×30 Challenge (30 minutes of physical activity for 30 days)Make a Kiva loanPlan my sister’s bachelorette partyCreate a scavenger huntDevelop a workout routine that doesn’t require equipment
Creating realistic deadlines to my long standing bucket list goals, writing them down and consciously making an effort to mark them ‘done’ is possibly the best decision I’ve made in a long time.
I even got to mark some things off my “Someday” list – some exciting things like
Scale a VolcanoBe a teacher at a kindergartenGo snorkellingVisit Singapore and MalaysiaVolunteer in AfricaLive on Mount KilimanjaroVisit the Taj MahalWitness the Serengeti Migration in Tanzania
The success of this list has inspired me to start working on another. While it’s still a work in progress, I hope I’m able to plough through it with the same rigour! Wish me luck?
This Labyrinth I Roam 
Inspiring 🙂
Oh! And Congratulations on finishing almost-everything on the list! 😀
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Thank you SO much Kimberly! Do you have a similar list even if in the back of your mind?
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That is just great. I admire your dedication to adventure, spontaneity and experience. Shows the power of simply writing down your dreams.
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Thank you SO much. I think that writing it down makes it more real than just day-dreaming about it. You’re absolutely right, it’s a great power!
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Your a real go get. Exciting bucket list. Nice blog you have here. Seen you comment over on Judy’s blog Petit 4 Chocolatier.
I would like to invite you to view, Savor the Food.
Thanks for sharing your blog with Us!! 🙂
Chef Randall
savorthefood.wordpress.com
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Thanks so much Randall! I love your blog as well. I’m following! And dreaming of beautiful food! Cheers!
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Thanks!! Food is great. 🙂 Thanks for the follow.
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Wow i like your fixity of purpose..! Whenever i am thinking of a new bucketish list item, i tend to waver..lol
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Haha, the ‘fixity of purpose’ can be a hindrance sometimes – where you’re so caught up in your list that you forget to go out on a limb once in a while. Wavering is good, Sam – it means you’re open to just go for it! \m/ Have you put your lists up somewhere? I must catch up! 🙂
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Good idea!
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Thank you so much!
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That’s awesome! I might think about doing this. Ha! #1 – Think about doing this. #2 – Do it!
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That’s a great list already Randee! DO it!
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Great list! I have goals that I want to achieve but I will be creating a bucket list now too!
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Wow, this seems like such a fantastic (yet daunting) idea. I love your blog design and content….so inspiring and interesting.
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Thank you so much CC! It isn’t so daunting if you take baby steps.
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Just read this and I’m definitely going to steal this idea (if I may of course.. I will definitely shout your name all over the web ;))!! So great to see you’ve done everything!
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Hey Judith! Thank you so much! I have a second list that I’m working through right now. Less dramatic, more practical. Still, I hope you do sign up for it!
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Haha I definitely will!! Looking forward to your next list… I’m going to work on mine this week :)!x
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Can’t wait to see it!
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Hi! I’m working on my 101 things in 1001 days right now! Do you mind if I use your line “Italics = In Progress. Strikethrough =Completed”…because it’s a good idea to show which things are in progress! Let me know 🙂
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Of course Judith. And when you’re done compiling it, do leave me the link. I’d love to see what’s on your list!
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Excellent. You accomplished so much. Congratulations:)
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Thank you so much! 🙂
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I’m so jealous that you finished nearly everything! I have a year and a few days left and I keep looking at my list and knowing some things just won’t get crossed off
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I think it goes without saying that a lot of these things you will never do. I think that’s the good thing of having a list you control, you can audit it every 6 months!
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