April 14, 2015

THE CIRCLE APRIL 2015: REVERSE BUCKET LISTS.

reversebucketlist
Happy April, friends! It's time for another round of The Circle (I feel like a gameshow host saying that) and I cannot wait to dive into your posts this month.

But before I share mine, I have to introduce you to this month's co-host. This girl is genuine, a snail mail pal, and a friend with so many darn talents (see her photography business and Etsy shop for proof!). Plus, we have tons in common, so there's that, too. Anyway, I'll let her introduce herself so you can head over to her blog!
Hi!! I'm Aubrey, and you probably wouldn't know by looking at me, but I can run really fast!...OK no I can't that's a line from Seinfeld...But I can type really fast! I love pajamas and I want to hug ALL the animals! I blog over at The Found Life where I blog about nothing and everything...Come by and say hello!

As you may know by now, this month, Aubrey and I are sharing our Reverse Bucket Lists. Instead of creating a list of things that we want to do, we're creating lists of things we have already done. Think of major accomplishments, silly feats, or even things you did back when you were a kid. As always, make this post your own! We cannot wait to see what you come up with!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
meetup1e
blogger meetup with Julie!
I consider myself a fairly safe, reserved person so creating this list was almost as hard as I expected it to be. But writing my list really made me realize that even though I haven't done a lot of crazy adventurous things as you may have, I've still accomplished a lot. There's something about reflecting on your life in a positive way that can really lift your spirits.

So here's my list! I cannot wait to read yours!

1. Read the Bible cover to cover in a year.

2. Steered a ferry boat down a river.

3. Played viola in front of judges as well as solos in front of audiences.

4. Found multiple four leaf clovers.

5. Met blogging friends in real life.

6. Watched the sun set on the beach.

7. Took a ballroom dance class and two yoga classes.

8. Hiked to the top of a mountain.

9. Hiked (a short part) of the Pacific Crest Trail.

10. Graduated college summa cum laude in under four years.

11. Helped fold 1,000 gold origami cranes.

12. Lost and have since kept off about 40 pounds since graduating high school.

13. Spun clay on a pottery wheel.

14. Went (indoor) rock climbing.

15. Blogged for over five(!) years.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's on YOUR Reverse Bucket List? If you'd like to share (which I hope you do/will!), grab a button, add your link below and share your post with the hashtag #thecirclelinkup! 
THE CIRCLE LINK-UP

640linkuppng






640nextmonthpng
Our next link-up will be a month from now on Wednesday, May 20th and we'll be sharing Spring 15 Moodboards. Pretty open for interpretation, right? Now's the chance to do a little window shopping (or maybe Pinterest scrolling) to find something springy for your closet, blog design, home, workspace, or maybe something entirely different! The only thing that will be similar between each moodboard is that each moodboard will have a total of 15 things (or colors, patterns, etc.) to celebrate Spring 2015. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

55 comments

  1. wow awesome accomplishments! Reading the bible in one year - THAT is awesome! and all that origami :-O i think i got to about 20 kusudama flowers and had to stop haha
    really enjoyed this link up :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are awesome! I think I'm most impressed by the Bible thing, your summa cum laude, and keeping off 40 pounds- you go girl!!! I also didn't know you played the viola (sounds like quite well too!) It's funny that you want to learn the ukulele even though you already have a primary instrument... I totally get it though because I've been wanting to learn the violin forrrreverrrr and I've been playing the piano since I was six. This topic is SO SO fun! I'm looking forward to reading the rest!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your list is quite impressive! Good life.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've been indoor rock climbing just once--that was a ton of fun! I love this theme for a link up--I hope that you don't mind that I updated a really old post just a bit so that I could join in!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kiki - This was my first time with The Circle and I loved it! Great prompt. Creating my reverse bucket list (along with reading other's lists) made me feel inspired and fulfilled. Looking forward to next month's linkup.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love! So important to remember all the adventures we've already had!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my gosh. Okay, you might not have done some things most people consider super adventurous, but #3 (playing in front of judges) is HUGE. That is one thing that makes me more nervous than just about anything else. Ah! Terrifying. I read the Bible from cover to cover in a year a few years ago. It was hard, but I'm really glad I did it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think you've done some really awesome things!! Hiked to the top of a mountain?! Can't say I've ever been brave enough to do that one! And way to go with the viola playing in front of judges/an audience, that's something to be proud of!
    LOVED this idea for the linkup--it was just what I needed to do in my life, think of things that I've already done that I can be proud of!

    ReplyDelete
  9. SUCH a fun theme. I love how it gave me a little perspective on life... I might feel kind of boring, but thinking through things that I've done that might appear on a bucket list opens my eyes to how cool my life has been - thanks for that :) So fun to read the cool stuff from your life too - steering a ferry boat sounds impressive, as does the 1000 paper cranes project. And I'm an under-4-year graduate too :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. this link-up seems so cool (plus some of my favorite bloggers told me about it), and this prompt is so fun!! i love that you've read your Bible cover to cover (within a year?!) and that you've found multiple 4-leaf clovers. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. This was a really fun writing prompt! And I have always wanted to try a pottery wheel! I've considered taking a class but there's not really anywhere I can take one around where I live.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Although you think some of these may be small accomplishments, they take a lot of determination and skill, so in other words, you have a very impressive life! Girl, I can't even tell you how many times someone mentions a verse, and I have to flip through every single book to find the one we're supposed to read. You are SO accomplished!

    You have so much ahead of you, sweet friend. I can't wait to see the things you do and the places you go.



    Also, I think you need a blog post on that time you steered a ferry boat down the river. WHAT ON EARTH?! I NEED TO KNOW.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kiki, this was such a fun writing prompt! Sometimes, I suffer from fear of missing out, so reminding myself that I have actually had an adventure or two was really nice. Next time I'm feeling down because I am stuck inside on a sunny day, I am going to refer back to this list.


    Also - I can totally join you on the folding 1,000 origami cranes thing! I still have crates full of the cranes I folded before my wedding. I didn't even end up using them in the decor, but it was calming, folding them every night of the planning process. My favorites I strung up in our bedroom, and the rest I've slowly been using as embellishments to gifts and things like that, so they all will get a use someday. :D

    ReplyDelete
  14. You have accomplished so many amazing things, Kiki! The first one blows my mind! I am really inspired and impressed by you! The second one is probably the least expected! Haha. I love that you did that, and now I really want to hear the full story.
    So what were the 1,000 origami cranes for? I am so curious!
    I love this list, Kiki, thanks for thinking up this really fun prompt! I definitely had fun with it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love that you included events that were more "once-in-a-lifetime" as well as some that were a little easier to accomplish. Very well-rounded. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. That was my hope and I'm so glad you noticed that. I definitely struggled coming up with my list because I'm not much of an adventurous crazy spirit. But I tried to wrack my brain for everything I've done, as weird and mundane as they might be. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Aw, thanks Finley! It was tough to read it all, but it's something that I'm glad I ended up doing. It definitely helped to have a plan, that's for sure!


    And the cranes weren't just for me, it was for my grandparent's 50th anniversary (a Japanese tradition). :) Thank goodness I didn't have to do it all on my own!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks, Sarah! I do play the viola! I played it from 4th grade through my senior year in high school (super impressed you know what a viola is, btw!) and did a few festivals and solos here and there--not necessarily by choice, though! It was more of a school-thing, really.


    And I've always wanted to play an instrument that allows me to sing/hum as I play. I've also always wanted to play piano, too. I guess the saying "you always want what you don't have" kind of applies to instrument playing, too!

    ReplyDelete
  19. A good and blessed life, indeed! I am really and truly blessed to have done so many things, even if they are weird and mundane!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I loved it--even though I'm crazy afraid of heights. There was something so freeing about it. :) And you are MORE than welcome to update old posts. I can't wait to read yours!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yay!!!! That means so much to me that you loved it! That really is my hope and goal for this link-up and it means a lot to get feedback like that. I can't wait to read your post and get back to your email, too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Soooooo true. This post really had me realize that there's so much to be grateful for in my life, even if it's not super crazy or huge in terms of accomplishments. :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. oh that is an awesome tradition! is that just for 50th anniversaries? That would be such a bonding fun time if you were doing with family :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Now that you mention it, I struggled creating my post because a lot of times these kinds of lists are filled with crazy adventurous things that I just wouldn't do on a whim or anything (calling me a scaredy cat would be an understatement at times!).


    But I've realized that it's not about comparing lists, it's about looking back and seeing all that you've done in the past.


    And so glad you can relate to playing in front of judges. It was sooooo nerve-wracking! I did it a few times back in high school and even though it wasn't super formal or anything, it was still something that I don't want to repeat anytime soon because I was alllll nerves. :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for those kind words! I tend to think of my life as pretty boring and uneventful so looking back and really trying to think of things to add to my list was a fun and weird challenge of sorts. :) I can't wait to read your post!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I can so relate to what your thoughts are on these reverse bucket lists. I definitely struggled with making mine seem interesting and fun because I am a pretty safe and un-adventurous spirit. So it was tough, but it really made me realize that life isn't about comparing our accomplishments to others' or doing things to one-up another. It's about living it YOUR way. :)


    As for the ferry boat, it was just an elementary school field trip (I guess I played that one up, haha) and the cranes were for my grandparents' 50th anniversary (it's a Japanese tradition!). :)


    I can't wait to read your post! And hooray for a fellow under-4 year grad!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. The Circle really is fun (although, I might be a little biased!). :) I haven't had a chance to go through all of the posts yet but I'm excited to see what everyone comes up with. I look forward to (hopefully!) seeing you around in The Circle in the future! :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Yay! I'm glad you loved it and am so glad you linked up, too! The pottery wheel was SO much fun. I took it as a summer class when I was a kid but would do it again in a heartbeat. :) I hope you get a chance to do it someday, too!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Aw, thanks Christina! I had a hard time thinking that these were accomplishments because I'm not a very adventurous spirit. I tend to play it safe and thus, I don't do "crazy" things. But making this list really made me realize that it's not about what I haven't done, but what I HAVE done. Thank you SO much for reiterating that! :)


    And unfortunately, there's not a huge story to tell when it comes to steering a ferry boat down a river. It was a field trip when I was younger and we all had a chance to steer the boat (even though the captain was right there with us, haha). :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I so understand that fear of missing out. I struggled with writing my own post because I really felt like mine weren't accomplishments worth stating. But, like you said, we have to remind ourselves that our adventures (no matter what they are) are adventures in and of itself. :)


    That's so cool that you folded all those cranes for your wedding (even if you didn't end up using them!). They would definitely hold a lot of value and sentiment now, that it was a calming process in the days leading up to your wedding and that you have some hanging now, too!

    ReplyDelete
  31. It's tradition to do it for 50th anniversaries (I think) but people also fold 1,000 cranes for weddings and for get well wishes, too. I think they're thought to bring luck and peace and health! :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I can't wait to read your reverse bucket list, Jenna! I didn't expect to have so much fun creating mine and I'm excited to dive into all the posts this weekend!


    The cranes were for my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. It's tradition to fold 1,000 cranes for 50th wedding anniversaries or weddings or for those in need of well wishes in general!


    Unfortunately, there's not a huge story to tell regarding the ferry boat! It was a field trip when I was younger and we all had a chance to steer the boat (even though the captain was right there behind me the entire time, haha). :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Meet a blogging friend is so high on my list right now. I feel like so many bloggers are meeting each other! And you've hiked the PCT! Even if just part, that is amazing and I would LOVE to do that. Even just a little bit. I bet it was beautiful!


    This has probably been one of my favorite topics so far for The Circle. I have loved getting to see what everyone has done! So many fun, interesting, and inspiring things! I made a slight edit to my list and included seeing the Grand Canyon. I can't believe I left it off at first. It was back in high school while I was in AZ for a mission trip. I don't have pictures, because I had ordered a new camera and it came in the day AFTER I flew out. I was so bummed. Now I just have memories. But, it was absolutely breathtaking and I cried at the first sight of it.


    Anyways, great topic. I loved it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Girl, we should MEEEEEET up someday. I would more than love to explore the outdoors and take tons of photos with you. And I'm pretty sure I've said this a million times before but I'll say it again and again until it comes true!


    And it was a reallllllly small part of the PCT. It was just a short bit because we were staying near part of it on a family trip! But it was really beautiful, but that could just be my bias/love for the PNW talking!


    And a trip to the Grand Canyon WHILE on a missions trip? That's awesome! I would love to see that--it sounds breathtaking!

    ReplyDelete
  35. 4 leaf clovers?! You must be awfully lucky... I've never found one!! (Maybe I just don't have the patience to look though. :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I didn't really have the patience until my sister found one--then I had to see if I could find one, too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. What an ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT idea!!!!!!! Love it!!! Thank you!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thank YOU for linking up and joining in!!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. What!? It's on my list to find a 4 leaf clover!! I've searched my whole life!! I still want to see more of your viola playing!!! ah pottery!! I've never spun it on a wheel, but I did take a pottery class in high school - I love working with my hands like that! ballroom dancing!? How awesome!!!! thank you for having me as a co-host this month!! I loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Come over and find some! Our clovers in our backyard must have some odd gene because there are some all over! :)


    And I need to pull out my instruments more! I haven't played either in awhile and need to--like literally dust it off and tune it up, haha. I want to hear yours, too, speaking of which!


    And thank YOU for co-hosting with me. It was a blast and we should do it again sometime!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I think it must since all of us instrument players aspire to play something else haha. You can sing with the ukulele!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I think so, too! I was talking about it with someone else and I really do think once we've started one, we want to try another and another, haha. Who knew that was a real thing? :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Exactly! And then, unless we're mozart, can very well land up not being very good at any of them. I would still love to learn the guitar because it's so darn portable and the perfect campfire instrument. So I have piano, guitar, and violin all on my list... yikes :O

    ReplyDelete
  44. Haha, so true so true. I'd love to learn the guitar, too! It really does seem like THE instrument to learn (along with piano, which I've always wanted to do but worry I would stink at playing two different things on each hand!). :) Someday we will!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Some day we will! At the very least... in heaven we'll play all of them perfectly haha :)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Yay!! Thanks for joining in, Julie!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Aw, hooray! Thank YOU so much for linking up! I'm excited to read your next post! :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. I'm a little late to the party but figured I would add my link anyway. Found your blog on another blog (velvet-rose.net) and thought this was a great exercise. Thanks for organizing!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Better late than never, right? I can't wait to read your post--thanks for linking up! :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. For anyone interested: "The Anti-Bucket List" via Zen Habits!
    http://zenhabits.net/anti-bucket/

    ReplyDelete

© IN ITS TIMEMaira Gall