Say what?

Today is not only my second blogoversary. It’s also the first anniversary of Tilly Bud’s and my 101 tasks in 1001 days challenge.

To celebrate the incredible occasion we both have various posts going up on our blogs today.

We picked five questions, which we’ve both decided to answer giving two different perspectives on the challenge so far. You can read Tilly’s here.

What did you expect of the challenge at the start?

I was very excited when I first started typing up my list! Full of anticipation. I felt the need, at that point in my life, to really make time to do at least some of the things I really wanted to do.

However, when I talked to my family, they didn’t really get it. They encouraged me, because it was something that I wanted to do. But they didn’t actually understand why it was so important to me. Despite having Tilly’s support, and some of the tasks involving my family, I did expect it to be quite a solitary thing to do. As a mum of four this was the first time in a very long time I’d actually broken out and said I specifically wanted to do something for me. I think that made me feel a little uncertain. Some of the tasks I put on the list were or are dreams. So I didn’t know, even with them being on the list, if I could make them become a reality. I just knew that I wanted to try. Two examples of that would be the spa and the Murder Mystery Dinner. I’ve completed both challenges and I thoroughly enjoyed them.

How do you think you’ve done?

Despite my statistical analysis, I think I’ve done really well. The list I’ve set myself is quite demanding, but I’m the kind of person who needs a challenge to rise to. I found that cupboard and since then I’ve definitely felt I’m on the right track. 😀

Anything you would change?

Yes. If I do it again (and I might well do) I would definitely use the countdown clock on my page. I have already changed a couple of tasks – ‘the gym’ – I cancelled my membership due to not finding the time for it to be worthwhile and then feeling guilty about not being able to go. I also upped the ‘try new restaurants’ because I finished it really quickly and wanted to visit more.

The one task I haven’t changed that I suspect isn’t possible is the hits target. I don’t want to lower it, but I think I was too ambitious with that task.

When I first started I began several tasks simultaneously and the result is, I haven’t come very far in any of them! I think I was too excited!! Next time I think I would try a more focused approach. Though maybe that wouldn’t work with me anyway as I’m quite an excitable person!

I would also completely change the format, it looks nice on the page, when it works, but I keep fighting with the HTML. If I don’t update in HTML it changes all the numbers to letters and results in a lot of cursing!!!

What has been your favourite task so far?

That’s a really difficult question as I’ve enjoyed so many. I think I value most the date once a month I have made time for with my husband. We hadn’t made time for each other before and it’s made a difference. I’ve particularly enjoyed the family activities like the boat trip on the Danube and going to the falconry display. And watching films now has more worth and I don’t feel like such a couch potato.

I can’t call it. My two favourites have to be the Murder Mystery Dinner and the spa weekend with Lori. Both were amazing!!

Oh no. But what about the live Wild West Show? That, too, was fantastic!

I can tell you my most disappointing one easily, though: trying archery. Oh my God was I crap!! Really!! It was embarrassing!!

I have a clear favourite from Tilly’s list: Have a go on every item in the new children’s play area in Gorsey Bank Park. Fantastic!

Has anything unexpected come out of the challenge?

Yes!!

Firstly, it has not been a solitary journey at all. My family and even friends have actively got involved. We had a hilarious Eurovision party. My husband had flowers delivered to me. And it’s a revisited topic of conversation between my friends and I.
My husband actively looks at the list for ideas at the weekends. The kids love it and have requested personal tasks which include them. It’s become a family thing and I’m very happy with that.

Then there’s been the support from the blogging community. Some of my readers specifically follow me because of the challenge.

I really hadn’t anticipated how interested readers would be. My 101 page gets even more hits than my about page!!

Finally, there are the other 101ers. When Tilly and I first started, we had the idea of asking others to join us. I had no idea how successful that would be. There are 37 of us already and our community is still growing!!

*Animation by Lori and Reini – thanks. 😉