So the most asked question, “How did you write your list? And how did you come up with over 1300 things?”

Well different people decide to write their life list for different reasons. Mine was sparked by fear and hope. Fear of dying as a 30 year old mom of 3 children. And hope that I would live to cherish my family and friends and accomplish those very said goals and dreams on my life list.

Whatever your reason, I would like to help you write a life list, a wish list, a bucket list, a dreaming big list. You choose what you want to call it – it yours.

I want to warn you that writing a list can evoke strong emotions within people. I have received emails with these comments from people,

“I’m actually scared for that big dream to come true.”

“I have a very boring life. I don’t think I am meant for an exciting adventure.”

“I’ve been a terrible person. I don’t think I am worthy of great things.”

“I’m pretty skeptical about asking for grandiose things to happen. Why am I so special?”

“There’s no way any of these things can come true. It’s just a dream waiting to disappoint me. I can’t take any other disappointments in my life. It’s easier to just not have any dreams.”

Let me address these quickly. We all come to the table with baggage. Some of us have been deeply wounded by others. Some of us have deeply wounded others. And most of us have been involved in both situations. No matter where you are coming from, I am here today to tell you that you are enough. You are worthy of great things. You are worthy of your dreams coming true. I believe this with every cell in my body.

Life is tough enough.  You need to be your biggest cheerleader. You are the person who knows your deepest wishes and unsaid dreams. No one will fight harder than you for those to come to reality. So turn that inner critic voice off and allow yourself to dream like you never have before. I call my inner critic voice Jane. Now that I have named her, I recognize her when she appears, and I audibly tell her to go away. She is starting to flee pretty quickly now – that is powerful.

Before writing my actual life list, I made a list of 3 things to help me in my framework. I wrote a list of my values, my excitables, and my inspirations. I was able to write over 700 things based upon my initial 3 lists within 24 hours. Now remember, I was facing death. I was sick. I was truly not afraid of dying but I was terrified of not living. There were {are} plenty of life experiences I felt I had left to live.

Values List

These are the things that really matter to you. Simply, these are your beliefs and ideals that you hold as special. Write down 5 to 15 things that you value. Ask others how they see you. Look at people you admire and ask yourself what values they have that make them so admirable and worthy of your adoration and respect.

I wrote about my values several months ago here.

My values:

Promoting health

Fostering loving and healthy relationships with family & friends

Building character

Emphasizing faith

Modeling a heart of service and giving

Demonstrating a strong work ethic

Having a spirit of adventure

Showing a willingness to learn and make mistakes

Recording my family’s stories

Prioritizing homemaking/organization

Creativity

Living intentionally

Being authentic

Excitables List

These are the things that make you feel centered, grounded, yet alive. These are the simple acts that often bring out the best in yourself, serve to spark an active imagination, or put yourself in a healthy, energetic mindset to dream big.

My excitables:

Getting on the floor with Sam to play

Being outside

Being near or in the water

Swinging

Giving gifts or a random act of kindness

Laughing with Jeff

Playing music and dancing in our family room

Making something with my hands

Taking pictures

Taking a bath

Going on a trip or day adventure

Organizing or cleaning my home

Reading a good book or seeing a concert

Making a list

Putting my fears away in a fear jar

Family dinners and dates

Inspiration List 

What serves to inspire you? There are things all around you that help to influence you or inspire you everyday. These include people, events, blogs, magazines, music, concerts, life experiences, photography, etc. Take the week and add to this list as you go.

Some of my current inspirations:

Ali Edward’s Weekly Creative List Newsletter

Pinterest  {especially travel and adventure pins}

The Family Dinner: Great Ways to Connect with Your Kids, One Meal at a Time

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life {rereading for 5th time}

University of Cookie Videos {watching these as I’m learning how to decorate cookies}

Marta Writes blog

This post by I Am Juju

Taking photos with my Fujifilm Instax MINI 7s White Instant Film Camera

National Geographic Travel Magazines

Old family pictures

Magazine section at my grocery store

Design Mom blog {I so want to live in Europe}

Tracks in Wax {local vintage record shop}

The amazing inspiration of #projectlife in twitter land

Cultivating life quotes from Becky Higgins via her facebook page

Clean color by Erin Cobb {love her blog and her photo editing program that I’m learning}

Fast Company Magazine {love the innovation process}

Elise Blaha blog {love how she is intentional about completing projects}

Now obviously my lists were somewhat different 7 years ago, but most of my values and excitables remain the same. Inspirations come and go, but my interests in inspirations reflecting creativity, innovation, adventure, learning, travel, and family are still the same.

Now it’s your turn to work on these 3 lists. I have included a worksheet for you to use. I believe this exercise of identifying what you value, what excites you, and what inspires you will help you to complete a life list that will best reflect you.

Download the Life List Worksheet #1 here

Remember that this is not my list. This is not the list your parents, friends, children, or spouse want for you. This is YOUR list that you richly deserve. Remember you are worthy.

This is Part I of a series that will continue every Monday for the next month.

Blessings sweet friends – Jenny