The Experience Maven
Life is about experiences – some everyday things & some unique once in a lifetime opportunities
the simple experience of a hot shower
I started 2022 trying to really find my purpose. I was trying to find the answers to those nagging pondering questions of “what am I here for?” “what is the purpose of my life?” and “how can I give back to others to make a difference?”
Little did I realize that when I began this quest it would lead me to recognize it was more simplistic than I realized. That the answer that I was seeking was something that I already had right in front of me the entire time. I just had to have a wake up call to recognize it.
This simple answer came after a devasting loss of a dear college friend. Sarah lost her life way too young to colon cancer, leaving behind an adoring husband and a daughter who was about to graduate from high school. I was so blessed to visit with her on one of the final days of her life, and I cried all the way home just reflecting on what an impact she had had on my life. I was reminded of how much she enjoyed the simple things of life – family, friends and her faith – and how she was full of life in the way she lived her life through her experiences. I came home and took a hot shower mentality drained …and as I stood there enjoying the experience of a hot shower…it was in that moment it occurred to me that THAT was it…THIS WAS LIVING …enjoying every simple experience of every single moment. This was what was different between Sarah and I, she was never going to be able to experience a hot shower again and up until that moment I am sure that I took a hot shower for granted. So, I stood there for a long time reveling in not only the realization of finding “the” answer I was seeking but actually savoring the experience of every single drop of that hot shower.
365 ways to experience life
Follow the journey on how to experience life with 365 ways that I enjoyed mine – some simple, some unique, and some that I didn’t expect
“The greatest joy is found when you let each day seize you.” – Caity Neuberger
I decided last year to live my life with a new sense of purpose. I wanted to seek out a simple everyday experiences. To stop and be mindful of the things that I might have previously overlooked.
So I began jotting down an experience every day, little did I know when I started on this adventure what experiences were really in store for me including the bumps along the way.
Follow my journey over the next year as I share these experiences with you over Instagram and Facebook.
Hopefully you can enjoy the ride and from this gain your own opportunities to be mindful of your everyday magical experiences too. That regardless of your financial or social situation that you can recognize joy, love and a fulfilled life based on your own experiences. In fact, most of these do not cost anything for you to find for yourself.
What began as a simple journal entry allowed me to find the purpose of my life. I embrace the gift I have been given to experience this life. I experience every day magic in the simply joys of life, which in time weave together a pattern of warm memories, happy times, love of friends and family that ultimately create a canvas of a fulfilled life.
January – the excitement of the start of a new year
I love filling out all the special dates for the upcoming year….all the plans already made…but then appreciating all the blank spaces of experiences awaiting to be added.
For me, January is about getting started on the right foot for the new year. Starting on the goals for the new year and trying not to break the chain.
I started the chain on January 1 to post my daily items on both Instagram and Facebook. My intention is that after each week I will add them to this list for those who are following the blog.
- Day 1: Set a goal for the new year – start the chain. Apply the Jerry Seinfeld productivity hack where you don’t break the chain.
- Day 2: Go on a nature walk – observe things you might have overlooked.
- Day 3: Make a mistake…learn from it and then give yourself grace to move on.
- Day 4: Listen a podcast
- Day 5: Refresh your look
- Day 6: Relax…unwind…recharge
- Day 7: Have a indoor snowball fight
- Day 8: Read a daily devotional like Our Daily Bread
- Day 9: Hit the gym….consistently
- Day 10: Find a four leaf clover
- Day 11: Make a pot of homemade soup
- Day 12: Watch a period piece like Downton Abbey
- Day 13: Learn to play a new game.
- Day 14: Watch a youth basketball game
- Day 15: Learn about a virtue. Our family reads The Family Virtues Guide by Linda Popov
- Day 16: Order groceries online
- Day 17: Look up at the sky…sometimes the color is so intense you wish it could be a crayon color
- Day 18: Play Nerdle (nerdlegame.com)
- Day 19: Go to bed early
- Day 20: Plan a trip
- Day 21: Find joy in the mundane tasks of doing laundry
- Day 22: Listen to Joel Osteen
- Day 23: Listen to Spotify
- Day 24: Embrace winter weather attire
- Day 25: Call your dad…mom…or loved one
- Day 26: Check out a new coffee shop
- Day 27: Go sledding
- Day 28: Make snow cream
- Day 29: Keep a gratitude journal
- Day 30: Eat birthday cake
- Day 31: Play trash
February – the shortest month but the one with the most love
February is about love…sharing and receiving the love of those that mean the most to you. Ironically, the symbol of love is a heart. So it is rightly so, that this month is also about heart health.
For me February means recognizing the year is fully underway now and keeping focused on my goals, especially those related to a healthy lifestyle. It is about making my yearly physical appointment with my doctor to make sure I am monitoring my own personal health.
It is about having a dedicated day devoted to showing and telling my husband, kids and family how much I love them. It is about recognizing how much I love and appreciate my tribe of friends. Finally, it is about loving myself…which although at times is not necessarily instantaneous it is always easier to do knowing that I am uniquely made and loved by God.
- Day 32: Drive in silence
- Day 33: Take a bath with Epsom salt
- Day 34: Schedule and go to yearly physicals
- Day 35: Snuggles with my kids in the morning
- Day 36: Write in my journal
- Day 37: Listen to piano music during morning routine
- Day 38: Taco Tuesday
- Day 39: Accept a compliment
- Day 40: Look for American flags
- Day 41: Surf Facebook
- Day 42: Walk vs drive to your destination
- Day 43: Watch the Super Bowl
- Day 44: Listen to an autobiography
- Day 45: Said I love you
- Day 46: Go out to dinner with a friend
- Day 47: Work outside
- Day 48: Splurge on an interior decorator
- Day 49: Go bargain shopping
- Day 50: Travel to a new state
- Day 51: Go skiing
- Day 52: Warmed up with a cup of hot chocolate
- Day 53: Go snowmobiling
- Day 54: Go downtown Park City
- Day 55: Observe the beauty of the aspens
- Day 56: Visit the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympic Games Museum
- Day 57: Count my blessings
- Day 58: The simple joy of being at home
- Day 59: Drive through an old neighborhood & observe the architecture of the homes
March – the anticipation of the cherry blossoms
Each year in March the blooming of the cherry blossoms have a special and personal meaning to me. They are a reminder of unnoticed beauty…of blessings in God’s time…and the reminder that I am so privileged to embark on another year watching my daughter bloom.
- Day 60: Drive in the rain…in silence…having a peaceful experience
- Day 61: Laugh
- Day 62: Send a card to a distant relative
- Day 63: The look and smell of a clean house
- Day 64: Pray… and trusting his answer especially when it was “no” or “not yet”
- Day 65: Embrace Monday mornings
- Day 66: Wash dishes
- Day 67: Be in awe of the beauty of the cherry blossoms
- Day 68: Do a Sudoku puzzle
- Day 69: Order take out with friends and just hang out
- Day 70: Indulge…order the cheeseburger AND fries
- Day 71: Find a quote that makes goosebumps when read
- Day 72: Pay attention to the moon at night…in each phase
- Day 73: Wear a different pair of shoes
- Day 74: Listen to “decade music”
- Day 75: Fill out a NCAA bracket & then follow the journey
- Day 76: Look at toilet paper – realizing that most “crisis” are temporary
- Day 77: Wake up to the sweet sound of birds chirping
- Day 78: Read Bella Grace magazine
- Day 79: Present a new idea…and then take the necessary actions to make it a reality
- Day 80: Go to the dentist
- Day 81: Eat dinner in the mall food court
- Day 82: Have alone time
- Day 83: Get a variety of Crumbl Cookies and hen rate them
- Day 84: Make fresh ground coffee
- Day 85: Plan for the day…week…month
- Day 86: Look at old photos
- Day 87: Watch little league baseball games
- Day 88: Talks with my neighbor
- Day 89: Watching my son work hard on his class project…and watching him present it so confidently
- Day 90: Family movie nights…watching a kids movie on the couch together
April – the start of a journey
This month marks the beginning of my journaling of my daily experiences as a tribute to my friend Sarah’s life. Little did I know when I visited with her right before her passing, that my own dad would suffer a stroke a week later and be admitted to Duke ICU. Life presents us with unpredictable experiences along the way that define us.
- Day 91: Sign up for a challenge for a great cause
- Day 92: Put together a puzzle
- Day 93: Decorate for the seasons
- Day 94: Explore a new USA city…we went to Miami
- Day 95: Dress up and go to a 80’s costume party
- Day 96: Go on the Little Havana Food Tour
- Day 97: Rent a cabana for a secluded day on the beach
- Day 98: Dye Easter eggs
- Day 99: Celebrate Easter
- Day 100: Appreciate the beauty of the dogwood tree
- Day 101: Give away versus throw away
- Day 102: Try out a new recipe
- Day 103: Linger in the shower
- Day 104: Appreciate the beauty of spring blooming
- Day 105: Go walking on the trail with a friend
- Day 106: Mourn the loss of a friend
- Day 107: Shop with my sidekick
- Day 108: Went to a local playground to let my kids play & have a picnic dinner on a spring evening
- Day 109: Compost
- Day 110: Drink water
- Day 111: Go to the movies with my son to see a new release
- Day 112: Cherish every moment
- Day 113: Received a call that my dad was being airlifted to Duke ICU
- Day 114: Take care of a loved one
- Day 115: Go to a local bakery and buy various things to sample
- Day 116: Go on a bike ride…alone
- Day 117: Spurge on hockey playoff tickets
- Day 118: Take the backroads to a common destination
- Day 119: Go to a family reunion
- Day 120: Spend time with a loved one sharing stories
May – the loss of a loved one
This month was definitely unpredictable….I was trying to live as normally as possible while my dad was in ICU. Unfortunately, he developed a brain fluid infection that he just could not shake and passed away. Here is my journey as I balanced everyday life events and then the unique experience of losing a parent.
- Day 121: Take a walk before a rain storm
- Day 122: Stream watch a musical
- Day 123: Text with an old friend who moved away
- Day 124: Get dressed up during the week
- Day 125: Celebrate milestone birthdays, weddings, births with friends and family
- Day 126: Celebrate the day our journey began as husband and wife
- Day 127: Read the Bible
- Day 128: Listen to an audiobook
- Day 129: Embrace bedtime routines
- Day 130: Download and listen to a new album cover to cover
- Day 131: Pause to reflect on how fast life is going
- Day 132: Venture off the trail
- Day 133: Watch American Song Contest
- Day 134: Celebrate Mother’s Day
- Day 135: Plant flowers
- Day 136: Take a moment to observe & appreciate everything about a spring breeze
- Day 137: Read a book of essays
- Day 138: Go strawberry picking
- Day 139: Take an ice cream challenge
- Day 140: Find the right song for how you are feeling
- Day 141: Experience the loss of a parent
- Day 142: Cry
- Day 143: Write an obituary
- Day 144: Watch the series finale of This is Us
- Day 145: Share stories and memories with family & friends
- Day 146: Deliver a eulogy
- Day 147: Experience a God Wink with “Lemons on Fridays”
- Day 148: Sharing coffee with friends on the porch of our lake house in the morning
- Day 149: Support our troops
- Day 150: Play an online video game
- Day 151: Cheer for a little league All Stars Team
June – July – August – the joy of summer experiences
I love the unique attributes that make each season special. Being able to embrace the fleeting moments that when looked back upon made for “summer memories” is what is makes you want to pause and savor them even more.
- Day 152: Create a video tribute – finding the perfect songs and pictures to make a unique gift for someone
- Day 153 Savor the last days of making lunches for the school year
- Day 154: Watch a dance recital
- Day 155: Play a backyard game
- Day 156: See a bunny in the backyard
- Day 157: Experience a God Wink with red cardinals
- Day 158: Celebrate the end of the school year
- Day 159: Light a candle
- Day 160: Go watch Top Gun Maverick – big blockbuster hit of the summer
- Day 161: Watched a virtual high school graduation ceremony
- Day 162: Go to a small church in the country
- Day 163: Play corn hole
- Day 164: Go on a family bike ride
- Day 165: Watch Top Gun
- Day 166: Buy fresh meat from a local farmer
- Day 167: Watched the NBA Finals
- Day 168: Lake Days
- Day 169: Go kayaking
- Day 170: Go on a boat ride to watch the sunset from the water
- Day 171: Make s’mores by a fire
- Day 172: Introduced a new generation to the classic sitcom…Golden Girls
- Day 173: Play Golden Tee
- Day 174: Order individual pizzas and make them your own culinary masterpiece
- Day 175: Float in the lake with friends and family …refreshing, relaxing and always fun on a summer day
- Day 176: Teach someone how to play checkers
- Day 177: Go for a walk at dusk and marvel at the firefires
- Day 178: Play mini golf
- Day 179: Made a fresh fruit salad
- Day 180: Sit on my back porch
- Day 181: Listen to summer camp stories and songs
- Day 182: Went to a local farmer’s market and had fresh vegetables for dinner
- Day 183: Took a family vacation to Hawaii…was welcomed with fresh leis
- Day 184: Swim in a lagoon
- Day 185: Watch a sunset from the beach
- Day 186: Workout on the beach
- Day 187: Walk on the beach
- Day 188: Eat shaved ice
- Day 189: Go to a Hawaiian Luau
- Day 190: Look at the fish in a koi fish pond
- Day 191: Try Hawaiian coffee….flavored macadamia nut
- Day 192: Enjoyed Hawaiian fruit…including an acai bowl
- Day 193: Hiked in a rainforest to a beautiful waterfall
- Day 194: Went to Pearl Harbor
- Day 195: Ate lunch at Duke’s Waikiki on the beach
- Day 196: See a rainbow
- Day 197: Appreciate the beauty of the trees, plants, flowers and animals
- Day 198: Tried malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery
- Day 199: Go down a waterslide
- Day 200: Went to the overpass at Diamond Head…watched the surfers
- Day 201: Ate watermelon
- Day 202: Go to the pool on Friday night with friends…even better when there was live music
- Day 203: Found an obstacle course playground to play and compete on
- Day 204: Ate at a southern cuisine restaurant
- Day 205: Volunteer
- Day 206: Appreciate the experience of a summer thunderstorm
- Day 207: Enjoyed eating at a food truck
- Day 208: Tried a mason jar milkshake
- Day 209: Have a potluck street party
- Day 210: Have a shrimp boil
- Day 211: Have girl time
- Day 212: Enjoyed rolled ice cream on a hot summer night
- Day 213: Saw a turtle in my backyard & took it as a reminder to slow down
- Day 214: Family dinner time
- Day 215: Marvel at the summer beauty of the blooming Crape Myrtles
- Day 216: Made a fresh fruit smoothie
- Day 217: Go shopping at a boutique
- Day 218: Took the family to a church service at the church I grew up in
- Day 219: Tried a new salad recipe
- Day 220: Drive carpool
- Day 221: Received a sentimental gift
- Day 222: Cleaned out the frig and had a smorgasbord for dinner with leftovers
- Day 223: Watched a movie with friends that they were surprised I had never seen
- Day 224: Ate at a James Bearn Award winning restaurant
- Day 225: Visit family
- Day 226: Go to Disney World
- Day 227: Got to Animal Kingdom early and we were the only family on the ride
- Day 228: Animal Kingdom safari ride
- Day 229: The simple joy of a Mickey ice cream on a hot summer day
- Day 230: Riding the nostalgic classic rides and attractions
- Day 231: Was lucky enough to get into Gideon’s Bakery to try their famous chocolate chip cookies
- Day 232: Had a family picnic with Casey’s corn dogs in front of the Magic Kingdom Castle
- Day 233: Stumbled across a concert at Epcot…then realized it was Christopher Cross
- Day 234: Riding the Guardians of the Galaxy ride
- Day 235: Did a family selfie scavenger hunt …at each park
- Day 236: Disney magic…riding a ride 6 times in a row continuously
- Day 237: Ate fish and chips at a Irish pub
- Day 238: Went to Universal for the day – gates opening until gates closed
- Day 239: Go to summer concert…Jack Johnson
- Day 240: Volunteered at our local Food Bank
- Day 241: Began binge watching a TV series…Friends
- Day 242: Get a pedicure
- Day 243: Stopped to pay attention to the clouds
September….the calm before the storm
September is actually one of my favorite months….it is a time to stop and assess what has been accomplished so far for the year and what is left to do. Summer is winding down…school and schedules are coming back into focus. The anticipating of autumn is quickly becoming a reality with changing leaves, football and cooler weather. It is the calm before the rush of the remainder of the year transcends upon us.
- Day 244: Went back to my hometown and drove around to all the “spots” that reminded me of my childhood
- Day 245: Went tubing
- Day 246: Played Crazy Rummy
- Day 247: Relaxed in a hot tub
- Day 248: Took a early morning walk
- Day 249: Played uno
- Day 250: Go to an outdoor concert (part 2)…Goo Goo Dolls
- Day 251: Mourned the ending of Queen Elizabeth’s 70th year reign
- Day 252: Pool party at our neighbors with live music
- Day 253: Listen to my kids…ask questions
- Day 254: Supported local businesses…appreciate all they do to create and give back to the community
- Day 255: Went to an Mexican and tried something different
- Day 256: Took funny pictures using Snapchat filters
- Day 257: Attended a school board meeting
- Day 258: Enjoyed a cocktail with friends
- Day 259: Watched college football outside on a Saturday
- Day 260: Watched my alma mater on ESPN College Game Day
- Day 261: Made homemade macaroni and chesse
- Day 262: Consoled a crying child
- Day 263: Did a cytrogram
- Day 264: Made a craft
- Day 265: Pivot
- Day 266: Ate at a Food Hall
- Day 267: Took a Sunday afternoon nap
- Day 268: Read a book…a real book
- Day 269: Drink chai tea
- Day 270: Took out the trash…it stinks if you forget
- Day 271: Late night talks and walks with my husband
- Day 272: Celebrate unique national holidays
- Day 273: Enjoyed dinner at a farm to table restaurant
October – November – December
The final three months of the year seem to be centered around the major holidays at the end of each of these months – Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas and finally New Years Eve. It is such an exciting time of the year but seems to go by so fast that is definitely deserves time to pause and appreciate all the experiences that makes this so special.
- Day 274: Went to a minor league baseball game – even better when it ended with fireworks
- Day 275: The pure joy of the season’s first pumpkin latte
- Day 276: Delighted in seeing, smelling and feeling summer transition to fall
- Day 277: Bought lottery tickets
- Day 278: Read a self-help book
- Day 279: Ordered dessert
- Day 280: Went bowling
- Day 281: Enjoyed a stay at home hanging out in our pjs
- Day 282: Marveled at the beautiful intense colors of a autumn sunset
- Day 283: Surprise someone
- Day 284: Took a family walk
- Day 285: Watched a documentary
- Day 286: Pizza night
- Day 287: Bought mums and pumpkins to decorate the porch
- Day 288: Watched NFL Football game
- Day 289: Browse Pinterest
- Day 290: Received some good news
- Day 291: Got new gym shoes
- Day 292: Went on a hike at a local park
- Day 293: Took family pictures
- Day 294: Participated in a family scavenger hunt in downtown Raleigh
- Day 295: Make pumpkin bars
- Day 296: Went to a tapas restraurant
- Day 297: Tried a new shampoo and conditioner
- Day 298: Watched the Elvis movie
- Day 299: Got a flu shot
- Day 300: Watched a movie outside
- Day 301: Went a Halloween costume party
- Day 302: Carved pumpkins
- Day 303: Watched a Halloween movie
- Day 304: Went trick or treating
- Day 305: Start making a list for Christmas gift ideas
- Day 306: Gave away leftover candy
- Day 307: Went to the NC Moutains to see the fall leaves
- Day 308: Shared homemade apple and mixed berry fruit cobbler
- Day 309: Visited “the” Blowing Rock
- Day 310: Visited the NC Outerbanks for a weekend…
- Day 311: Tried Duck Donuts
- Day 312: Went to the Wright Brothers Memorial
- Day 313: Absolutely in awe of Jockey’s Ridge – a top spot of NC’s natural beauty
- Day 314: Went to a real fishing pier
- Day 315: Went to Bodie Lighthouse
- Day 316: Enjoyed the aroma and warmth of a mug of hot apple cider
- Day 317: Splurged with no regrets
- Day 318: The satisfaction of completing a task or lingering to-do list item
- Day 319: Bought seasonal soaps
- Day 320: Tried something new
- Day 321: Enjoyed an amazing dinner at a local fine dining restaurant
- Day 322: Decorated for Christmas
- Day 323: Received a bouquet of flowers
- Day 324: Wore pink … listed to a spouse share his story about his recent loss from the disease
- Day 325: Cleaned out the closet and made a donation to Goodwill
- Day 326: Baked my staple desserts for Thanksgiving
- Day 327: Celebrated Thanksgiving
- Day 328: Went on a Black Friday shopping spree
- Day 329: Fully embraced the simple aspects of daily life …even if it is mundane these are precious moments
- Day 330: Hold a baby
- Day 331: Made a Christmas Traditions countdown calendar
- Day 332: Went out of sushi
- Day 333: Got together with the neighbors to decorate our street
- Day 334: Got a massage
- Day 335: Went to the Wake Forest Christmas Tree Lighting
- Day 336: Listen to Christmas music
- Day 337: Made the kiddos color artwork for the children in the hospital during the holidays
- Day 338: Shop Etsy
- Day 339: Made dinner in the crockpot
- Day 340: First time experiencing going to sports card and memorabilia store
- Day 341: Ordered from Goldbelly
- Day 342: Old family recipes
- Day 343: Watched Christmas movie(s)
- Day 344: Send and receive Christmas cards
- Day 345: Family game night
- Day 346: Watched a reality show
- Day 347: Cookies with Santa
- Day 348: Thanked our Amazon driver
- Day 349: Watched a local performance of the Christmas Carol
- Day 350: Go see Christmas lights
- Day 351: Went to a Living Nativity
- Day 352: Peppermint Milkshakes
- Day 353: Took the kids on a Day Trip
- Day 354: Dirty Santa Party
- Day 355: Get Christmas manicures
- Day 356: Made gingerbread houses
- Day 357: Made Christmas cookies
- Day 358: Play Christmas games
- Day 359: Christmas
- Day 360: Outdoor ice skating
- Day 361: Got “the gift” on my wish list
- Day 362: Received the gift of a star
- Day 363: Peppermint cheesecake
- Day 364: Reflect back on the year
- Day 365: Rung in the new year
Thank you for all those that followed my journey. Regardless if you followed along daily or just once, I hope you gained an experience or two for yourself.
The overarching theme that weaves all these experiences together is that most were centered around family, friends, faith, travel, outdoors and personal development. These truly are what fulfills me and has become my purpose…to continue to make, recognize and always appreciate simple everyday experiences.
I am excited that I was able to share my experiences and I have loved hearing how my post have touched you. So again thank you for letting me know.
As it turns out little did I realize that I also learned a big lesson this year while working on these posts each day and that was that “moments make memories.” All of these experiences created the memories of 2022 – whether they were good or bad – and even though the bad times the sun always rose and there were new experiences yet to come.
I also fully recognize and appreciate what a fulfilled life I am blessed with and that although this was a memoir to 2022 we had some pretty amazing experiences in 2023 as well.
I will share our top 10 experiences of 2023 tomorrow.
Someone asked “what’s next? Will you be doing these in 2024?” The answer is “yes, but not daily…instead they will be once a week based on an experience from that week that speaks to my heart.” To me this is also what life is about…learning from the past but living in the present.