Today marks the end of the 26th week after my birthday in August.  On the calendar I’m 1/2 way through the 52 project. On paper, not so much.

Here are the stats: Out of the 43 goals on my list, I’ve only completed 5. While that may seem like a small amount, it doesn’t damper my spirit.  I have to see the whole picture.  The most important fact is that at least 12 of these things will take the whole year to complete.  For instance, walking 52 miles a month can’t be completed until the last month.  Another 7 are over 50% complete. 11 others will take less than a day to accomplish once I start them. So, all in all, I’m in good shape. What’s more worrisome is that I still have 9 goals to come up with.  Suggestions please! I need inspiration

The seven I have completed?  I can already say that this project has lasting effects.

#16: Let 52 people out in traffic. Completed November 5th.  I commute at least 30 minutes each way to work.  Going in is good, coming home is a trial.  By taking a few extra seconds to let someone out in traffic, actually looking for the opportunity to do so, made my blood pressure go down and helped me relax at a time when I would normally get super stressed.  Not only does it make me feel good, it’s a boost to get the smile and wave from the person you let out into traffic.  When the kids in the back seat, turn and wave at you, it’s a bonus!

#18: Reading 52 Newspapers, completed November 25th, 2015.  I used to feel I could pass the Jeopardy test, could hold my own in a discussion of World issues. After a couple years of grief and emotional turmoil, I was feeling out of the loop with current events. This goal got me back into the groove and I’m still reading (okay, skimming) a couple of papers every day.  I also find myself seeking out NPR and news on other media.  It helps that we have the most fascinating election in modern history in front of us!

#22: Eating 5 servings of fruits and veggies in a day for 52 days.  Completed January 29, 2016.  Already wrote about this – still meeting or surpassing the 5 servings on most days.

#24: Clean up 52 contacts on my phone.  Completed on January 24th, 2016.  I did not need the phone number for the guy I met on Match.com in 2007.  Seriously, what was up with that?

#26: Plant 52 daffodil bulbs. Completed October 24th, 2015.  My favorite so far!  I planted bulbs at the edges of my new garden out back.  In two short months, I should be rewarded with a display of daffodils blooming to welcome Spring.  Better yet, this gift should spread with each year as the daffodils should naturalize through the woods and garden.

I can say that I am more mindful of how I choose to spend my time since starting this project.  I am more centered and am spending more time on the things that matter to me. While the list may seem too long to some, it seems just right to me.  Every day I can find success somewhere on the list. The five minutes I sit and pet my cat in the morning?  That counts.  And because things like reading a book and pampering my feet are on the list, I’m more apt to allow myself these luxuries.  When I compare my satisfaction with my life in August of last year to my satisfaction today, I can definitely say this project is a success.

I realized I should post the full list of the 52 goals I am trying to achieve. So, here it is, in all it’s glory.  Long winded, as I tend to be.  Quirky like me as well. Criteria for being on the list was one of the following: had to improve the quality of my life, be something that brings me joy, something that I’ve been putting off, and it had to be positive.

1. Read 52 books. The item that inspired this project. No other explanation needed.
2. Empty 52 boxes. There are two rooms in my basement filled with boxes.  Books, toys, and memories.  Time to clean out and organize.  T
3. Walk 52 miles per month.
4.  Write 52 cards or letters.  Real hand-written letters or carefully chosen cards.  Nothing beats getting snail mail from a friend.
5. Hang pictures and create scrapbook pages for a total of 52 pictures and pages. Lots of wonderful memories to capture – family pictures on the wall or in a scrapbook.
6. Take the bus to work 52 times.  Not only could I reduce my carbon footprint, I could also gain a half hour each way to read or surf the web.
7. Play 52 rounds of games with family and friends.  I love a good board game.  No, Words with Friends does not count!
8. Brew 52 pots of tea. Time to pull out those wonderful mugs, teapots, and enjoy a warm cup of tea. (plus it’s better for me than wine. )
9. Bake 52 dozen cookies.  Or brownies.  Or quick breads.  And share them with friends and family.  Baking = Joy
10. Feed 52 people around my table. We’ve discussed this already!
11. Write a list of 52 things I am thankful for.  Have an attitude of gratitude.
12. Spend 52 minutes in prayer each week month.  Yeah, not that easy.
13. Donate 52 items: What to do with the items from #2?  Give them a second life.
14. Print out 104 emails. 52 x 2 = 104.  Scott and I exchanged over 800 emails during the  months prior to our marriage. I started a book with hard copies of our email exchange as my gift to him on our first anniversary.  Time to finish it.
15. Private financial goal – A girl’s allowed to have some secrets. 😉
16. Let 52 people out in traffic out in traffic. A simple act that takes the stress out of commuting.
17. Write 52 blog/journal entries. Writing was a joy and therapy when I was a teenager.
18. Read 52 newspapers. (Not 52 different newspapers, silly!) I’ve fallen behind in keeping up on current events.  I was feeling ignorant going into the election cycle.
19. Pamper my feet 52 times.
20. Pay it forward 52 times.
21. Floss 52 times.  (Flossing adds YEARS to your life!)
22. Eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies per day, 52 times.
23. Unsubscribe to 52 email lists.
24. Delete 52 contacts on my phone. The pediatrician was still listed even though the kids haven’t gone there in years.
25. Delete 52 email contacts from gmail.  Still had the email for a woman who I did a project with in grad school a decade ago!
26. Plant 52 daffodil bulbs. (Finished this one first – in October!)
27. Bellydance for at least 1/2 hour, 52 times.
28. Work with arm weights, 15 minutes at a time, 52 times.
29. Donate 52 times to the missions supported by St. Pauls UMC.
30. Mail 52 Christmas cards. (Although now they are New Year’s cards!)
31. Give myself 52 manicures.
32. Spend 52 hours outside.
33. Try 52 new recipes.
34. “Go out” 52 times. With friends or on my own, to dinner, to classes, other activities.
35. Go through my 10 minute stretching routine on 52 mornings.
36. Stop for at least a 15 minute lunch break 52 times.
37. Spend 52 minutes a week actively playing or petting my cats for 26 weeks.
38. During my ‘free time’ go for 52 hours without touching my cellphone.
39. Make a timeline of my life with 52 separate entries.
40. Delete 5200 emails from my gmail account. (please don’t judge me!)
41. Get 8 hours of sleep on 52 nights.
42. Watch/Listen to 52 TedTalks.
43. Find out one new fact about 52 different people.
44. – 52. Still in development.  Suggestions, anyone?