It all began with a few cliche quotes, a lost sense of self, and a perfectly neat list found in an old notebook. After two difficult and life-changing years in one profession, I had quit my job to return home to…? What, I wasn’t sure, but I knew the job wasn’t for me. I had no idea what to do next (still don’t), and felt about as useful as a sock in summer. So, I did what I normally do in life-changing situations: cleaned and purged. I’ll get rid of everything! All this stuff is weighing me down! It’ll be a new start! I’ll know exactly what I want to do when I’m done!
…Yea, it didn’t work out exactly like that. I felt “lighter” but not “grounded” with a purpose.
During that time, I found two things I hadn’t realized I misplaced: a notebook half full of quotes I’d written down and a list of things I’d wanted to accomplish within 5 years. I’m an avid list-maker and can be pretty type A, so at first glance it wasn’t the list itself that gave me pause, but rather that hardly ANY of the things on the list were accomplished, even though I’m now two years past my original deadline. It was at this point that the cliche quotes started running through my mind:
You must do the thing you think you cannot do. -Eleanor Roosevelt
If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word. -Margaret Atwood
Be direct, usually one can accomplish more that way. -Fortune Cookie
Really, it was the fortune cookie one that got me the most. I’m ashamed to admit I collect fortunes from cookies.
While some of the items on the list were a little outdated and impractical, most of the things I still want to do. So what was stopping me?
Me.
After weeks of thinking it through, I decided to go ahead and do it. All the things on the (revised) list. I have one year, and I’ll be documenting the progress here.
Check back for updates.
-M
The Unfinished List 