#1: Start a Blog

I need a place to chronicle this journey, so creating a blog is my first official 40x40 experience.  It's actually a bold move for me since I consider myself a very private person.  I share lots of pictures and family happenings on Facebook and Instagram, occasionally post something professional on LinkedIn and on the rare occasion have been caught tweeting (ok, very rare…42 tweets in the two years I've been on Twitter), but overall I avoid getting too deep, personal or vulnerable.

However, one of my overall goals is to develop more meaningful personal relationships. So, I'm using this project as a means to open up a bit. Partially to aid in my self development, but also in hopes to inspire others to break away from the comforts or stresses of everyday life and explore a few new things for the sake of variety and more purposeful living. 

I hope you will share this journey with me. Please contribute your own or similar experiences, questions or thoughts along the way. Your participation will encourage me to complete this project.

Only 39 new experiences to go!

Why the 40 by 40 project?

Many have approached ‘the big 4-0’ and had the sudden urge to break away from the rut of everyday life. For me, it came out of the blue one day when I had the sudden realization that my thirties would not last forever. They will, in fact, end on February 20, 2015. 365 days from today.

My Family

And when that happens, I can say I’ve had a fabulous first 40. I am blessed with an amazing family. I have a husband who kisses me everyday before we leave the house for work. I completely adore my two spirited, loving daughters (Maya just turned 11 and Luca is 7 going on 13). It’s a great family life.

My career life is also fulfilling. After 11 years in the newspaper industry, I took a leap to healthcare where I'm currently VP of Strategy for an organization committed to improving the patient experience. I spend my days (and nights, often) developing programs and resources for our members and guests who passionately want to improve the healthcare experience for patients and their family members. I feel great about what I do.

I love my community. I live in Colleyville, Texas where my husband and I are in our fifth year of teaching 2^nd Grade Sunday School. I adore the kids we work with each week and love impacting their lives. I’ve been a Girl Scout Troop Leader, a Destination Imagination Team Manager and the coordinator of our elementary school’s talent show. I love where I live and enjoy being an active member of our community.

I’m uber-fortunate. Even my dogs greet me at the door, tails wagging, multiple times every day. Who could ask for more?

I love where I am, but there is more I’d like to experience before the next 40. So, I’m starting that journey now with a commitment to have 40 new experiences before I reach the age of 40.  Initially the idea was to have 40 new adventures, but there’s too much pressure in the word 'adventure.' I’m not necessarily looking to jump out of airplanes or climb Mt. Everest. I just want to encourage myself to step into some new territory. Meet new people…see new places…try new things...even give back to the world in ways I haven't before. We’ll see where it goes.

I have an initial list of 'new experience' ideas, but I welcome additional suggestions. I need approx. one every nine days to meet my goal. Yikes! Better get started.