Ever tried to make a New Year’s resolution that failed? Ever wished you could do this and try that and go there – without any of the wishes ever coming true? Why do we spend more time dreaming than making dreams reality? Why do we speak of wishes “coming true” instead of “being made true”?

I wrote the above one year ago, but it stands true today. And today is another year down on my Day Zero challenge: to accomplish 101 things in 1001 days. I have learned how to make limoncello, trekked in Nepal, had picnics in various places, and finally got myself a new wristwatch (without purchasing one!). I did my best to go to the observatory for stargazing, but the winter weather was not having it and showed no stars behind the clouds from January to March. I also tried to go on a hot air balloon ride, but unfortunately the weather and my calendar never matched. Here’s to hoping for better luck in 2017.

Having a list is certainly not the only way to experience new things, but I hope I can inspire you to start realizing your dreams and goals instead of just dreaming of them. Here are mine marked as “done”, the second year in:

1. Ask 20 friends to suggest one book, and read them all
2. KonMari my apartment
3. Take classes in yoga philosophy
4. Photograph the sun from the equator
5. Go trekking in Nepal (Everest Base Camp trail until Namche Bazaar)
6. Influence a person to make a Day Zero list
7. Have a picnic on an island
8. Watch a meteor shower
9. Travel by train instead of flying (from Paris to Biarritz)
10. Install a sliding door to my bedroom
11. Tie a note to a balloon and let it go
12. Learn to make Limoncello
13. Throw a tea party for ladies only
14. Visit Riga again
15. Have a picnic on the beach
16. Get a new wristwatch (my uncle’s watch from his teens)
17. Visit a Buddhist monastery

+ about 17 goals in progress, including doing another annual detox, making sure I do an annual checkup at the dentist, and the hot balloon ride. (For year one, look here)

Another new year has arrived. How will you spend each of its days? Doing the same things you always do, or trying out the new things you always wanted to do?

(Helsinki, Finland; January 2017)