2020 Ta-Da List

I kept a running list starting this summer.  Gretchen Rubin coined the phrase "ta-da" list.  All things that came about this year because of the pandemic.  Things I wouldn't have done now or done with such vigor or done ever.  Things that came out of questions, searching for something better, trying to hang onto to sanity, trying new things, being curious, experimenting with "what do I want to do."  

In no particular order ...

Plant based cooking 

Trying new plant ingredients (lentils, chickpeas, tofu, jackfruit) 

Connecting with college roommate again

Puzzles

Reading endurance 

Peloton

Long walks in nature

Hoka shoes to heal my heel

Monti (!!)

Explored being alone and who I am by myself

New office

Make paper flowers for party decor (from childhood memory)

Regular fresh flowers

House plants (15)

Doing my own nails (with tools and new colors)

Cleaning my own house (finding a way that works with my back)

Letting go of relationships that don't serve me or my values (holding boundaries)

Joined Jen Hatmaker bookclub

Joined Atlanta Jen Hatmaker bookclub chapter

Deep dive into the Enneagram

No drinking stretch

Home date nights

Continued life coaching (was set to stop in 2020)

Solo hike (no one to hike with so actually happened despite fear)

Will and trust papers (became a priority)

#BLM being a better person and speaking UP

Focus on TRUE desires, not filling up my day with FALSE desires

Cluster ring for 50th birthday 

Sunshade on porch (made this a priority)

Secure fence for dogs

Vintage cake baking

Vintage cake plates

Deeper problem solving (looking at more than the "usual" options)

Vintage books (e.g Boys Life, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)

Cold showers

"Gummy" bears

Homemade pickles

Cooking with puff pastry

SeedLip Mock-tails

Latch-hook

Homemade turkey stock and soup

Changed up holiday traditions

Suduko

Slowing down -- one thing at a time and not rushing so much

Longer meditation (better meditation)

Tarot cards for at home

Joined Gibbs Gardens for nature walks

New love of documentaries

Found a new perfume

Found a better mop (see "my back and cleaning" hah)

Minky Couture blankets (tried because in-store shopping wasn't an option for a baby gift)

Zoom call connection with my high school friends

I'm sure there's more, but this is the list I kept.  I can't say 2020 was a bust by any standard.  Lots of interesting, unexpected goodness came from a forced slow down.  I know we were also fortunate and that allowed an in-home "adventure." 

I encourage everyone to look back and find some good -- it helps find light in a dark time in our history. 

Next up ... 5 things that packed the biggest punch in feeling better.