101 Things To Do In 1001 Days
Someone recently introduced me to this concept (they are actually about to start their second list) and I was really taken by the idea of a super list with lists within it (I’m a sucker for a good list)!
On actually taking the time to draw mine up (several weeks and just as many drafts), I realised exactly how much I really wanted to do (and still hadn’t done so far in my life).
The first 80 were easy, the next 20 harder. Then I had an epiphany. I’ve since had to have a massive cull (more for next time I suppose)!
I have really tried to push the boundaries on challenging my capabilities and putting myself outside of my comfort zone on occasion.
This list will give me clear goals and direction for the next 1001 days. In addition, getting to fulfil some lifetime goals and embarking on a journey of self discovery!
Start date: 1st August 2012
End date: 29th April 2015
Key:
In progress (but not completed)
Completed
Incomplete (not yet started)
The list itself:
- Make a list of steps to increase my make-up artistry work
I qualified as a VAI theatrical & media make-up artist over 10 years ago with the intention of changing my career. Sadly, this has gone the way of a paid hobby. I would like to make a step in the right direction.
- Visit new 5 overseas locations
I really enjoy travelling to different places and meeting different people. One must be in a country I haven’t visited before, so, finances may restrict this.
- Create a capsule wardrobe.
I have far too many clothes. Many are old, don’t fit, mismatched or impulse buys. This will reduce my regular dilemma of what to wear.
- Set up an effective system to manage my paperwork
I have a huge backlog of statements & receipts and need get them reduced in volume and so I can keep it in order without it being such a chore.
5. Throw away 101 items
I have a very cluttered home at the moment. I hate to throw things away there’s always the thought that it will come in handy for something, one day. This will be a good exercise to be more decisive in decision making.
- Sell 101 items on eBay
Anything I no longer want or use. The funds from which will forward treating myself and funding other items on this list.
- Recycle 101 items
Items which I cannot sell will be sent to a recycling bin or donated to charity.
- Refresh existing & develop new make-up artistry skills
I have not really pushed myself in the last few years and this will assist me in creating a higher quality in my portfolio. I will make a list of at least 10 skills I want to improve e.g. making my own latex prosthetics.
- Redecorate my kitchen/dining room
I spend a lot of time in my kitchen and entertain a lot there. It is in relatively good condition but needs freshening up – a repaint, new work tops and I would like to complete my long laid plans of reupholstering and re-varnishing my chairs
- Take a photography class/join a club
I studied photography when I was at art college and my skills are somewhat rusty these days. It would be nice to take a really good photograph using an SLR/DSLR camera and would help in building my makeup portfolio and taking pictures while travelling around.
- Go the Globe Theatre London to watch at least one Shakespeare play
I have read a lot of Shakespeare’s plays and watched a few too. I always seem to miss the season here so would be amazing to finally get round to enjoying the atmosphere of this venue.
- Watch 20 new films outside of Cineworld
I love watching films and want to increase the variety of quality films I’ve viewed. At present I have seen over ½ of the 250 top IMDB list so need to set a challenge. I will now look at the 1001 list on IMDB as a guide and ensure that at least 5 are foreign films. Recommendations are welcome.
- Go and see 5 stage productions
I enjoy going to the theatre and would like to do this more often.
- Attend 6 music events (min 2 never seen before).
I enjoy listening to live music; it really gives me a buzz and need to get back into it.
- Stop smoking
A long standing battle of mine and would nice to be able to put this one to rest.
Commenced 14th October 2012 (slip ups 10/11/13 & 25/01/13)
- Create a health & fitness plan & stick to it
My weight has fluctuated over the last 10 years and I would like to generally improve my health & fitness levels.
- Fill a sketchbook with drawings
I went to prestigious art college a while ago and I feel this is a talent I have (which gives me great pleasure) that is not used enough.
- Complete Greek Modern Language level 3
Communicating with locals is very enriching and beneficial. It would be good to get another step towards my degree!
- Read my height in books 5' 3" (20 of these must be suggested by others)
I hope to beat this as I am rather short when not in my usual 4” heels! I’m sure I will benefit from widening my reading spectrum. It will also give me the incentive to visit the library more frequently.
- Reduce alcohol intake
This is a biggy for me as I do like my booze. I will formulate a plan which shall include giving up alcohol for 2 months. I’m sure it will contribute to my health & fitness no end and promise to still partake of all of my usual social events!
- Make a list of 50 things I like about myself and put it on my mirror
Everyone has their low days and this will be an ideal pick me up
- Write a letter to 5 people who have positively influenced me/changed my life for the better
I will send each of them a handwritten letter thanking telling them why, and thanking them.
- Go orienteering
I enjoy long walks and would be fun to actually have an aim as opposed to my usual wandering round in a rough direction. Something new for me!
- Go shooting
Something I’ve always wanted to do and will improve my hand eye coordination. Not sure whether clay pigeon, rifle range or hunting yet.
- Make my own sausages & cook them for friends outside on a barbecue
I enjoy cooking and sausage making has always looked rather fun.
- Take a 3 dish cookery challenge
I feel I am quite accomplished in the kitchen but don’t think I challenge myself enough. Suggestions welcome.
- Run in a 10k race
I entered the B&Q race 3 years ago but had to pull out at the last moment due to ill health. I have run in 5k races with ease, but need to push myself further.
- List 12 places I’d like to visit within English Heritage & National Trust within the 1001 days
I like to get out and about and am often stuck on where to go, so having a list makes decisions easier.
- Listen to a new album each month
I enjoy a variety of music but haven’t made the effort for a few years and listen to the radio, mostly (laziness?).
- Make 6 people a piece of jewellery
I find it very relaxing and will be nice to make gifts of them.
- Baby/pet/house sit for 3 people
I own a cat myself (Poppy) and often rely on others to look after her while away. I t can often be hard to find people prepared to help out so will be nice to return a favour – not everyone has a pet.
- Visit The Tower of London and attend the ceremony of the keys
I have walked past here many times through work, but have never had the time to go in.
- Make a cake a month and give it away to someone
Another area in my cooking skills that I neglect is baking sweet things. Who’s going to say no to a home made cake?
- Introduce more wildlife into my garden
I love my garden and it would be good to see a wider variety of creatures in it (even making a home for them).
- Attend a classical music concert
I really enjoy this genre and listen to it on the radio when I need to de-stress. I’m not sure where I will go, but will have the opportunity to have a think about it now.
- Learn a magic trick
It will make a change from my usual “drinking” tricks and can hopefully wow people at dinner parties & weddings!
- Take a course/get help on improving my computer skills (or lack of them!)
I took GCSE computer studies, but this was before the internet! I refer to myself as a techno-idiot and would like to be more knowledgeable and self reliant in this field. I will include in this how to create a blog or another method to hold this list and regularly write about my progress (hopefully getting feedback).
- Make a list of 100 interesting English words and add them to my active vocabulary
Whilst I do talk a LOT, it would be useful to have a wider and more interesting vocabulary.
- Make a recipe book from all loose ones I own
I had, at one point over 300 cookery books. I had a cull but still have a bucket load of loose recipes hanging around. They must be tried and tested by me. And (as part of this) I will share 10 of my successes with others.
- Take a flight in a helicopter
A real thrill, if expensive so I will choose where I do it very carefully to maximise the memory.
41. Visit 2 public gardens
Gardening & plants are a love of mine and need to stretch past Hampton Court Flower Show!
42. Do a self check once a month
It’s easy for me to loose direction in life and how I conduct myself.
- Learn how to play backgammon or chess
Something I’ve never really tried and I think this will be good as it will exercise my brain and could even be fun.
- Visit the cinema at least twice a month using my Cineworld card
I pay for membership but don’t make enough of an effort to go.
- Go camping at least 5 times
I used to go camping a lot when I was younger and a pastime I really miss.
- Make something for Oscar, my nephew
He is currently 2 months old and would like to make quality keepsakes for him. They must be delivered in person as this will mean I make a conscious effort to visit regularly.
- Go zorbing
Bit of a thrill but will probably scare me witless.
- Visit 10 new places in the UK & NI
There is many a place here that I would like to visit. I will make a list which I will try to cover all countries.
- Go on a 10m bike ride
I have a new bike and it would be really good to push myself on distance as at present I go to the shops or work and not much of a challenge.
- Try a new restaurant every 6 months
I love food but often end up going to the same dozen restaurants. This will help with broadening my culinary experiences.
- Make a daily/weekly/monthly beauty regime and stick to it
I should look after myself more than I do and shall treat it as a pamper as opposed to a chore.
- Volunteer to do charity work 6 different occasions
I have helped out with various charities before and have found it really rewarding and will be of benefit to them in times of recession.
- Buy a new iPod or similar device
To allow me to listen to more music on the go.
- Climb a mountain
Not sure which one yet but will be a great accomplishment and hopefully an amazing view (with pictures).
- Sell old cameras & film to aid upgrade to a DSLR camera
This will aid success of other items in this list. Looking forward to buying one although I will probably get a 2nd hand one and will need to do some research, so may take a while to find the right one. Suggestions?
- Rid the pond of duckweed
It’s overwhelmed with the stuff following theft of a contaminated oxygenating plant from my parents pond while they were away – must show no signs for 3 consecutive months.
- Make a piece of art/sculpture/display for the garden
Nice talking point for guests when the weather is good enough to sit out!
- Get someone else to set a task for me to do on this list
Help required here, please!
- Throw 3 themed parties
I love getting together with friends/family for parties. I would like to throw a fancy dress, cocktail, wine & cheese – maybe even the same time for one of my birthdays in the 1001 days!
- Have a car boot sale
I have a load of things including garden plants I potted up to sell and haven’t got round to it.
- Help someone with something their list
Might even be a new experience for me!
62. Create an up to date birthday/Christmas wish list with useful/practical things
I never know what I want for my birthday so end up receiving alcohol, chocolates or toiletries. It will be nice to be specific or get people to club together for a larger item.
- Get my tattoo refreshed
I got a tattoo of my cat Bonny when I was 18. It’s a little faded and I lost her feet early on so would be nice to bring her back to life and maybe add something to compliment it (must be self designed & have personal meaning).
- Learn to ride a horse properly
I’ve ridden about 4 or 5 times and would be nice to have more confidence on such a majestic creature.
- Get properly measured for a bra & throw away all my underwear and start again
A really bad hoarder on this front! I have a whole draw of really nice stuff but would be nice to get one that definitely fits. I will do this once I have hit target weight as this affects size!
- Learn how to identify 10 different constellations
I love looking at the stars and will be nice activity to do when camping or on holiday abroad.
- Catch a fish myself from a boat & cook & eat it
Been in a boat before, caught my own fish before, but would be good to do them all at once.
- Don’t swear for a week
I can have a very foul mouth on occasion so would be good to keep this in check – the increased vocabulary will assist me in expressing myself (not to be done in my alcohol free spell – far too easy otherwise)!
- Spend a minimum of one day without technology
I shall ‘unplug’ from all technology for a minimum of 24 hours. This will have to be a day when I am not working in the office as this wouldn’t be viable otherwise, unless I wanted to be sacked!
- Learn how to say I love you in 10 different languages
Everyone likes to be told they’re loved, and a nice one for friends & family!
- Milk a cow/goat & make my own cheese
Hopefully I won’t get trampled or poison anyone!
72. Take a self portrait for each month during the 1001 days
This will be a good record of how I change over the duration of the project. I will add a one word comment on my mood the day I capture my image.
- Invest in a quality wrist watch
We spend a lot of time obsessed with it. Might as well be a nice piece.
- Find/take 10 pictures of myself I'm happy with and say why I like them
I don’t really like most pictures of myself so will help me be less self conscious and happier with my appearance.
- Make a make up brush tool belt
I have the fabric & a good sewing machine, just never got round to doing it and will be invaluable on set.
- Write a letter to myself to read at the end of the 1001 days
Good to see how my thoughts and feelings change of the period.
- Complete a 10,000 piece jigsaw puzzle
I enjoy doing puzzles but haven’t done one this big.
78. Attend 2 live sporting events
I enjoy the buzz of being in the crowd and soaking up the atmosphere.
- Own a pair of diamond earring studs
Apparently, they are a girl’s best friend!
- Go to a theme park and ride every ride
I love theme parks and love the thrill of a ride.
- Have a healthy portfolio of stocks/shares/ISAs/similar investments and increase it by 20%
- Frame 10 pictures and hang them in my house
Something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time.
- Learn Thai massage
I had my first Thai massage whilst on holiday recently and loved it. I will give one to 10 friends (ask
that they make a donation to a charity of their choice).
- Go and watch a film on my own
Outside my comfort zone. As whilst I’m fine in my own company, find it hard to do things in public on my own.
- Make a list 20 galleries, museums & exhibitions to visit in the 1001 days
Visit a minimum of 10 (at least 3 of them should be free admission)
- Sort, file & label all of my photos.
It’s a mess.
- Plant a tree on Earth Day
Earth Day is 22 April each year. Possibly something in my garden to promote new wildlife.
88. Visit 2 food Festivals
Food is fun, isn’t it!
- Influence someone else to make a list
As someone did for me.
- Make my own jam/marmalade and give 75% away to friends/family
Yummy!
- Successfully grow 3 types of vegetables
My efforts here have been sporadic over the years.
- Eat 3 things I’ve never tried before
I eat most things but should really push myself in new stuff. Souffle, chicken hearts
- Learn the alphabet in sign language
That way, someone can understand me in a slowed down version.
- Take a picture of the same place every month for a year then make it into a calendar
I love the range of seasons here and would be great to capture their beauty.
- Be silent for an entire 24 hours
This will be a very challenging task as I always talk – even in my sleep. Hopefully, I will have a better understanding of quality not quantity!
- Learn to dance a full dance e.g. salsa/tango
I love dancing but don’t do it enough, well with any co-ordination/sobriety!
- Do some guerrilla gardening
This is gardening on land that the gardeners do not have legal right to use, often an abandoned site or area not cared for by anyone. I will find a local group, enlist some friends or less likely, do it on my own.
- Go a month without crisps/snacks
They are my downfall so this will be a hard task.
- Make a Rube Golding machine
This will be quite outside my normal realm of tinkering so any success will be interesting (wasn’t great at physics or design technology at school but feel I’ve had to be more creative owning a home).
- Eat vegetarian only for a fortnight
I love meat so will really miss it but will give me the change to explore food from a different perspective.
- Refer back to this list every week
I must update progress I’ve made and ensure I write in my hopefully, newly created blog as well.
