Make it Happen // 23 by 28

make it happen

Celebrating my first year of blogging with you all yesterday made for one hell of a Monday. The love and encouragement means more than you will ever know.

I’ve got my next list of aspirations mapped out and ready to share with the world, but I’m dubbing this one, “23 by 28” (see #1).


1. Make a shorter list. At the rate I’m going, I’ll have a list a mile long in just a few short years. If I’ve learned anything about blogging, it’s quality over quantity and I think that fits my list as well. 

2. Give this little blog the redesign she deserves (I’ll be enlisting the help of a pro)

3. Migrate the blog to WordPress (again, pro)

4. Launch a new blog column

5. Get a few head shots taken. I promise, this is the last one that is blog related!

6. Buy a house with my partner in crime, Pete (if that ain’t commitment, I dunno what is)

7. Learn calligraphy

8. Build a wardrobe without breaking the piggy bank

9. Run three half marathons and PR in a 5k. I cheated on this one a little because I’m already signed up for the Broadway Bridge Half Marathon in September, but maybe telling you all will force me to get serious about training? Let’s hope.

10. Take a road trip

11. Purge our apartment of all the items we no longer use/need and donate the good stuff. This should really account for more than one number, considering each room in our apartment needs tended to.

12. (Continue to) read more

13. Take a yoga class (I didn’t get to this last time around, but I really, really want to.)

14. Start or join a book club

15. Lose 5 more pounds and build some noticeable muscle mass. Prepare yourselves for more before and after photos.

16. Attend a running club

17. Venture outside of my comfort zone and start taking more risks (both big and small). After reading a post from Cedar and Rush a few weeks back, I feel pretty inspired to step outside of my comfort zone even more this year. I realize this is broad, but I’ll be sure to fill you all in on how I’m getting it done.

18. Run/walk/jog/elliptical my way through 1,000 miles

19. Cook dinner at home every week night for a month


20. Visit the Louisburg Cider Mill


21. Go an entire month without pop (soda or coke for all you non-mid-westerners)


22. Start an address book


23. Write a letter to myself to be opened on my 28th birthday

Did you notice a lot of these things cost the big bucks? Allow me to go ahead and add an extra number which will read: Get a second job.

It’s time for me to hit the ground running (both literally and figuratively). Don’t forget to enter the Celebration Giveaway – there is some serious loot up for grabs!

image via unsplash – direct link to unedited copy

Leave a Comment

38 Comments

  1. Awesome list, Jess! I’m thinking of starting my own list, but I find it so daunting to have to actually write down a list of goals I want to achieve. It’s a little scary! πŸ™‚

    Posted 7.15.14 Reply
  2. If you start a book a club, I’m in. Btw, Happy belated birthday! Hope you had a great celebration.

    Posted 7.15.14 Reply
  3. lexi wrote:

    I love this list (and definitely need to make one of my own!)
    xx Lexi, Glitter, Inc.

    Posted 7.15.14 Reply
  4. AnnicaNicole wrote:

    Awesome goals! Can’t wait to see you accomplish all of them!

    Posted 7.15.14 Reply
  5. Congrats and happy blog bday! Are you ever going to do a check-in post on your health/weight loss? I’d like to hear more about between your first post and now.

    Posted 7.15.14 Reply
  6. katie desir wrote:

    Love this! I read a book a month for my website if you’d like to join.

    Posted 7.15.14 Reply
  7. Give up pop for a whole month?!! You are stronger than me:) I tried one summer, but wasn’t able to kick the habit. It’s one of the few things I have to look forward to during the work day:) This is a great list. So many wonderful things to aspire to. Here’s to another great year!

    Posted 7.15.14 Reply
  8. Carrie Berschman wrote:

    Awesome list Jess! If you start a book club, count me in! That sounds like so much fun & something I have always wanted to be a part of! I also would love to learn calligraphy. I told myself that someday when I am engaged, I would love to hand address all my envelopes! Where/how can we learn?

    Posted 7.15.14 Reply
  9. Diana Leigh Baber wrote:

    I do a lot of yoga and go to a running club if you want to join me. Love this new list!

    Posted 7.15.14 Reply
  10. Rachel wrote:

    Hello! What a cute blog. I need a pro for my blog as well like ASAP! haha I have been dying to take a road trip too, and yoga needs to start happening around here I do too much running! I love 23! That is a really good idea I might have to steel it:)

    Rachel

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  11. Jessica wrote:

    Thank you Michelle! You definitely should – it helps with accountability! Let me know if you do πŸ™‚ I would love to read it.

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  12. Jessica wrote:

    I’ve had this response from quite a few people, so stay tuned! Thank you for the birthday wishes πŸ™‚ It was the best one yet!

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  13. Jessica wrote:

    Well duh!

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  14. Jessica wrote:

    Yay – thank you! I feel one coming on ASAP. Chuy’s is my new favorite spot, let’s make it happen.

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  15. Jessica wrote:

    I’m still toying with that marathon idea. Let me know if you venture back to KC for any halfs!

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  16. Jessica wrote:

    Thank you so much Alyssa! I am, promise! I’ve been asked that a lot lately, but look for some updates in the near future πŸ™‚

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  17. Jessica wrote:

    That’s great! Thank you so much for reading Katie!

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  18. Jessica wrote:

    Sounds crazy to me too. I don’t drink pop everyday, but it’s a terrible habit I have when I go out to eat (which is a lot). I’m so happy our paths crossed! πŸ™‚

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  19. Jessica wrote:

    Woo! You aren’t the only one who has said that, so hopefully I will get something put together soon! I want to do that too, so so bad. There is this amazing gal I found on Instagram @laurenessl and she does workshops, but she hasn’t done anything close to us yet. I’m crossing my fingers!

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  20. Jessica wrote:

    Thank you! I definitely want to join you for a running club in the fall (when it’s not a bajillion degrees). Keep me posted of when you go!

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  21. Jessica wrote:

    Hi Rachel! Thank you so so much πŸ™‚ Steal away! If you decided to write a list of your own, I would love to read it.

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  22. Rachel wrote:

    These all sound amazing and I could stand to do a few on this list too (especially blog related) and YAY for WordPress πŸ˜‰ Also, so cute! Good luck with finding a home, I would love to do that in the new few years πŸ™‚

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  23. Katie wrote:

    Girlfriend! If you’re looking for help with your redesign.. let me know! Always willing to help a fellow midwestern girl out!

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  24. Rachel wrote:

    Thanks I just might have to do that!

    Posted 7.16.14 Reply
  25. sandyalamode wrote:

    these are some great goals!!

    xo,
    Sandy
    Sandy a la Mode

    Posted 7.17.14 Reply
  26. Emily wrote:

    I love this! What a great list – I have many of these on my own as well. Also, I’m totally in if you start a book club!

    Isn’t That Charming.

    Posted 7.17.14 Reply
  27. catfishandcaviar wrote:

    Great list! It’s been about 3 months now without pop and I totally recommend it! I love the idea of writing a letter to yourself for next year!

    Posted 7.17.14 Reply
  28. Jessica wrote:

    I’ve got some serious work to do! haha πŸ™‚

    Posted 7.17.14 Reply
  29. Jessica wrote:

    Thanks girl! I’ll definitely look into it. Hope you’re having a great week πŸ™‚

    Posted 7.17.14 Reply
  30. Jessica wrote:

    Thank you so much Sandy! Hope you’re enjoying your new city πŸ™‚

    Posted 7.17.14 Reply
  31. Jessica wrote:

    I’m slightly list obsessed haha. The book club is happening sooner than I expected – I’ll keep you posted!

    Posted 7.17.14 Reply
  32. Jessica wrote:

    3 months?! Holy moly. I applaud you, girl. I don’t drink it all the time, but it’s sort of like my special treat. I would love to do away with it for good.

    Posted 7.17.14 Reply
  33. Great list, Jess! Can’t wait to watch you accomplish everything this year πŸ™‚

    Posted 7.18.14 Reply
  34. Jessica wrote:

    Yay! I’m so excited to get started. We totally missed out on the nice walking weather this past week. Let’s cross our fingers for cooler evenings next week.

    Posted 7.18.14 Reply
  35. Jessica wrote:

    It’s funny because yoga was on my last list and I didn’t get around to it for a whole year. I put it on my list again and went to my first class this week! It was amazing.

    Posted 7.18.14 Reply
  36. Jessica wrote:

    Thank you Miss Shanley! I’m lucky to know YOU. p/s I’m addicted to Chuy’s. I’m not even going to tell you how many times Pete and I have been. Date there soon?

    Posted 7.18.14 Reply
  37. I love this list – I am going to be stealing many of them for own! Isn’t it therapeutic to get everything down on paper?

    xx
    Here&Now

    Posted 7.20.14 Reply
  38. Jessica wrote:

    Yes, please do! I love reading what everyone is working towards in their life. It helps so much in the accountability department when I write it down (and share it on the internet haha).

    Posted 7.21.14 Reply