As I’ve mentioned before, I love setting birthday goals. For my 28th birthday, I went with a 28 at 28 list. For 29, I chose to set 5 intentional personal goals.
But I’ve known for months before turning 30 that I wanted to do something different this year.
I mean, it’s the big 3-0, it has to be something extra awesome, right?
The last year and a half or so, I’ve been really inspired watching Elise work on her 26 Projects and 27 Materials birthday projects. (Yay for fellow birthday goal makers!) I loved that her goal was a defined challenge but with still enough flexibility to evolve throughout the year as her tastes and interests changed.
And so I’ve come up with a plan that’s definitely inspired by Elise but with my own Nettio-style twist on it. And I’m really excited about it. In fact I’ve been eagerly anticipating my birthday just so I could get started!
That’s one way to get excited about turning 30, no?
One of the things I’ve realized the last year or two is I’ve been in a bit of a rut creatively. Not necessarily uninspired to create but not exactly LOVING what I was doing either. I’d gotten to a place where I felt comfortable and as a result, started playing it a bit too safe and not pushing myself as much as I did back when I was a newbie scrapbooker.
And so I came up with this idea as a way to break me out of that rut.
Introducing 30 Creative Adventures
What exactly is a creative adventure, you say? Well my loose definition is this:
A creative adventure is anything that pushes me outside my comfort zone and inspires me to think about design, creativity and my world in an interesting and unique way.
As Apple would put it, I want to be inspired to think differently.
Some of these adventures will be big projects and some will be small. Some will be scrapbooking related and some will most definitely not be. Some might not be projects at all, at least in the traditional sense of the word.
But that’s exactly why I’m SO excited about this birthday goal. Because it’s an opportunity to spend a year try all those different creative or design based things that I see but never do. And I’m hoping these adventures will lead to more inspiration in my day to day life and work as well.
My goal is to have all 30 creative adventures completed before my 31st birthday on 05.24.2013 and half (15) of them completed before my half-birthday in November. Which means I need to keep on an every other week pace with a few extra ones thrown in here and there.
Update Jan 2013: Due to a little something called life (namely my grandma passing away), I’m giving myself until the end of 2013 to complete my 30 Creative Adventures. Still the same awesome goal just a little extra time.
I’m sure it won’t be easy but considering I’m already feeling way inspired about it, I’m thinking it’s 100% the right goal for this year. And of course, if you’re feeling inspired to go on a creative adventure of your own at any point, you’re more than welcome to play along!
So that’s my birthday goal plan for this next year! What about you? Could you use an extra dose of creativity like me? Are you working on any fun goals of your own right now?
Sabine says
Wow, love this idea! 🙂 I’m turning 30 this year, too, in August. And I’m still wandering what I want to do with this special year. Somehow it’s a big thing. Can’t really figure out, why, except everyone is saying so.
Your idea is great. I will definitely keep that in mind and am anxious to see your big adventures!!
Lynnette says
Haha, I think for me 30 just feels like a milestone, I mean it’s the beginning of a whole new decade! I’m still waiting for someone to deliver a box of life wisdom on my doorstep though – I was so sure that would happen when I turned 30, LOL.
NeverendingJen says
Oh my, how scarily similar our minds are working lately. I’ve been trying to decide what I wanted to do for my birthday project this year and am thinking it’s going to be projects and adventures..or maybe techniques or materials…sigh. I have a few weeks left to decide, lol!
Lynnette says
You should totally do it! Then we can cheer each other on. 😀
NeverendingJen says
I think I’m going to, I just need to decide for sure what I want to do! We’ll definitely have to encourage each other!
Ginger_79 says
Awesome goal, Lynnette! I just had a look at my 20+12 project. Hmm, 5 layouts and 2 projects down. I need to catch up! At least I did finish my 30 days of list mini recently.
Lynnette says
Thanks Inga! I still need to finish my 30 days of lists mini – it’s on my to do list.
daniscrapper says
Girls, what is 30 days of list? I’m curious!!
Lynnette says
This is 30 Days of Lists: http://30daysoflists.com The next round is in March!
daniscrapper says
I love the idea… your birthday goals inspired me to create a layout with lists about my birthdays, too and I’m thinking of my next one because I’m about to turn 32. Well, I won’t jump in because I have lots of projects in mind and all of them take a lot of energy and time. I’m going to be more effective in 101 things in 2013. Maybe another time.
Good luck!
Lynnette says
Ooo, good luck! 101 things is a big goal!
Susi says
I love how Elise has really inspired so many of us! I just found your blog and I love how you are the digi version of Elise. I am definitely putting you on my daily reads.
Lynnette says
Thanks Susi! I’m a huge fan of Elise so I’m super flattered to be called a digi version of her. 😀