Every tenth episode is a “Very Special Episode,” and in this episode, Elizabeth and I give a mid-year report on how we’re doing. We introduced the idea of the “18 for 2018” in episodes 147 and 149, Elizabeth and I revealed our full lists. Then, because we were getting such an enthusiastic response, in episode 152, we did a deep dive into the subject. So…what progress have we made so far? 

Elizabeth:

1. Get the perfect black purse. 
2. Try a spin class.
3. Have a party for the mothers in Jack’s grade.
4. Plan a family trip to New York City.
5. For any day that I’m in my office on the Disney lot, aim to walk at least three miles on my treadmill desk. MIXED. 
6. Get a wall of photos up. ONGOING
7. Start my outdoor glassware collection.
8. Have a dinner party.
9. Refresh my Botox.
10. See my college friends. SEE #4.
11. Figure out Instagram Story. ONGOING.
12. Read Feminist Fight Club: A Survival Manual for a Sexist Workplace by Jessica Bennett.
13. Watch American Vandal on Netflix, as recommended on her niece’s/my daughter’s podcast, Eliza Starting at 16.
14. Take Jack to Disneyland at least twice. Because she works for Disney, she has free passes.
15. Host a Happier In Hollywood meet-up.
16. Go away for a romantic weekend with Adam.
17. Send out Christmas cards in 2018.
18. Get my fat frozen.

  My list is more checked off, but I must admit, my list is also easier.

1. Start having weekly adventures with Eleanor.
2. Fix my headset, runs out of battery really fast.
3. Set up a home studio in this closet for my Facebook show.
4. Work with Barnaby so he’s better at coming when I call him.
5. Clean out my massive tote bag collection. Each one is special.
6. Take Eleanor to get contacts checked. ONGOING
7. Start making consistent progress on “Report to the Committee on Exploration”. ONGOING
8. Create a work calendar for the year.
9. Finish My Color Pilgrimage and figure out what the heck to do with it; Outer Order, Inner Calm.
10. Tap more into my love of smell.
11. Plan perfume field trip with a friend. ONGOING
12. New phone for camera to improve the video quality of my weekly Facebook show, “Ask Gretchen Rubin Live“.
13. Figure out Instagram features and use it regularly. 
14. Decide on a cause to give to as a family.
15. Create the Four Tendencies workshop. ONGOING
16. Deal with the items we want to donate to Housing Works.
17. Create a list for listeners of the Try This at Homes and Happiness Hacks so far. ONGOING
18. Get current with making physical photo albums with Shutterfly.

Elizabeth’s Demerit: Elizabeth gives herself a demerit for not having completed more items on her list. 

Gretchen’s Gold Star: I give a gold star to Esther Perel’s podcast, Where Should We Begin?. It’s an unscripted, one-time, real-life session of couples’ counseling. Here’s the quotation I read, from Henri Frederic Amiel’s Journal:

Life is short, and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh, be swift to love, make haste to be kind!