19 Possible New Things to Explore in 2019

~ patwdoyle11

Since I completed my Retirement Transition book (more to come on final publication!), I’ve been feeling the need for a new “big project”.  Keep in mind, I love (need) a plan!

It was suggested I just start writing my next book. And that is a possibility. But I wondered about other things to explore this year. So I started with looking at my Personal Possibilities List. There are a lot of choices and I am struggling to narrow it down to one or two things to really focus on. So here are 19 possible new things for 2019, in no specific order.

  1. Get serious about cooking – take more cooking classes and/or do another round of meal deliveries and/or plan one new recipe a month
  2. Learn Tai Chi
  3. Seriously update the wardrobe – no more T-shirts/cargo shorts
  4. Learn chess
  5. Wire wrap jewelry – explore YouTube videos and do it
  6. Book promotion – learn how to market it and do it
  7. Take classes in dance – country line dancing, ballroom dance
  8. Learn how to sketch
  9. Plan next Big Trip in detail
  10. Find & join a book club
  11. Find & join a new church
  12. Explore mixed media art, maybe shell art
  13. Volunteer somewhere
  14. Take some OLLI Classes (our local life long learning program)
  15. Study Astronomy (I have a course DVD!)
  16. Plan multiple local mini-adventures/play tourist in own town
  17. Explore what spirituality means to me
  18. Organize photos (finally)
  19. Write – memoir; start another book idea

Knowing me (some of you do quite well), what’s your first pick for me to do? Anyone want to become a partner in something? I am putting my Spring Bucket List together, so your input will be used!

If it were you, is there something here you would choose to explore?  Are you adding any ideas to your own possibilities list?

Picture Credit: Pixabay

 

Published by patwdoyle11

Life is a series of transitions and my blog captures my retirement transition journey.

51 thoughts on “19 Possible New Things to Explore in 2019”

  1. Pingback: Throwback Thursday – REFINE everything – retirementtransition

    1. I started yoga in my retirement and am hooked on it for sure. And the beach, too! AI… hmm? That’s not one I’ve thought a out – good for you for embracing something new!

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    1. Hi Kyle, thanks for joining the conversation. As I posted in my most recent blog, that one did make it into my Seasonal Bucket list. We’ve got a local food tour planned next weekend… now just hoping for decent weather!

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  5. Pingback: Seasonal Bucket List – A New Way to Talk the Quarterly Action Plan – retirementtransition

  6. Yay for finishing the book! That is on my goal list- I have two books started and half done on both and then I put it off and work on something else and I want to get back to it. I also bought the things to make wire jewelry and have not learned how to do it. I, too, need to organize photos. I’ve been wanting to do a family history for my family. I would love to learn to sketch and also want to explore my spirituality and find a new church.

    Life is too short! I want to do everything!

    Which one should you do first? The one the makes you most excited!

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    1. Michelle, I think your last line is the best… and I’ve narrowed it down and will post soon what I’ve decided. I think it was more insightful to learn about others – you’ve got stuff for wire jewelry too?! want to find a new church? OMG… I knew we had lots in common, but some of these are really unique connections.

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  7. So many worthy projects to choose from Pat! I trust that you will choose the one (or ones) that are right for you at this time, but since you asked, I can’t resist weighing in. Because I’m feeling my wardrobe is in need of an update, that item jumped out at me. Also, it seems like having completed your book, learning how to market it would be a good next step. Of course, now that I’ve picked those two, some of the others are calling to me as well…like cooking, planning a trip, dancing… As you can see, I’m not going to be much help! Whatever you choose, I know it will be an adventure. Good luck to you! Happy spring!

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    1. Christie, Same day, same two lead suggestions from 2 different sources (you and a friend by phone!) – wardrobe refresh and book promotion. Gotta love some synchronicity. I do think more than one thing will be picked for the final list… which I’m planning to do this weekend.

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    1. Lauren, thanks for the suggestions. It has been so fun to see what folks pick! The tourist in own town is a sure thing as Ive booked us into an OTR Food Tour. We’ve enjoyed them in other cities, why not here! And then there’s Zoo Blooms…if spring would ever get here!

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  9. Hi Pat, I don’t think I could pick something for you as they all sound like great projects! You could combine a couple by volunteering to start your own book club?? I like feeling productive too but also some down time is good. Learning new things seem quite important to you so that’s a good place to start. I’ve recently looked at a list of things I thought I’d do after I retired and ended up scratching a few things off the list, which actually felt quite liberating! #mlstl

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    1. Debbie, I have not yet gotten to scratch off things on the list and maybe I do need to do that. A few things have been there for over 2 years now and there must be some reason I have not started them! Thanks for sharing it left you feeling liberated… maybe I just need to let some ideas go!!

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  10. A personal possibility list is a great idea! Why didn’t I think of that?! I love the idea of writing a memoir. I did something similar for my daughter when she was pregnant. I wrote about her life from her birth to the end of her ‘childhood’ years (when she left home, basically). It included things she hadn’t remembered, or never knew, I included the addresses of the places we’d lived (we moved a lot), different toys she had etc. It’s not really a memoir, but we forget that our children don’t remember the early years and she loved reading about herself. Maybe for those people with grown up children it could make a good present – and, honestly, it was a great experience writing it! Visiting from MLSTL and pinned. 🙂

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    1. Cheryl, I borrowed the idea of a Personal Possibilities List (renamed it) and have really found it powerful…but I am a list maker! Did you “publish” the memoir for your daughter in a book format? What a lovely idea!!

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      1. Hi Pat, I didn’t really ‘publish’ it in the true sense, but I hand wrote it for her in a nice little pink notebook (about 30-35 pages). Then I went online and found pictures of all the toys she loved over the years, printed them, and put them in a folder, along with the list of places she’d lived in and photos of them too! I’m glad I only have one child, though, it took ages to do! I hope she’ll pass it down to her children when she’s old, so that they’ll know a little about their mum and her early life.

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      2. what a lovely thing to do! I’ve been working on Julia Cameron’s memoir exercise, from her Artist Way for Retirement book, and there is so much from my early years I just cannot recall. Our daughter has a lovely memory book!

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  11. I’m still struggling with my retirement transition, but one thing I know for sure is there’s lots of things to do and enjoy (as your list suggests.) But wait! I thought retirement meant you COULD where cargo shorts and t-shirts!!! On my list is improving my strength and overall fitness – not necessarily losing weight, but being able to survive all the travel I have planned this year.

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    1. Tracey, I’m still working through a lot of the transition elements and it’s been over 4 years for me…. I guess I am a slow learner. The cargo shorts and T-shirts thing is more that I’m feeling frumpy too often…which is not a positive feeling. Hmm, I didn’t have anything specific to fitness, but I guess dance class might come close.

      BTW – my book on Retirement Transition is available at amazon.com…. if you want some things to help with the struggle. I’m working on the promotion plan now…including all the announcements, but search retirement transition doyle…. and there it is! Yeah – super cool!

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  12. Wow that’s a lot of really interesting things Pat. I wouldn’t even presume to pick or choose just one for you to start with. My question would be – what is ultimately the most important to focus on and what has long term significance? For me it would be getting right with God and having a faith community who inspired me (I always think eternity is the first priority) so that would put spirtual foundations and finding a church first, but maybe you want to start with something small rather than tackling the big issues? Good luck and I hope you let us know what you decide to do. xx
    Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂

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    1. Leanne, It’s been fascinating to hear what each person’s first pick might be…and it actually helps me know others better! I’m narrowing it down myself and will definitely let folks know what I decide!

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  13. Looks like a great list, and it must not be an accident that starting another book is last on your list since you just finished one. 🙂 I made volunteering a resolution for 2019, and I only contacted the organization I had in mind just last week (no response yet). Your #17 has resonance to me also. Good luck picking and doing; you have a lot of good ideas there. – Marty

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  14. WOW! I could say ditto to so many of the possibilities on your list. Wrap jewelry? Sketch? I keep saying I am going to pack a small sketch pad in my purse. Find and join a book club? I hear Barnes and Noble has good ones…and I have a virtual book club!! Your post is inspirational. Please continue to update us on your progress. And maybe link your post to our spring bucket list series coming out on 03.21? Would love for others to be inspired by your list!

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    1. I was thinking of using the final tallies to help me write a final spring bucket list post…not just link this one into that link-up….but you’ve given me food for thought! And just an FYI, book club and wrap jewelry have been on my to-do list since I retired. I need to figure out why I can’t seem to activate them! How does your virtual book club work?

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      1. I send out summaries for about 6-8 books to each of the members of the group via email. They read the summaries and pick the book they are most interested in reading using a survey I have created.
        I tally the votes and announce the winner then give everyone about 4-5 days to try to get the book.
        Sometimes, I can even find free copies of the winning title online or samples that the gals can read until their book arrives or becomes available through the library. We just meet to discuss the books we read through a private FB group. Not everyone is interested in discussing so it is hard, sometimes, to get a conversation started. I pose questions and so do some of the other members. And one lucky member always wins a copy of the book we have chosen to read. If you are interested, please email me at mommyhon333@hotmail.com.

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  15. Hi Pat. I think it is a great idea like this to “list” all the things that hold your interest and then prioritize them. I agree with others that with your book out…are you doing it through Amazon? I might have missed the post where you explain all that–but I agree with others that you might want to follow through with all that as a priority. Plus, once you fine out all that it entails, you might be less inspired to write another one. Marketing books is NOT high on my list although I do enjoy writing and publishing them. Still, I think it helps to know what we can do and are willing to do in that area. And also good for you for picking so many varied things to explore. I look forward to hearing which ones win out. ~Kathy

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    1. Kathy, The book will be for sale through Amazon (and Barnes & Noble), but I used a small self-publishing press. I’ve drafted a post about the process but want the book to be available before I post that…. which is imminent. I’m not sure how much marketing I will do, but for sure I will blatantly self-promote it here on the blog. 🙂

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  16. Hi Pat,
    You have to promote/market your book for sure…but I like WB Deb’s suggestion to find a balance. Something cerebral, something active, something spiritual. Since you listed your interests I’m sure any would be a good fit. I’m finding the need to make time for all three myself.

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    1. My Personal Possibilities List is pages long. Seriously. I have a friend who calls his a “Someday/Maybe List” and another who calls his “My Never Be Bored List”. It’s different than a bucket list… and I encourage you to create one of your own. Put anything on it – from the 10 foods you want to try to the 25 places you want to visit to all the possible things you might want to do. It’s not about choosing yes or no at this point, it’s about possibilities. I add to mine regularly… whenever I think “hmm that sounds interesting”, it goes on the list. I reviewed the full list to pick some things for this year….and still have a bit of analysis paralysis. I’ll be working through that (I’ve got another tool for that in fact) and it’s been super fun to hear others perspectives!

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  18. Hi Pat,

    I don’t know you as well as some, but if it was me I would pick something cerebral and also something physical from your list – for balance!

    Some ideas on your list can piggyback on each other, I think. For instance you could pair finding and joining a new church with exploring your spirituality, right?

    Great list – looking forward to reading about what you take on next!

    Deb

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  19. Wow! Isn’t it a joy to have so many things to pick from? But also for me it can be paralyzing as decisions must be made, and that hasn’t been my strong suit since I’ve retired. I agree that #6 is necessary once your book is released but may qualify as a ‘should.’ With your track record for love of learning you can probably turn it into something enjoyable, however. I have been thinking about joining a book club but I’ve been avoiding commitment so that makes it difficult for me to follow through on. I’m curious about the item related to finding a new church. Do you have one now and it doesn’t fit any more? I’ve been feeling some restlessness in this area, too. Dancing or tai chi would both be winners. I do some tai chi with a home program and it is a terrific form of exercise. My husband and I took dance lessons and it was so fun!

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    1. Molly, Yes, a bit of analysis paralysis. And I do have some leanings on the list. The church is more because we moved over a year ago and I have not identified a new one close by yet… there are 2 leads if I stay with the denomination we’ve always been (Catholic) and lots more if I open that up. I’m with you about book club and commitment…it’s why that has been on my to-do list since I retired. I do think a couple might be experimentation (like a single dance lesson to explore that…and it would be me alone – hubby is not at all interested). It’s so fun to hear people’s perspective on this!!

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  20. Oh oh …. not sure where you live but my book club is meeting THIS Thursday at Trinity Lutheran in Mount Healthy to discuss David Pepper’s political thriller The People’s House ….. and David is coming to participate in the discussion!!!! It would be an opportunity to hear about his experience getting a book published. Plus it’s a great book if you like thrillers like John Grisham.

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    1. Wow… you have David Pepper coming to your book club – how cool is that! I’ll need to put his book on my to-be-read list. I’m not super fond of political thrillers but I have read some. My book publication experience is via small press self-publishing – I think I’m in a different camp than David Pepper. 🙂

      How often does your book club meet and is it always in the Mt Healthy area? I live in Norwood.

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      1. Argh, sorry, I forgot my website is tied to an email that I don’t check often. We usually meet in the Mt Healthy area at various homes and met on odd months. One book every two months is more my pace. Most live in the College Hill to Green Hills to Fairfield to Colerain Township area. It is the book club of my church – Trinity Lutheran Mount Healthy. (FYI May’s book is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society and July’s is A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza)

        Pepper’s first book was also published direct to Amazon and not through a main publisher. He got turned down by agents like crazy, even an old college classmate that told him there was no hope. Because it did well and got good reviews he has now been picked up by Penguin. David is the second local author that I’ve heard that went the self publish for the first book. Seems you have to demonstrate an audience before the big houses will sign you.

        Yes it was so cool!!! I can’t believe he stayed for 90 minutes talking about writing and rewriting the book (he started in 2011 and published in 2016 after many rewrites). We found out he only picked a Russian villain was because he lived in St. Petersburg in the mid 90s and actually had several meetings with the then vice mayor – Putin. What wonderful advice that applies to life – LISTEN – even when it was criticism; what was it and learn from it. The book is fantastic and scares the crap out of you on how easy it is for a foreign government to influence our elections as well as Brexit, etc.

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      2. I don’t think a Mt Healthy location is close enough to make a book club an easy thing for me to join (I know, it’s only about 12 miles, but I know myself). I’ve heard of the Guernsey book before and will add to my “to read” pile.

        How interesting about Pepper’s book. I just could not handle the rejection letters so went straight to self-publishing! Since mine is non-fiction, I’m not sure another one is coming too soon. But it’s out there (see my next blog post which will have link!).

        BTW, my hubby grew up in Mt Healthy! How long have you been there?

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  21. Hi Pat you have 19 great ideas here. I would agree that #6 is a priority but I also would select #9 as I love to travel. I definitely need to organise my family photos and perhaps tai chi would be good to try. So many ideas to choose from! Congratulations on your book and yes maybe starting on your next one will be your big project! Have a great week. xx

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    1. Sue, I think the problem is too many ideas – a bit of analysis paralysis. And I do have some leanings myself, which will be taken into account on the final choices. It’s fun to see what others think though – both for them and for me!

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  22. I hate to say it, but as a logician, #6 looks good to me. Strike while the iron is hot, as they say. I would also vote for more cooking, but that’s purely because I love to cook and eat! Ha ha. Maybe the fact that I’m 6’2” and 260 pounds is a clue. 😂 In fact, there is a batch of kielbasa marinating in the fridge tonight waiting to be ground and stuffed tomorrow.

    I would say maybe take a break from book-writing right now, just to recharge and regain motivation unless you are really charged up and loaded with ideas for your next book and you can’t wait to put them into words.

    I have done and will continue to do the local mini-adventures, so that’s a good one.

    I used to play chess incessantly in high school, so I’ve already go that one completed.

    I would probably enjoy the learning how to sketch/draw and the independent study. I already have a course on sacred music that I really need to tackle.

    I am always adding to my possibilities (Someday/Maybe) list. In fact, if a day goes by when I don’t add something, I feel a little odd.

    In the last few days, I have added building my own router lift, building a table saw taper jig and building a band saw lumber mill jig. Yes, these are all wood-shop related, but they are all things that are new to me.

    You really can’t go wrong since you are interested in all 19 items. Go for it!

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    1. Bob, Of course I’m keeping a tally of folks responses – from here and on FB. So it will influence my final decisions. I do have a couple of favorites that might get on the final list even if no votes…cause I have that power! Cooking more is definitely one of those… probably why it was first on the list even. Maybe not to your level of smoking/sou-veing (is that even a term) but finding some new recipes and having some fun.

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