My book club just read The Next Thing on My List, by Jill Smolinski. The book is in the chick lit/beach book genre. (It’s a quick read!) The plot is predictable, but the premise of the book was so interesting that I recommended the book to the book club.
The premise – two women meet at a Weight Watchers meeting. The protagonist offers the younger woman (whom she’s just met) a ride home. While they’re on their way, they get into a car accident and the younger woman dies. In talking to the family after the funeral, the protagonist discovers that the younger woman had made a list of things she wanted to do before she turned 25. The protagonist feels so guilty (even though the accident wasn’t really her fault), that she decides to complete the list.
The thing I liked the most about the book was that it had the idea of making something that I call a “life list.” A list of things you want to do before you turn ___ age, or before you die.
Ever the English teacher, I asked everyone in the book club to come to the group with their own life list. To be honest with you, I knew that the life lists were going to be a lot more interesting than the plot of the book was.
So, I thought I’d share the items on my own life list with you. I chose each item really carefully, and found that I had to do a lot of self-reflection before I was able to make a list that I felt was not only realistic, but also worthwhile. Some of the things are fun and frivolous, while others are truly challenging.
Things to do before I turn 40:
1. Lose 100 lbs.
2. After weight loss, go on a shopping spree at Anthropologie and Ann Taylor Loft, knowing the clothes will look great!
3. Sky dive.
4. Own a convertible.
5. Find balance in my life. (I’m so bad with the work/personal life balance).
6. Make spirituality a part of my everyday life.
7. Try yoga.
8. Start meditating.
9. Get a Brazilian bikini wax.
10. Go to the beach in a bathing suit and feel proud of how I look.
11. Go to NYC.
12. Go to Boston/Connecticut (CTLB’s wedding in August ’08).
13. Run a 5K. (Maybe even a 10K).
14. Meet “The One” aka “Mr. Right” and be engaged, or close to it.
15. Own a home (condo/townhouse), even if I’m still single.
16. Go on an exotic vacation to Bali or Morocco.
17. Learn to speak Italian.
18. Get some of my writing published.
19. Use my masters in educational leadership, either in school administration at my school or on the district level working with the new teacher program.
20. Adopt a dog.
I’ve given myself 4 years to complete this list, and I vow that I will finish it. I’m sure I’ll write about each goal as I accomplish it. I can’t wait to get started!
What would be on your life list?
Bella, when you do #11 we have to get together!
The Life List is a great idea and I will be thinking about mine while I’m in Mexico next week.
Joy – I wouldn’t come to NYC without visiting you! I know Mexico is going to be beautiful and relaxing. What a perfect place to make the Life List!
Promise me that even though losing weight is first on your list you won’t wait to do everything else until you accomplish it. Life is way too short to put things off because you’re not the weight you’d like to be.
Lulu – I definitely won’t wait. Some of the things go along with the weight loss, but many of them can be done irrespective of it. Life is too short and I want to live it to the fullest.
A Brazilian is something everyone woman should do once, it makes you feel incredibly sexy! But just make sure your brace yourself for the pain …
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