32 Things Before 33: A Year of Doing More for Myself


I love a good checklist.

There is something about writing things down and slowly crossing them off that feels grounding. It turns big ideas into small steps. It turns dreams into plans.

In 2026, I decided to push myself to do more on my own, for myself. Taking Roxie along doesn’t count as being alone, though, because she’s my built-in adventure buddy.

This list started with a bigger dream.

For my 35th birthday, I want to travel on the Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Vancouver and finally explore the West Coast. I’ve dreamed about that trip for years, and instead of waiting until someday magically arrives, I decided to start building toward it now.

So before I turn 33, I made a list of 32 things I want to do. Some are small. Some are personal. Some are adventures. Some are practical steps toward the life I want to build.

None of them are about perfection.
They’re about living a little more intentionally.

Here’s my list.

32 Things Before 33

  1. Go on a solo coffee date at a cute local café.

  2. Take Roxie to the dog park.

  3. Hike Chamcook Mountain.

  4. Watch the sunrise and sunset on the same day.

  5. Take Roxie hiking somewhere new.

  6. Go stargazing.

  7. Buy a kayak.

  8. Paint pottery.

  9. Get a new tattoo.

  10. Visit three beaches I’ve never been to.

  11. Take a day trip to a small town I’ve never explored before.

  12. Finish my “new bedroom” project. I currently live at home with my mom and want to turn the basement into a small apartment space to make it more comfortable long-term.

  13. Spend 24 hours unplugged (camera allowed, but no phone scrolling).

  14. Go on a picnic.

  15. Visit a new waterfall.

  16. Go to the Kingston Farmers Market.

  17. Build a reading nook once the bedroom project is done.

  18. Train to run a 5K (maybe sign up for a Father’s Day run).

  19. Set up sinking funds for my finances.

  20. Set up automatic transfers for savings, spending, and bills.

  21. Create a list of skills I want to learn or improve between 33 and 34.

  22. Create a career and income growth plan.

  23. Build a $1,000 emergency fund.

  24. Start practicing piano.

  25. Try a new restaurant.

  26. Journal about the life I want to build.

  27. Write a letter to myself at 40.

  28. Declutter 33 items from my home.

  29. Go thrift shopping to decorate my apartment space.

  30. Take 10 photos in one day that capture what life looks like right now.

  31. Buy myself something off my wishlist for my birthday.

  32. End the year with a spa getaway to celebrate turning 33.

Why I Made This List

Some of these things are adventures.

Some of them are financial habits.

Some of them are quiet personal moments.

But together, they represent something bigger: building a life on purpose.

A life where I explore more.
A life where I take care of myself.
A life where I build financial stability and independence.

And hopefully, by the time I turn 35 and board that train to Vancouver, I’ll look back at lists like this and see how many small steps brought me there.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcome to Simply Dakota Marie 🤍

Image
 Hi, friend. I’m so glad you’re here. Simply Dakota Marie is a space created for slowing down, finding rhythm, and making everyday life feel a little more grounded and intentional. Think cozy mornings, honest conversations, practical encouragement, and gentle reminders that you’re allowed to build a life that feels good, not just looks good. Whether you found your way here looking for organization tips, faith-based encouragement, routines that actually work, or just a quiet corner of the internet that feels safe to exhale in, you belong here. What You’ll Find Here This blog is a reflection of real life. Not the highlight reel version, but the lived-in, coffee-stained, sometimes messy, always growing kind. Here, we’ll talk about things like: Creating simple rhythms for your home and your days Cleaning, organizing, and systems that support peace, not perfection Faith woven into everyday life in a gentle, practical way Self-care that goes deeper than bubble baths ...
Read more

12 Organization Products I Use in Real Homes (Not Just Pinterest Ones)

Image
  My Favourite Organization Products I Actually Use (and Recommend) If there’s one thing I’ve learned from cleaning and organizing real homes, it’s this: The right products don’t create perfection; they create ease. These are the organizational tools I use repeatedly. In my own home, in client homes, and in spaces where we want things to feel calmer, not complicated. None of these is about over-buying bins. They’re about making everyday life a little smoother. I’ll walk you through what I use, where I use it, and why it works . 1. Lazy Susans (the MVP of organizing) Set of 4, 10” Non-Skid Lazy Susan Organizers 👉 https://amzn.to/49aYe97 If I had to choose one organizing product forever, this might be it. I use these literally everywhere : Beside the stove for oils and regularly used spices Inside cupboards for spices (especially Costco-sized bottles and sprinkles) In the fridge for condiments, sauces, pickles On the bathroom counter for skincare and makeup Under the sink for clean...
Read more

Building the Shelves- Vol 1- The Gathering Place

Image
  The First Books Have Been Ordered There’s something quietly holy about a beginning. Today, I ordered the very first books for The Gathering Place . No shelves yet. No storefront. Just a checkout confirmation and a heart full of gratitude. But still, this moment matters. For a long time, this idea lived only in notebooks, whispered prayers, and late-night “what ifs.” A place for gentle stories. Truthful. Deep without being harsh. Books that invite you to sit, not perform. To think, not escape yourself. To rest, not rush. And now, the first pages are officially on their way. Why These Books The Gathering Place was never meant to be a loud bookstore. It isn’t about trends or shock value or chasing whatever sells fastest. It’s about stories that shape us slowly . Books that feel like a warm chair by the window. The kind you underline. The kind you come back to years later and find new meaning waiting for you. Some are faith-rooted. Some are devotional. Some are practical. Som...
Read more