22 in 22

Every year, one of my favorite thought leaders and authors, Gretchen Rubin, creates a bucket list to coincide with the year - 19 in 2019, 20 in 2020, etc. (You can listen to her and her sister’s current lists here.)

I have often tried and failed at this exercise, but I realized that I previously bit off more than I could chew or chose items that were less of a priority than I thought they were.

This year I decided to give my list a theme, and try something new - literally - with a list of “22 New in 2022.”

In order to hedge my bets, this list is set up to win. There are things that I need to do anyway and activities that I habitually do a variation of within a given calendar year. Instead of leaning into specificity - normally a great thing for goal setting - I purposely kept things vague in order to allow space for spontaneity, serendipity, and flexibility. With the exception of number 22, which is somewhat pandemic-dependent, all of these actions are within my control. Also, this list is for fun! If I don’t complete all of these things, it’s not a huge deal.

Here is my list of “22 New in 2022:”

Get settled into my new home - This is also one of my broad, yearly goals. We’re renovating a family condo, and plans are to begin moving my things in by the end of the month. I have no idea how long I’ll be there - whether I decide to stay in Pittsburgh or ultimately move back to New York or to another city, but I want to feel settled. I never truly felt settled in my NY apartment because there was always this feeling of impermanence hanging over me. So this year I want to feel fully settled, regardless of how long I ultimately decide to stay.
Go horseback-riding anew - I say “anew” because I did go riding several times as a child, but it has been decades. There is a horse ranch on our street, and I always say I want to go and never do. This year I am making it happen!
Add a new role to my team - Hiring support is one of the best things I’ve done for my business. Social media is something I’ve struggled to build consistency with and set aside ample time for, so I’m pretty sure that will be my next hire when funds allow.
Find a new artistic collaborator - I don’t yet know too many artists in Pittsburgh, so I’m excited to meet people and find at least one new person whom I truly gel with and can collaborate with on projects.
Explore a new-to-me area of Pittsburgh - I’m a South Hills baby through and through. Despite all my years growing up in the city, there are so many neighborhoods I don’t know. I’m excited to explore!
Join a new group or organization for fun (a gym, studio, book-club, meet-up group, museum, etc.) - After this Omicron wave moves past us, I’ll be ready to get out, meet new people and plant some roots in the community.
Make my car feel like new - I had had my car since high school, and was finally convinced to sell it last summer. My family did some musical cars, and my mom gave me her old car. It will never feel completely like new - it’s pretty old, but I’d like to get it detailed and make it my own.
Take a new class - I love learning and usually take a few classes per year related to my craft. In addition to my favorite classes, I’d like to try something new - perhaps work with a new teacher or learn about a brand new topic.
Get a new certification - There is one certification I’m close to getting. I took the classes last year and then wasn’t able to prepare for the exam due to all of our family medical drama. I’d like to take that and potentially add another one or two other certifications that are on my list.
Buy and complete a new puzzle - I cannot remember the last time I did a puzzle. This is definitely more of a wintertime activity, so I should probably choose one soon. I’m not sure if I’ll really have the patience for it, but I always wanted to be one of those people who puzzles, so I might as well try it.
Try a new craft - I used to LOVE painting ceramics as a child. I fact, some of my Christmas decorations are things I painted growing up. This year I’d love to try Diamond Art or embroidery or knitting or jewelry making...maybe several things. It would be great to make something with my hands.
Eat at a new-to-me trendy restaurant - The pandemic has really squashed my desire to eat out, but I would like to try trendy restaurant in Pittsburgh. We rarely eat out here and, when we do, it’s always at the same handful of restaurants. This also likely means traveling to a new neighborhood, which will be a fun little adventure.
Buy new tennis shoes - I’ve needed sneakers for a while and keep putting it off. I need to prioritize finding ones I like because mine are pretty shot. Bonus item: I also need new glasses - I’ve been putting that off, too!
Got to a new-to-me art museum in Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh has incredible museums, and there are a few that I somehow still have not made it, too. Let’s remedy that this year.
Go to a new-to-me theater in Pittsburgh - There are a lot of smaller companies whose work I have never seen. I want to expand my horizons beyond the large theaters I attend on the regular.
Donate to a new charity - This will probably happen automatically, but I want to get more intentional with my giving this year and also learn about new organizations to potentially support.
Invest time in a new charity project - I’ve been feeling the itch to take on a large-scale project - to get deeply involved with an organization or produce a benefit event. The last big charity event I worked on was Roots of Steel in 2019. It’s time.
Make a new close friend - Most of my closest friends are out of state. Zoom, texts and phone chats have been a lifesaver, but I’m also looking forward to making new, close friendships in the city. Each phase of my life has brought at least one new, best friend, and I’m excited to see who this chapter brings into my days!
Make a new fancy recipe - With the exception of scrambled eggs, cooking and baking aren’t really my thing. I do enjoy, however, setting aside a day every once in a while to make something really special. We make baklava at Christmas, and I’ve been making onion soup once a winter. It takes ALL day, but is absolutely worth it. I’m really excited to cook more in my new kitchen, and I’d love to pick out an elaborate (for me), special new recipe to try.
Book a new venue for my shows - I have a few venues in mind that I want to reach out to. It’s great to return to places, and it’s also wonderful to play in new spaces. Now that live art is back, I’m ready to sing!
Travel to a new place in the U.S. - I’m ready to travel anywhere and certainly wouldn’t squawk at returning to some of my favorite places, but I would especially love to check off a new state or one of the many cities and destinations on my U.S. bucket list.
Travel to a new place in Europe - I’m praying so hard for this one, trying to both hold the faith and keep my expectations in check. Our London trip was canceled in April 2020 and my friend and I have been waiting for a safe time to go. I also want to go to Italy (I’ve never been) and visit Bordeaux (where our dear friends live.) It would be amazing for all three of these to happen this year. My soul needs at least one of them!