You might recall that toward the end of 2015 I shared my 2016 Word of the Year – Progress – and followed up at the start of January with an explanation of a project I’d conceived to help me put the word into action in the new year. My introduction to The 50 by 50 Project was as follows:
The 50 by 50 Project is a list of 50 things I want to accomplish in the coming year: things I need to do, things I want to do, things I keep saying I’m going to do but never quite get around to it, things that will make me a better person, things that will get me out of the house more, things that will help me get my house in order.
Some of the things on my list are big, ongoing, and challenging while others are short, sweet, and easily accomplished. Some are serious, others are frivolous. Some are tedious, others are a delight. All are realistic, doable, and life-enhancing.
The intent of the project isn’t to somehow attain perfection by the age of 50 (if that were even possible!); rather, as Peter suggested when I explained the project to him, to hit the ground running when I reach that milestone, happy and healthy and ready for a vibrant, fulfilling life to come.
I wrapped up the post by committing to write a monthly “Progress Report” (usually toward the end of each month) with updates on how my 50 by 50 Project is progressing.
Well, we’re now pretty much done with January (if you can believe it!), so this is me following up and checking in.
The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
(Comments for January 2016 are in blue)
Ongoing (until complete!)
- Lose 50 pounds.
- 7.1 lbs lost as of 2016-01-25.
- Read 50 books for the 2016 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge.
- 5 books finished, 3 currently on the go.
- Within my 50 books read, include one from each of the 24 categories in the Read Harder Challenge 2016.
- 5 books finished, 2 currently on the go.
- Read and complete the exercises in Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (book and workbook).
- Create art for a colouring book.
- Purchase 12 (i.e., one per month) items from friends with online shops.
- Purchased Hand-drawn: Pysanky-inspired Coloring from Amy Romanczuk Art.
- Promote 12 (i.e., one per month) friends’ online shops on social media.
- Promoted Hand-drawn: Pysanky-inspired Coloring and Amy Romanczuk Art.
- Learn to play “Morning Has Broken” on the piano.
- Purchased sheet music for piano (which includes guitar chords as I’m hoping Peter will join me!).
Anytime projects
- Make a video of me playing “Morning Has Broken” and upload the video to YouTube.
- Buy and set up a bookshelf in my arts & crafts room.
- Purchased a bookshelf and am hoping to assemble it and get the room organized this weekend.
- Display my art for sale in a public place.
- Organize my internet bookmarks.
- Organize my Flickr albums.
- Reorganize my iTunes music library.
- Make a new $25 contribution to Kiva.
- Sort through clothing; organize/repair/discard/donate as necessary.
- Sort through shoes; organize/repair/discard/donate as necessary.
- Sort through bags and purses; organize/repair/discard/donate as necessary.
- Sort through accessories (scarves, gloves, etc.); organize/repair/discard/donate as necessary.
- Started – winter stuff only so far.
- Sort through jewellery; organize/repair/discard/donate as necessary.
January/February
- Renew my passport.
- Planning to get the ball rolling by having passport photos taken this coming Monday.
- Make a new will.
- Purchased a package and set up an account on Canadian Legal Wills, but haven’t yet completed any of the forms.
Make a financial contribution to the Syrian Refugee Crisis.- Done! We chose to split our donation between Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County (local) and Canadian Council for Refugees (federal).
- Set up a WEVolunteer profile and find a way to give back to my community.
- Learn to draw ZenGems.
- Instructions and supplies have been assembled in preparation for learning.
- Visit the Art Gallery of Windsor.
- Host a craft/project night for friends at my house.
- Scheduled for February.
Spring
- Work with Peter to plan and set up a vegetable garden.
- Spend an afternoon taking photos of spring blossoms.
- Visit Ojibway Nature Centre and Ojibway Park.
- Take a walk in Jackson Park.
- Host a games night for friends at my house.
Summer
- Complete the training to become a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT).
- Have a logo designed.
- Have new business cards designed and printed.
- Create and launch a personal web site.
- Go to the beach and walk barefoot in the sand.
- Visit Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site in Dresden.
- Visit Kingsville.
- Host a backyard barbecue for friends.
Fall
- Publish a colouring book.
- Teach a Zentangle class.
- Create a new design for a Christmas/holiday card.
- Spend an afternoon taking photos of fall foliage.
- Blog daily with NaBloPoMo (November).
Winter
- Send/give Christmas cards to family and friends.
- Find a cat-proof (or at least cat-resistant!) way to decorate the house for the holidays.
- Host a Christmas cookie decorating party for friends at my house.
- Spend an evening touring the city to look at Christmas lights.
- Gather with friends to celebrate New Year’s Eve and my 50th birthday.
Whew!
Thank you so much for reading, and I do hope you’ll return and follow along with my Progress – to keep me accountable, to offer support and encouragement, and to be inspired!
Are you with me?
Please share!

Wow! I think you’re making great strides Laurel! Kudos to you and you can count on me jumping up n’ down over here in my corner of Idaho, shakin’ my pom poms and cheering you on!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 31, 2016
Thank you so much for your support – I really appreciate it! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Twitter: RamblinGarden
January 30, 2016
I’m cheering you on, Laurel. A good start indeed. Especially #1!
Alana recently posted… Local Saturday – Goodbye to An Average Superwoman
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 31, 2016
Thank you so much, Alana!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
This must fill you with satisfaction! Don’t quit and don’t turn your back on new challenges as they seem to rise in important.
When I was teaching, I found that the goal were not something I could envision ahead of time. They took on a life of their own and were truly worth my time.
Be well.
Barbara Torris recently posted… Did Your Charmed Childhood Include a Trip to the Dump?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 31, 2016
It is very satisfying indeed, and a great motivation to keep going! Thank you for the encouragement. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Twitter: BrowningPeggy
January 30, 2016
Laurel, on my 50th birthday I made a list like this. And I did everything on the list. Now I am 60…and I still do it. Now each year on my birthday, I make a list of what I want to do by my next birthday. Some are big things. Some are small. Good luck with your list. It is a good way to cull out some things that you thought you wanted to do, but didn’t really care that much about. I found it cleared my mind and my heart…and I found that the items on the list were accomplished through serendipitous occurrences.
Best wishes. 🙂
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 31, 2016
What a great idea, Peggy! If this one goes well, I might just do it again next year – perhaps not QUITE so ambitious, but a list nonetheless. Thank you for the encouragement!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Good job on January. You’re an inspiration! Keep up the good work.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 31, 2016
Thank you, Gwen!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
This is so inspirational. I’m going to start on my list. I like how you’ve broken them down as well.
Jovanhanna Kristina recently posted… Understanding How to Set Goals
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 31, 2016
Thank you! I think breaking them down this way makes the whole thing feel a lot more manageable.
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Wow! What a great idea and what a GREAT list! You are making tremendous progress. You have inspired me to create my own 50 by 50 list. I will be turning 50 next February and would love to do something like this to celebrate a half century of life. Thank you so much for sharing. I will be rooting you on! Visiting from UBC
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 31, 2016
Thank you so much, Stacey, and all the best with your list!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Wow! That is one organized list. Hope you get to do all of that. Interesting idea too BTW.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 31, 2016
Thank you, Rachna!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Twitter: suzyq1810
January 30, 2016
You’ve achieved a lot Laurel. Good job. You are so talented. And wow an arts and crafts room – I wish I had one but I’d have to build an extension to my house.
Suzy recently posted… Chaos
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 31, 2016
Thank you so much, Suzy! My arts and crafts room is very small (VERY!), and it doubles as a guest bedroom, but it’s awfully nice to have a place to keep all my supplies.
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Excellent report, Laurel. I will be with you.
Vasantha Vivek recently posted… Word Of The Year 2016
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 31, 2016
Thank you, Vasantha!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Twitter: BoisterousGeets
January 31, 2016
My goodness! That’s quite a list Laurel and it feels wonderful to see the urge with which you set your goals.. You’re an inspiration to many!
Cheers
Gee recently posted… Gratitude Post January
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 31, 2016
Thank you, Gee!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
This was lovely to read <3 hope you fulfill all 50 🙂 and share your weight loss tips please 😉
kavipriya recently posted… Being the Mashed Potatoes
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 31, 2016
Thank you so much! I’ll have to write a post about my weight loss tips, as a reminder to myself of what works when I fall off the wagon!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Twitter: vinithadileep
January 31, 2016
Fantastic list, Laurel. You are an awesome inspiration! 🙂
Vinitha recently posted… Gratitude Joy!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 31, 2016
Thank you, Vinitha!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Excellent progress so far, Laurel. You’ve had a busy January! I got a bit waylaid in my goals by a bad cold that doesn’t want to go away, but hope to start again in February.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 4, 2016
Thanks, Elaine! Hope you’re feeling better ASAP.
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Wow. Great progress on your projects. Hope you nail them all. I actually have a similar one for my music career.
Brian Martin recently posted… Pro Speed Picking
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 4, 2016
Thank you, and good luck to you!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
I really need to make a will… Good luck with your deluxe bucket list.
Myke Todd recently posted… Passion Pit
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 4, 2016
Thanks, Myke!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
I would love to hear you play 🙂 50 books!! wow I wish I could challenge myself like that. I can be so lazy at times.
Wish you good luck to meet all your 50/50 🙂
Rajlakshmi recently posted… Of Mom & Distressed Jeans !!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 4, 2016
Thank you so much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Twitter: 1951
February 1, 2016
I admire your focus and your commitment; your accomplishments so far speak volumes. I think writing them down is a big part of both focus and commitment. You go, girl!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 4, 2016
Thank you, Carol!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Twitter: parul2411
February 1, 2016
Wow! you are making good progress.Keep it up! Of course, I will be around cheering you and watching you finish 50 by 50 🙂
Parul Thakur recently posted… #MondayMusings – Of Marriages, Rituals and Customs
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 4, 2016
Thank you, Parul – much appreciated!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Twitter: mumbaionahigh
February 1, 2016
Not bad! Particularly the weight loss. That’s always a tough one to hang on to. Hope you get through your 50 by the end of the year.
bellybytes recently posted… Looking Upwards#Monday Musings
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 4, 2016
Thank you – me too!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
Twitter: ravyne
February 4, 2016
Wow! You’ve already accomplished quite a bit. I look forward to more of your updates. You are an inspiration! ~Lori~
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 4, 2016
Thank you so much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project: Progress Report #1
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