I love my birthday. Like, I kept a countdown in my assignment notebook in middle school. I use it as an excuse to celebrate all month long. March is also a great birthday month -- it's spring, I get aquamarine as my birthstone -- and the day, March 15, or the Ides of March, which is the day Julius Caesar was assassinated (just a little fun fact for ya). It's great!
In honoring of turning 23, I thought I'd share a birthday bucket list. These are 23 items I want to hopefully do or experience during my 24th trip around the sun.
1) Go on a road trip with my best friends.
It doesn't even have to be far! A weekend getaway would be great.
2) Try new recipes.
I'd really like to get into baking more. A life goal of mine is to find that one signature recipe that I'm always asked to bring.
3) Land a paid writing job.
Freelance, copywriter, editor -- anything! I just want to use my degree, man.
4) Discover hidden gems in Milwaukee.
I know there's so many and I love supporting local small businesses.
5) Participate in a writing contest.
I don't care if I win anything. I just want more opportunities to improve my writing.
6) Get a manicure just for fun.
A philosophy I'm trying to incorporate in my life is that any occasion can be a special occasion. I don't have to save something or wait to do something until it's a "special" occasion. The last time I got a real manicure (and not the $5 press-ons from Target) was junior prom!
7) Paint with watercolors more often.
I have so many watercolor sets that I need to use. I've used watercolors in my bullet journal a few times and it was really fun to experiment.
8) Do a Color Run.
This may not be possible just yet, but a Color Run has always been on my bucket list.
9) Improve my vocabulary.
In case you haven't noticed, I love words and languages. Improving my vocabulary can also mean words in other languages! Lately I've been listening to Korean and French music and I'd love to keep a vocab list from those songs.
10) Watch more documentaries.
My mom bought a subscription to Curiositystream, a streaming service dedicated to just documentaries. I want to watch some on cats!
11) Learn to be a better conversationalist.
I'm an introvert, so small talk is difficult for me. I also often have the attitude of 'if I don't have a reason to talk to you I won't', which isn't always the best.
12) Plan my next trip to Europe.
It's been two years since I left for Germany, and I really missing traveling. I'm always game to go back to Germany, but France and Italy have been on my mind, too.
13) Redo one of my wall galleries in my room.
I have two wall galleries in my room (one above my bed and the other above my plush chair). I've never been happy with the small one but haven't taken the time to redo it.
14) Take a dance class.
I took ballet for about four years in elementary school and I loved it. I've always wanted to take a class or two.
15) Create a scrapbook.
I've been meaning to make one for my study abroad trip since I got home.
16) Go on more walks.
Walks are good for the body and the mind. As the weather is getting warmer, I want to get outside more.
17) Query my Cinderella novel to an agent.
Querying an agent means asking them to represent my book to publishers in hopes they'll buy it. My goal is to get rejected. A lot.
18) Plan picnic dates with my friends.
Picnics are just so fun and I love making things look pretty. Cottagecore vibes all around!
19) Take an art class.
I took an art class every year in high school and I miss them. I love making art, but I'm not talented enough to just make something. I need to be told what to do.
20) Buy fresh flowers more often.
See number 5. Flowers make me happy and I don't need a reason to buy them.
21) Write another book.
NaNoWriMo 2021, here I come.
22) Take more steps towards being who God wants me to be.
Each year of life I'm given is a blessing and I want to give it back to God!
23) Learn embroidery.
I've been obsessed with the embroidery trend lately and would love to be able to do it myself.
I'm not sure if I'll do everything on my birthday bucket list, but it's always nice to have idea of things to do and experience.