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An Update on my 101 in 1001 List

02/10/16 | 101 in 1001, Real Life

When I started out my 101 in 1001 list was a great idea, in theory, 101 things to do in 2.75 years. It was comprised of things that would get me out of the house, things that would make me take a step outside my comfort zone, and things that would make me a more well rounded person. An example? #35 Really learn how to use my DSLR.  I crossed this off in September 2015 and love the shot I took that month at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria, shown below. 

The Back of the Schönbrunn Palace

With my 1001 day deadline at the end of this year I have come back to the list many times thinking about what I would like to cross off next and what I have come to realize – some of these things I have no interest in doing. I don’t like quitting or even the idea of quitting but why should I do things don’t want to do for the sake of a putting a strikethrough across eight words? I have thought about this a great deal and have come to the conclusion that I am permanently crossing eleven items off the list.  Here is why: 

– – – – – 

9.  Be able to run five miles without stopping   I have made great strides on my fitness journey but when my doctor told me running could be detrimental to my knee I decided that this is a bad idea and thus, it is getting crossed off the list. 

15. Paint a wall in my new apartment a statement color  I moved into a wonderful studio a year and a half ago and painting is not allowed. As I do not want to risk doing anything to loose my security deposit this task is eliminated. 
37.    Eat Vegetarian for a month  Honestly, this one, I have no good reason other than I don’t want to. I have a hard time eating enough protein as is that the thought of cutting out chicken or fish for a month seems very counter intuitive to my larger goals. 
46. Go a month without buying anything on Amazon Prime  This is a great goal in theory but there are many items that are just so much more expensive at a local store here in NYC than on Amazon.  Everything from ski googles and Melatonin tablets to my UV protective lens filter and clear iPhone case would be more at any brick and mortar location and it does not make financial sense to not complete this task. 
49.  Spend a day with my Dad, doing whatever he wants  Between now and the end of this challenge, December 27th, I will be with my dad less than 10 days and we will definitely do things the family wants to do – not just items my father has on his wish list.  This was fundamentally a good idea, just not in practice.  
50. Spend a day with my brother, doing whatever he wants  Ditto to 49. 
60. Make balloon paint art I added this to my list after seeing it on Caroline’s 101 list and remembering that awesome scene from the Princess Diaries – the practicality of this one though is pretty much zero. I have looked in to it and there is nowhere within a three hour radius of me and I definitely do not have the space to set this up DIY. 
61. Get kissed in Paris Oh, this one is such a lovely idea on paper but it is not practical for a few reasons – the largest being that I will not be going to Paris. Instead of the City of Love I will be heading to Barcelona, Madrid, and London this year.  And I am totally okay with that. 

69. Watch all the James Bond movies  I am more than halfway done this goal but I have zero, no negative, interest in finishing it. I have seen all of the Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig Bond films along with a few of the early Sean Connery ones but it is the handful in the middle – I have started and stopped them a few times – that I am struggling with. I am not going to waste 15 hours of my life watching films I have no interest in seeing just to cross them off this list. Bye, bye. 

92.  Send Christmas cards to 100 people I seriously considered doing this Christmas 2015 and had a great offer from a company to create the cards for me in exchange for a review but I quickly came to realize I do not know 100 people I would want to send Christmas cards to and I was not going to spam acquaintances with unwanted mail. 

94. Go one month without drinking soda   Another one that I have attempted a few times. Perhaps if I did not work this might be obtainable but I am a nicer person and I am better at my job when I have Diet Coke. Yes, I am a caffeine addict, hi, nice to meet you. 

– – – – – 

I do not look at these as quitting – rather a practical reassessment of life. Heck, in my 9-to-5 I took a look at the goals I set a year ago and many of them did not apply as a dozen factors have changed, so it only make sense that this list, which spans three years, does the same. 

Have you done any of these items I am crossing off my 1001 list? 
 
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Comments

  1. Sandy "HC" Callan says

    February 12, 2016 at 3:30 am

    I see nothing wrong with reassessing your goals, girl! But I have one suggestion… Instead of painting a statement wall in your apartment sine it is against your lease, you should use removable wall paper to create one! This is what I did in my place and I absolutely love it! You can find this stuff on Urban Outfitters or places like West Elm and it’s not too pricey to only do one wall! I am absolutely obsessed with how mine looks!!! I need to start a blog just so I can show it off haha!

  2. Dheera says

    February 10, 2016 at 1:51 pm

    Great shot!!
    Dheera <3

    stylepanorama.blogspot.com

  3. Valentina says

    February 10, 2016 at 10:29 am

    Beautiful list. <3

    XoXo
    Valentina | DAILY SUIT

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

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