22 Things

Sometimes life seems way too BIG. Sometimes we feel stuck, wishing we could change things, but not knowing how to start. We've all been there, all said things like:

If only... I wish... Some day I'll...

It's so easy to get mired down with every day life. With the I Want It NOW mentality that our society seems to have embraced, it's frustrating when we know what we want, but we are too impatient to wait. Too scared and overwhelmed to take the first step.

I'm speaking from experience here people. Impatience has caused a great deal of stress in my life. I've been spending years trying to run without learning first how to walk. Hell, even before I've learned to crawl. I want to change my life, but I'm paralyzed by the daunting task ahead. 

It was in the midst of this internal struggle that 22 Things was born. Call them baby steps, call them what you like, but in essence it's about focusing on what we can do, not what we can't. So that's just what I did. I made a list of things I can do right now. When a bunch of small changes are combined, they lead to BIG things and BIG changes!

How Does It Work? 
22 Things is a Creative Change Challenge. By signing up, you are announcing to the world - and more importantly yourself - that you are breaking free of the long standing idea that in order to make changes in your life, you have to do BIG things. 22 Things is about making a list twenty-two small steps you can take - right now - to change your life.

How Do I Join?
Easy!

First, sign up using the handy Mr. Linky's Magical Widget at the bottom of this post. Include your blog URL so we can all visit your site. This is all about sharing and inspiring others.

Second, make a list of 22 small things you can do right now. Forget the BIG stuff. Don't worry if you don't have a theme in mind, in fact it's probably better if you don't! Let your intuition dictate what's important to you.

What's Next?
So you've signed up, great! You've got your list, awesome! Now what? Well, three things:

1. Grab the lovely badge for your blog, because BLING makes everything better!

2. Follow my blog for updates on 22 Things.

3. Blog about your experience. I encourage you to blog at least once a month on your small step journey. Each month I will post a theme. Yes, yes I know. I just finished saying forget a theme, forget the BIG stuff and I mean that. BUT, I strongly believe that we need to re-evaluate our lists from time to time. As we accomplish an item, we can replace it with a new item. Life is not static, therefore are lists shouldn't be either. The general themes will help spark ideas. Use them, or not, it's your choice.

Grab this badge for your blog

Below is my list of 22 Things. Notice that they're small things. Instead of listing 'get published' I wrote 'keep writing'. Maybe next month I'll add 'enter a contest'.
  1. Register for a university course
  2. Buy art supplies and play!
  3. Keep writing
  4. Keep editing
  5. Look for workshops and lectures on topics that interest me.
  6. Network.
  7. Read more.
  8. Have fun.
  9. Be self aware and mindful of the world around me.
  10. Talk to my supportive friends and family.
  11. Enjoy the time I have and be positive.
  12. Have faith in the Universe.
  13. Sing and dance for no reason.
  14. Blog about my journey.
  15. Listen and learn more.
  16. Have patience and meditate.
  17. Take risks to boost confidence.
  18. Accept and allow myself to make mistakes.
  19. Realize life is all about the journey. It's not a race to the finish.
  20. Remember it's never too late to change things.
  21. Remember there is always hope. 
  22. Try new things without fear.
My hope is that this challenge will inspire you to take those first steps. To overcome that sense of fear and apprehension. Have fun, be creative, share and inspire others and check in with yourself often. Remember it's all about the small things here!

Special thanks to Benji Todd for his amazing artwork for the badge!

33 comments:

Unknown said...

This sounds like a great idea and fun! I am going to work on my list today and post it on my blog this evening. I think I accidentally signed up twice - oops! LOL! This can also be a great motivational tool - especially for me as my work life tends to take over my day, and the at home business I run with my fiance takes over a large part of my evening home life, often leaving me very little time to write on a consistent basis. Now, as I get ready for my day I will be thinking of what little things I want to put on my list in order to make the BIG changes in my creative life!!

Angie Richmond said...

Hi Michelle, thanks for signing up! I only have you listed once, so all is good. Good luck with your list and congratulations on taking that first small step!!

Fel Lennie said...

Seems like a great idea of yours - I take life in small steps already but good to know there are helpers & support to encourage you along the way :-)

Angie Richmond said...

Thanks for signing up Fel!

Angela Lynn said...

I just love all of this! And I'm oh so glad I found your list through Twitter. I will definitely be joining in. Thank you for inspiring us all to take baby steps. They really are the cornerstones of life.

Angie Richmond said...

Welcome aboard Ang! Thanks so much for joining :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for inspiring me with this challenge, as well as providing an awesome reason to go small but feel great while doing it! I'm of the opinion that the smaller things often give us the greater rewards in life, so this challenge is definitely one to be remembered.

As Arthur Schopenhauer says :

The business of the novelist is not to relate great events, but to make small ones interesting.

Hell yeah, let's do this!

Angie Richmond said...

That's what it's all about, Bea! All those small steps add up to BIG things. It can be stressful worrying about how we will get that end result, but taking those small steps leads us in the right direction.

Welcome aboard!

Jenny Perinovic said...

Oh, I just had to be a part of this! I think it's a great idea and totally doable. :) Thanks for inspiring me!

Angie Richmond said...

I love your enthusiasm, Jenny! So glad you joined :) Oh and you're welcome!

karmacoy said...

I've just joined in this challenge! Looking forward to it (I heart lists!!)

karmacoy said...

Okay, I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but i can't seem to get the badge to appear. If anyone could instruct me, please message me, thanks!

Extremely Average said...

I have to admit I was won over by the bright and shiny badge. I like making lists and always do better when I have. This may help me get more done. Great idea.

Angie Richmond said...

YAY! Thanks for signing up Brian :) Let the journey begin.

Extremely Average said...

In an unrelated note, love the girl vs. boy ratio in this group. :-)

Angie Richmond said...

Yes, we are a bit short on men, but the ones we have are wonderful!

csyusten said...

So exciting to finally have my own 22 Things! What a great idea, Angie!

Jaime Cooper said...

Not sure I'll find 22 things, but I'm gonna get it started! :D

Angie Richmond said...

Wonderful! Welcome aboard ladies!!

Extremely Average said...

I finished my list. http://extremelyaverage.com/2012/03/5623/
This is fun.

Four and a half cats said...

Hmmm.. I'm not sure what Extremely Average has gotten me into here. But I'm giving it a go as well. I have my list made and posted at http://tom2do.blogspot.com/2012/03/22-things-to-do.html

Angie Richmond said...

Welcome aboard, Tom! Thanks so much for joining and feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

Four and a half cats said...

I am on Twitter @ThomOlsen. Now I need to make a new list to go with this one.. called "44 But First List" because I need to do the ToDo list, #BUTFIRST I need to get materials, eat breakfast, run to the store for my wife, find my gloves, find the twine, find my potting soil, etc, etc, ad infinitum.

Angie Richmond said...

Thanks for letting me know. I like to promote my participants as much as possible!

Oh dear! Don't get too bogged down :) Good luck!

Lisa Shambrook said...

Just done mine... Kept waiting for spare time to ponder my 22, but bit the bullet and got it done anyway! Now to keep to it!

Angie Richmond said...

Thanks for joining Stephanie and Lisa! Please don't hesitate to contact me!

Good luck on your journey for change :)

Bea said...

Just checking in with all the new people taking part in the challenge! I gotta say, seeing all these new names is an utter inspiration to do more than ever - so thanks to everyone aboard the Change Train. Also, check out all the new men on the list! I'm sure all of you are wonderful. Also, to Mr. Extremely Average up there - thanks for adding me to the list on Twitter! ;)

Angie Richmond said...

Isn't it just wonderful, Bea? Thanks for the comment and sharing the love!

Anonymous said...

Okay, I did it. The list is done and you are amazing for coming up with a fun idea to get us out of our pits of despair, or slumps or feelings of inadequacy. Cheers!

http://mariefrizelle.com/2012/03/22/its-the-little-things/

Anna said...

This is a great idea! I have been feeling like I'm stuck in the same place for years. This is exactly what I need. Thanks for the challenge! :)

Angie Richmond said...

Thanks for joining Anna!

Unknown said...

A similar philosophy I've lived by- I can do anything for a short time, now I'll add your small steps. Great website. http://jemcogdell.blogspot.com/

Angie Richmond said...

Thanks Jean Elaine!

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