30 Before 30

    Now although I've done this type of list before, I feel that it is important to do this exercise again this year; almost every time my birthday approaches, I start thinking of all the things I failed to achieve, didn't do, or didn't complete. I didn't get my teaching certificate. I never held a job I thoroughly enjoyed (not for long, anyway). I never made $15 an hour or had the opportunity to claim the benefits of a 40 hour work week. I never had a place to call my own. Now some of these, or maybe all of these, are not my fault. Anyway, today I've challenged myself to make a list of 30 things I DID accomplish before 30 (although I'll be 29 this year). This list includes things big and small because it's time for me to acknowledge that there is no such thing as a small success when you're simultaneously handling anxiety, depression, and chronic insomnia induced by past traumas.

1.) Broke the school track record for the mile and earned a total of 4 track medals in middle school.
2.) Joined marching band and symphonic band in high school.
3.) Nailed a trumpet solo in senior year of high school.
4.) Graduated from high school as a member of the National Honor Society.
5.) Became the 1st in my family to complete a four year college degree.
6.) Spent 2 weeks in Maine hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness.
7.) Spent 10 days in Montana doing trail maintenance with the Sierra Club.
8.) Volunteered to work at a summer camp for children on the Autism Spectrum.
9.) Volunteered to work for MD Special Olympics to celebrate my birthday.
10.) Started a poetry club in high school.
11.) Got a short story published.
12.) Got a couple of poems published.
13.) Got a full scholarship to Montgomery College.
14.) Worked one summer as a paid counselor for a couple of children on the Autism Spectrum.
15.) Overcame a fear of driving and got a driver's license and a car.
16.) Became conversational in French & memorized 16 French songs.
17.) Got straight A's one semester in college.
18.) Started a blog.
19.) Hiked the entire Appalachian Trail with my own money.
20.) Ended up in someone else's  blog/book about the A.T.
21.) Was interviewed for a podcast about A.T. thru-hikers.
22.) Ended up in a documentary about women thru-hiking the A.T.
23.) Spent 8 months in Europe on a self funded trip.
24.) Became the plant-care coordinator for a Community Supported Agriculture Scheme in England.
25.) Launched a writing class for my chapel community.
26.) Self-published my own book of poetry.
27.) Finished a 9 mile Tough Mudder race.
28.) Wrote and recited meditations for events hosted by my chapel.
29.) Spent my spring break volunteering to help with hurricane relief in Alabama in 10th grade.
30.) Walked the El Camino in France and Spain.

And I have also managed to heal myself well enough to experience emotional and physical intimacy with someone which, believe it or not, is no small feat.