I was inspired to prepare this piece based on a post called “Confessions: Things I’ve Never Done” from Andrea of Living on Cloud Nine. We share so many “nevers” in common, for a portion of this post I kept her “nevers” and added my commentary. I’ll throw a few more original-to-me ones on at the end.
Seen an episode of The Bachelor (Andrea’s)
Funny/quirky that this was on Andrea’s list but …. I haven’t either!
Yes, I’ve been swimming underwater.
Been on a Jet Ski or Water Skis (Andrea’s)
No to the jet ski, yes to the water skis. I have vivid memories of the friends who taught me to ski — I failed many times before finally staying up, and remember so clearly the key to success: staying “down” in a seated position longer than expected — until we were making progress — and then standing up. Not standing up prematurely before the boat had sufficiently pulled me into position. Kind of a great metaphor for life too.
I need to cook Andrea some brussels sprouts (a fave!). I can check all of these off my list.
(From Paula) I am never going to be able to escape Cal Newport (I wrote about his positive impact on my thoughts about attention span here and here, and my disagreement with his anti-social media stance here.) He impacted one of Andrea’s “never” answers (see below).
Me either! How is that?!
Nor have I . Andrea says it’s not for her at all, but I would love to go on a cruise.
Yes! I’ve been to the circus! While I’m glad so many measures have been taken to protect mistreated animals, I’m still a circus fan, especially the Florida State University Flying High Circus.
It wasn’t a BIG part of my children’s childhoods but yes, they’ve been. Tenley loved it so much she went to work there (for a few months as part of the Disney College Program). This picture is from our visit to her while she was in the program.
Worn False Eyelashes (Andrea’s)
Nope. I haven’t either and don’t foresee a time when I will.
Now that I’ve worked through Andrea’s list, here are a few of my own:
I have always admired the winners of the Omicron Delta Kappa Grads Made Good award at FSU, such as author Diane Roberts, retired astronaut Winston Scott, and Sister Michelle Carroll. It feels funny writing this because I could frame it as “I’m only 52 — that may be midlife but by golly I’m going to go out and write that book, create that world-changing social media campaign, or achieve that transcendent feat that earns me a nomination” but I just don’t see it happening (I probably also have dug my political grave in a few ways with the kind of people who make the Grads Made Good decisions, even if I solved World Hunger tomorrow.)
- Never became a doctor
- Never became fully Spanish/English bilingual (yet!)
- Never binge-watched anything streaming (yet)
- Never jumped out of an airplane (never will)
How about you? What’s on your “I never have” list?
Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
Wow, Paula! Thanks for the shout-out to No Regrets Tattoos for their Semicolon Project fundraiser for NAMI Tallahassee! And what a fun piece – although I can’t believe you’ve never been inside Costco. Want to me there for a tour?
Happy to have a place to share the No Regrets fundraiser info. If I’m in town, my Sharpie and will drop by! And yes on Costco!
It’s a hoot on things some of us do and don’t.
Right? I guess these differences are what makes the world go around!
Ha! Made me really think about the things I haven’t done! Made me smile. I never thought I would get a tattoo either, but being a huge Bono fan when I met him I had him sign my arm and I promptly went and got it tattood! Best thing I ever did. And the craziest! No regrets
I totally understand that decision (even though I’m not a big tattoo person myself)! I had just seen your Twitter profile before I read your comment also, so I was like “OF COURSE!” 🙂
This is lots of fun. Never had a tattoo, but wrote a book about MiAMI INK, LOL. I drove a manual transmission for years, shop at Costco, been on a cruise and to Europe three times, no Bachelor for me. What would I really like to do that I have not? Publish a novel. Do a river cruise. Maybe travel to Africa or Asia. Great post.
Love your “want to’s”! Publish that novel! It’ll be great!
What a fun post!
I crossed off going international when I ventured one mile into the Canada! I still laugh at this. I don’t live very far away from the Washington/Canada border, so my international travel (with more details) becomes even less impressive. 🙂
Ha! I love it! Thx for stopping by.
What?! No costco?! Aww man you must! It’s wonderful haha. I am a sucker for that store. This was a fun post!
I can barely believe it myself! I really need to check this one off!
Paula- keep working on that Spanish! There will come a point when all the rules “click” and it’s easier to find the words you’re looking for. Don’t give up!
I will! Thanks! (Or Gracias!)
My father taught me to drive a stick shift when I was in high school. I’m still not great at it, due to sheer time spent (or not spent) working on the skill. I can, however, drive our Jeep when the mood strikes.
Ha! I’m jealous, Brooke! This. Is. On. My. List. To. Figure. Out.