Hello again ladies and gents,

Welcome back! So this is where the fun stuff begins ::rubs hands together:: I got a little heavy (at least for me) in the last post talking about my weight loss struggles (you can read more on that here). Now it’s time to talk about something that is a little less dark, but just as introspective.

I’ve spent a lot of my life following “the path”. At age 25 I have an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree- in both English and information technology, and a master’s in business administration. I know, I know it’s definitely a lot. But all of that education has cost me one valuable thing: my time- well, besides an unimaginable amount of debt.

I have been so focused on school and working my butt off at at least 2 jobs (and pushing a side project/hustle), that somewhere down the line I stopped living. I’ve woken up to either go to school or clock in at someone’s job every day for the past few years. I stopped taking time to just relax, or spend time with loved ones. All of my friends call me the hardest working person they know, and yet they all have stopped calling me to spend time. But honestly, I can’t blame them. How many times will you allow a person to say no to you, or give you an excuse as to why they can’t go out, before you stop trying?

Well today is my birthday. That’s right, I am officially the big 2-6. I am over the hump, closer to 30 ::shivers:: and I realize that some of my greatest years have passed me by. When it comes to dating, traveling, celebrating, and just life in general, I am behind the times.

I tried to come up with a plan to get me out of this rut and force me to start living. I realized that I’d have to get out of my comfort zone, and what better what to do that than a bucket list. That’s right, I’ve created 26 different experiences that I would like to accomplish before the clock strikes 12 am on May 8, 2016. These are all things that I’ve been either too busy to do, too scared to do, or too focused on what the next person might think. It’s going to be an uncomfortable journey, but discomfort equates to growth in my opinion (and I’m all for growing).

Here’s where you come in. I’m telling you because I trust you; I trust you enough to hold me accountable. As I complete each task on my bucket list, I’ll come back and tell you guys allll about it. So please, if you see me slipping, call me out on it.

Enough of the talking, here we go…

A Year of Discomfort

1. Sky dive
2. Go to an alternative lifestyle party
3. Sit in on a studio session
4. Go to a bar alone
5. Go skinny dipping under the moon
6. Post a before and after picture on social media
7. Go snorkeling/scuba diving
8. Publish an eBook
9. Attend a murder mystery dinner
10. Have a boudoir photo shoot
11. Get a complete makeover
12. Find a spiritual community/home
13. Go for a cosmetic surgery consultation
14. Feel confident in a bikini
15. Send a nude photo
16. Ask a guy on a date
17. Be fearless for one day
18. Complete a 5k/obstacle course
19. Give someone a lap dance
20. Go on a road trip
21. Go to a music festival
22. Ride a mechanical bull
23. Go to a full moon drum circle
24. Learn to speak Spanish
25. Create my online brand
26. Document this journey online

My 26th year, a year of discomfort, begins now…