The NickelWorks Does 24 in '24

Trying out Gretchen Rubin's strategy for developing good habits and increasing happiness!

It’s been a minute since I posted here, and with the beginning of the New(ish) Year, I’m recommitting to this little project of mine.

This is no idle promise! This time I’ve got a plan. As a casual listener to Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness podcast, I’ve heard her talk about her annual list of things, large and small, to accomplish over the year. 22 in ´22, 23 in ´23, I think you see where this is going. Along with this list of items that you want to pursue, you can choose a theme word to help define your year, and opt to take part in an annual challenge she sets each year.

A list of 24 things in 2024 that will hopefully lead to better habits, new experiences and more happiness all around.

So this year, I’m doing it. 24 things in 2024 that will hopefully lead to better habits, joyful experiences and more happiness all around.

I spent a good chunk of December mulling this over. After a big birthday last fall, this has definitely been a moment where I've considered where I am now and what I might like my life to look like in this next stage. As I put together my list of 24 pursuits for the new year, I noticed that two themes emerged. The first was a desire to lean into my passions: art, design, good writing, cultural experiences. The other was more aspirational, the desire to simply be more as a parent, professionally, and around adulting.

So my one word theme for 2024 is (insert drum roll here!) "Becoming." This word particularly resonated in that it has meanings that can apply to how my list was made up of things having to do with both beauty and evolution. So without further ado, here's the list:

The NickelWords 24 in '24

1. Finish one book per month.

2. Attend six cultural events that aren't Hollywood films.

3. Edit clothing, get rid of anything too old, or that doesn't suit me, and carefully replace with quality items.

4. Get a manicure and pedicure six times.

5. Reorganize my wardrobe and drawers for easier access to everything.

6. Buy shoes (new slip on trainers, black heels, and red heels).

7. Work with a personal trainer.

8. Do 2-4 strength training workouts per week.

9. Try the Mediterranean diet for one month.

10. Attend a course at the Alliance Français.

11. Take a sewing class.

12. Read the knitting book that I already have and try a pattern.

13. Go roller skating at Buns.

14. Have a monthly meet up (lunch, dinner, etc) with different friends.

15. Go on six hikes.

16. Blog twelve times.

17. Revise and update website to include freelance work.

18. Connect with the other NGO leaders.

19. Learn more about financial planning.

20. Rufus (dog) admin.

21. Finish the Spirit Dog training course.

22. Read to/with each child 3x per week.

23. Make sure we have enough insurance.

24. TBD

This post here is courtesy of item number 16. I've already made some progress on several of these items and so far so good! What are your self-improvement goals in 2024?