Nobody puts baillee in the corner

23 Things I Plan To Do/Stop Doing at 23

  1. Visit three different states: I’ve only been to Oklahoma and California, and I want to change that. I want to get out there and travel the world and get new writing material. Maybe I’ll even get detained at LAX again for bringing my homework on a plane. Who knows?
  2. Stop letting others define my worth: I constantly struggle with letting others define my worth. If I guy doesn’t like me, I have to fight to not take it personally. If someone comments negatively on something I do, I take it as that my writing is garbage (like trash, not the band. If I meant the band, I would be in pretty good shape). As William Ernest Henley wrote, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” (I would like to say I first heard this quote in college, but I actually first read it in fourth grade when I was reading one of The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes books).
  3. One good deed a month: I honestly hope I can do more than one good deed a month, but I’m setting a small goal to create a competition for myself.
  4. Learn how to edit: I feel bad about leaving my poor podcast compatriot alone with editing COD, so I plan to download some software and learn all about editing. The bets are now open for how long it will take for me to weep over my laptop and college degree after having deleted an entire sound file.
  5. Learn a new language: Ever since I watched Mr. Holland’s Opus as a kid, I’ve always wanted to learn sign language. I’ve picked up a little here and there, but I really want to be fluent.
  6. Get my last three tattoos: Before anyone freaks out, know that the last two are really, really small. Plus, I already have an appointment for my last big tattoo, so this should be a pretty easy one to mark off.
  7. Work on letting go: I am done with one-sided friendships. I am through with letting the past creep into my present. I will no longer be bothered by those who liked Interstellar. I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but I’m going to focus on the now and not dwell on things.
  8. Go on more solo adventures: Lately, I’ve been neglecting my alone time. Sure, I watch the movie for COD and write alone, but it’s been a long time since I’ve taken the bus downtown and just explored Austin. I’m starting to make these a priority, which leads me to number nine:
  9. Take more time for myself: As I previously mentioned, I do a lot of research and writing for my podcasts/blog/HelloGiggles ish alone, but it’s very rare that I take time for myself to just relax. I need Baillee time to avoid murdering anyone a la Carrie.
  10. Cultivate important relationships: I want to focus on the relationships in my life I deem important. I want to spend more time with my father. I want to be more present with the friends who have always been there for me. I want Pizza Hut to still send me Hut Lover deals. I want to make sure I am a Stuffed Crust grade daughter, sister, and friend as opposed to a Thin-and-Crispy person.
  11. Read more: I reserve my reading time for opening shifts at my store. Outside of my sacred few minutes, I have no time reserved for reading. I am a relatively fast reader, but it took me two months to get through the book I just finished. I feel like I’m cheating myself and dishonoring one of my favorite sketches from The Birthday Boys by not reading more.
  12. Stop setting up a Tinder profile drunk and quickly deleting it: No explanation necessary.
  13. Watch more non-work related movies: Don’t get me wrong, I love my podcast. It’s my first born little podcast baby brainchild, but I conduct two to three hours of research (yes, really) per episode. That’s why I’m pledging to also watch another horror movie a week just for fun.
  14. Finally clear out my Amazon cart: I have 12 things in my cart on Amazon for over a year. I want them so much that I don’t have the heart to put them in my wish list. My goal is to own all twelve by my 24 birthday. Look out poster frames, I’m coming for you.
  15. Book Three Semi-Famous Guests for COD: Look out directors and Austin famous horror peeps, I’m coming for you and those poster frames.
  16. Finally finish The West Wing: Again, no explanation need. CJ Craig is the classiest broad alive.
  17. Become a dog mom:  I promise to never yell at them for wire hangers or leave them nothing in my will.
  18. Cook at least three times a week: Note: Hamburger Helper does count.
  19. Go for more night drives: aka convince friends to take me on more night drives. Also, for all of those who make fun of me for not driving, Tina Fey does not have her driver’s license. Mic. Drop.
  20. Start writing my book: Think of it as a mixture of Chelsea Handler, Judy Blume, and J.D. Salinger.
  21. See the bats: Yes, I’ve lived in Austin for five years, and I’ve never once seen the bats fly out from under the bridge. Someone help.
  22. Learn to play guitar: I’ve had a guitar since I was 12, and I can’t play a note. I feel like my entire life is a lie.
  23. Stop making list blog posts: Just kidding!
  24. Advance my technology: This means I finally want to get a Blu-Ray player (mostly because I want to get that Scream box set out of my Amazon cart) but also get a VHS player. You can’t expect me to totally change.

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