Today is my 27th Birthday. Oh eck. I’m leaving behind that period known as your “mid twenties” which when you’re younger looks so full of hope and joy (it’s a lie, avoid them at all costs) and moving on in to the “late twenties” tag. Where the pressure to “settle down” and “get your life together” steps up. Well, that doesn’t look like it’s happening any time soon, so pass the gin and cake. In the meantime I’m going to set myself some targets. These will be in the form of 28 things to do before I turn 28. I have done similar before (over on Tumblr though, this time I’m going to properly do it on here and track them). I’ve already got some general goals for 2015, but these are more “do such and such” sorts of things.
1. Climb a new Munro
I’ve climbed Ben More (on the Isle of Mull) twice now, and I was supposed to climb Ben Cruachan last year for WaterAid (it fell through). I have an itching to climb as many of these as possible, so it has to happen.
2. Get my bakes stocked somewhere
I’ve a couple of things in mind here and hope I can get the ball rolling.
3. Go on a walk/hike challenge.
Something properly long, for instance 30 miles plus. I want to properly challenge myself. (this may be sorted at the start of May)
4. Do a sponsored event for charity.
Someone find me a 10k or something. I want something to aim for and work towards.
5. Send out a Cake Care Package once a month.
This is already well under way. I’ve already got a couple planned in for March and I’m aiming to keep them going. If you want one, drop me an email. I’ve got an every growing list. It has priorities (I send it to people that are down more than I do just for the sake of it).
6. Try 5 completely new foods.
Last year I ate a few completely new things. Not talking dishes, but items of food that I previously couldn’t bring myself to eat. I am historically a picky eater, so this is all about me trying to improve how I eat. I mean last year I discovered a love for radishes, kale and quinoa, who knew?
7. Go bouldering/climbing.
This is one I’ve wanted to do for a long time now. There’s a climbing place near my office but it just comes down to confidence, or a lack of it.
8. Read 5 new books by 5 new Authors
I have a habit of getting stuck on an author and re-reading them again and again (See: Weel of Time Saga – Robert Jordan or anything by JRR Tolkien). Suggestions please.
9. Make my own alcohol.
This is either going to be beer, gin or wine. I really want to try my hand at it and have for a while. (Without even knowing I was writing this my fucking amazing friends clubbed together and got me tickets to the Ginstitute in London)
10. Get a penpal.
I like writing letters. Wanna volunteer, tweet me or email me.
11. Get my first tattoo.
Sorry if you’re reading this Mum & Dad. I’ve had the concept decided on for ages and have a couple of artists in mind (it just comes down to money).
12. Have a driving lesson
I started learning when I was 17, as most people did. Then one day, my driving instructor just didn’t show up. I never got back in the swing of it, but I need to, or various reasons.
13. Try and do a Video Recipe (Vlog)
We will see with this one. I’d need the equipment and a more stable living situation.
14. Read 3 classics which I’ve not read before.
I read a couple last year, I want to read a couple this year. Any suggestions on which of the classics are must reads?
15. Take an evening class in something new.
Drawing? Painting? Spinning on my head?
16. Have a “yes” day
I’m a pretty negative person. Having a day where I said yes to everything would possibly kill me.
See how the other half live, ya know?
18. Go camping
I love camping. I also haven’t done it properly in years. Festivals do NOT count.
19. Do a minimum of 12 “cooking” posts
I want to mix things up and start doing more meals/cooking on the blog, rather than just baking. I’ve done a few in the past and they are usually quite well received.
20. Increase my “prop” collection
I currently have very little to use for when I’m taking photos etc for the blog. I need to start scouring charity shops etc to try and increase this.
21. Random act of kindness
Do this for a complete stranger. I’m not just talking about something small, or being polite. I mean go the whole hog and really help someone.
22. Re-skin my blog
I’ve been unsure about my theme for a while now and I want to change it, my main bugbear is that there is no proper content on my front page. While that looks good I feel it doesn’t draw people in too much.
23. Network
Since starting this blog it has helped put me in touch with some other wonderful bloggers. This year I want to try and meet a fair few of them.
24. Run
I mainly exercise using my exercise bike. When it gets a bit warmer though I am going to force myself to mix thing up and go out for a couple of runs.
25. Be happier in myself
This is a more broad/vague one. I have… dips… sometimes where I get really low. I want to make a conscious effort this year to try and make myself more happy and do things that make me happy.
26. Live perminently outside my overdraft
The move to London made me take a massive step back in my finances. This year I am determined to tackle that.
27. Watch a WWE PPV without complaining, once.
This may be the hardest one ever.
If you can manage no 27 I’ll be very impressed! 🙂
I like your no 6 – It’s very tame in comparison, but I started off 2015 determined to make myself like eggs but I just can’t do it. Eggs belong in cake and that’s about it.
I’ll be amazed, but they are generally all manageable!
Eggs are awesome. I only started eating them a few years back. Still can’t do it cold, but generally love them.
Happy day of birth 🙂 I am confused why only 27 before 28?! And also, why no Alpaca farm on there.
Sponsored event; how about the Great North Run? It’s an amazing challenge. Tattoo is a great pick. Lots of good stuff on your list 🙂
Hayley @ Tea Party Beauty
27 while I’m 27 (I couldn’t think of 28…). Haha I’m not as sold on Alpacas and I’ve also met a few on various walks I’ve been on in Devon/the Dales.
Yeah the great north run could be a thing, although the issue there may be when it is?
Thanks 🙂
Alpcas are aweome – I my change my mind when I see them in real life though.
GNR is usually late September early October, it’s amazing to do & such a brilliant atmosphere.
I would say extend number 13 and create a YouTube channel. I would totally subscribe and I’m sure many others would too!
Tahira | http://ramblingsofafoodaddict.com/
PS Happy Birthday! (again)
Yeah if I do vlogging it’d be a proper channel. I’d need to get properly practised first and it would be a big undertaking.
But thanks!
You’ll never nail the PPV one, but let’s see if you can handle Wrestlemainia.
Happy birthday Mike my man! Glad to have met you, hopefully see you again at some point this year. If you organise any sort of hike through your work just let me know and I’ll be pleased to join you.
Buckets & Spades
I’m already worried about Wrestlemania, they were slowly getting there and then ruined most of it last Monday on Raw.
Thanks Matt! I am sure I’ll see you again sometime this year. Give me a shout when you’re down.
And of course I will do!
I’m sure you always say this, you’re like my mate….can’t enjoy it! Though I do know what you mean, but I did think the Randy segment was funny. RKO through the table was boss. I watched TNA the other day and they went straight in with actual wrestling. Hoping for a NXT match at ‘mainia.
Haha, I know I do whinge a lot. They’ve been messing up a lot lately though. As I just said on twitter apparently last night went a long way.
Unfortunately I think they’ll keep the NXT involvement to a minimum at mania, but I think we’ll get some call ups soon.
So I watched Raw, didn’t really think it was a good one. Maybe one good match, very talky this week and hardly any wrestling.
Often the case this close to Mania though, and with the poor storytelling lately I think they felt the need to try and save grace.
Love this! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Janet!
Happy birthday and good luck with your goals for the year! I’m sure there’s a business in the Cake Care Package – a limited number each month for people to treat someone who needs cheering up.
Yeah I’ve thought about that for a while. The only issue is it wouldn’t be cheap! It costs £8 per box I send just on postage (due to it having to be next day delivery!)
Thanks Daisy 🙂
I can’t get over just how sweet your cake care packages are. I didn’t know people did things as nice.
It’s a good list. A yes day might well kill me too, though I’m becoming more of a positive person these days so I’m getting there.
Penpals are fun, I’ve made some really good friends through writing to people I met on the internet… sounds a tad dangerous actually but hey.
Thanks Sophie! It’s just nice to actually make someone happy with my hobby.
A yes day could destroy me. I’m all about positivity, but I wouldn’t say I’m a positive person. If that makes any sort of sense.
Yup, penpals are wonderful. I really do need a new one actually. And don’t get me started on meeting people on the internet. A couple of my best friends now are people I met from Myspace years and years back!
These are brilliant goals! My mum makes her own sloe gin, I always help her pick the berries each year.
Networking is a good muscle to flex – and like muscles the more you do it the easier it becomes and the better you get at it. I’ve made so many lifelong friends through blogging.
Thank you! I always mean to make sloe gin and never get hold of the sloes!
I’ve been doing pretty well so far. I met up with a load of food bloggers on Friday in Brighton and it was great fun. Such lovely people!
I love meeting other bloggers – it’s probably my favourite thing about writing a blog.
It’s a bit of a sloe (har har) process to prepare the berries but worth it.
As do I! I didn’t seem to do much of it in Leeds but since I’ve moved I’ve been trying really hard. Met some great people so far.
Hah! Puns make the world go around for sure.