This was a Thing I was asked to complete as part of the harp mentorship project I’m currently working on.

The aim was to do it quickly and not worry about it too much.

1. I paid all my bills on time
2. I ended a relationship when it wasn’t working for me (took three goes but still did it)
3. I played at 13 weddings and a funeral
4. All my clients were happy
5. I had at least 5 thank you emails from these clients
6. I refused at least 3 terribly paid orchestral gigs
7. I ran the Great Glen Way!! (72 miles in 20.5 hours!)
8. I survived Day 1 of the Great Lakeland 3 Day event in full on winter conditions in MAY
9. I bailed out of Day 2 because the conditions were just crazy and I wasn’t enjoying myself any more
10. My elderly pets are still going strong
11. My elderly granny is still going strong
12. I broke the budget a bit and bought a beautiful new computer that I’m typing this on
13. I did a solo open mic gig
14. I sang in public at the above open mic gig
15. I played my lever harp at the above open mic gig
16. People applauded and enjoyed the above open mic gig
17. I decided I really needed to get to grips with the harp thing and signed up for HYMM (Harness Your Muse Mastermind working with Deborah Henson-Conan)
18. I enjoyed writing my non-harp related blog
19. Someone I really admire wrote something nice about me on instagram the other night
20. My aunty and uncle are still here despite the cancer situation
21. My mum and dad have bought a beautiful new house that feels like it could be my forever home one day
22. In just a few more days, both my parents will be retired
23. Someone very dear to me called me when they were feeling sad and as a result they didn’t commit suicide
24. Someone called me when they thought they might have cancer and they couldn’t tell anyone else
25. One of my friends asked me to help organise her 40th birthday party
26. I am still here, healthy and mostly happy
27. I am in a better place with all things harp and I feel like I am finding the answers I needed to find
28. I got to listen to someone else playing my big harp last Sunday and it sounded amazing
29. I tried out a looper pedal and effects box for the first time
30. I shouted back at someone who had shouted at someone else in the middle of rush hour traffic for no reason
31. When I didn’t want to do something i said I’d do/pay for, I cancelled where previously I would have just sucked it up and been miserable about it
32. I played a harp gig in my house in my pyjamas
33. Someone I really respect but am a bit scared of said REALLY nice things about something i played at the above gig
34. Someone else I really respect asked me what I had played and said it was really beautiful and could I please tell them what it was
35. I had afternoon tea at a beautiful posh house in Edinburgh with a guy I REALLY liked and it was wonderful despite nothing ever happening with the guy
36. I unfollowed/blocked said guy on social media when I realised he was seeing someone else so I cannot contact him/feel sad/wonder what if
37. I was a good friend when people needed me
38. I have been a good daughter and sister and niece and aunty and granddaughter
39. I managed to get out on my motorbike just once for the first time in ages and I survived!
40. Someone whose writing I really admire commented on my blog
41. I skipped through bits of a book I had to read and that I wasn’t enjoying, rather than trying to read the whole lot
42. I managed some really big/long runs
43. I cleared a lot of debt
44. I still managed to do fun stuff despite clearing a lot of debt
45. I camped on my own for the first time
46. I put a tent up on my own for the first time
47. I lit a camping stove on my own for the first time
48. I went to Barra (Scottish island) in a really small plane
49. I landed on a beach – the only scheduled flight IN THE WORLD to do so
50. I nearly missed my flight home because I was playing on the other beach
51. The airport cafe had the most amazing cake ever
52. I realised I could afford to buy coffee each morning if I wanted it
53. I really enjoy having coffee in the mornings
54. I’m back in touch with some old school friends who I really liked
55. I finally climbed Ben A’an and had a great day with friends while doing so
56. I climbed a hill with my dad – our first ever that didn’t involve cycling. he had a really good day which made me really happy
57. I rang a couple of friends at times I needed them and they were there
58. The Fringe debacle really hurt but I made the best of it and moved on
59. While playing the harp one day, I wondered what would happen if I just didn’t worry about it so much any more, and at that point my left shoulder literally dropped about 6 inches
60. I spoke to my mum about some stuff that came out from The Big Leap book and she gave me some answers about why they (my parents) would talk down my achievements when I was a kid
61. I found a way to test drive this beautiful car I’ve been thinking of buying
62. I met a really lovely chap out in the hills who helped me talk about what was going on with my pets and how worried I was about them at that moment
63. I got a place for the BIG race in Switzerland next year
64. I read some amazing books
65. I met a guy I’ve had a bit of a crush on for AGES while I was out running and while I know nothing will happen it was still really nice
66. I started to make some plans for my long term future
67. I realised I am happy doing my day job at the moment and that the trade off of time is worth it for me for where I am right now
68.  I was offered another 12 month contract at my day job working for someone who is notoriously choosy about who she has in her team
69. My employer has been really supportive while I’ve been ill
70. My blisters have healed from the Great Glen Way although it has taken months
71. My toenails have mostly grown back
72. An old friend asked me for advice when she had a big scary decision to make
73. Another friend asked me for help when she was struggling in her relationship and she is in a much better place now
74. I put on a bit of weight which made me feel sad but I think it’s coming off again now and I feel better
75. My October gauntlet really shook everything up in some really good ways
76. I learned to be comfortable on video and had some great feedback on my project as a result of what i have been sharing
77. I am excited about the next stages of my project including building my show and starting to write down some of what has gone on in my harp career
78. I lost a friend but didn’t feel bad as I realised it was about her not me
79. I played at a repeat gig for some old people and got some unexpected relationship advice
80. At the above gig I got to stand back and watch as the sun shone and the old people enjoyed feeding the horses in the sun on the shore of the loch. There was all the time in the world despite all their mobility issues and they could just be.
81. I have been asked back to the above gig again next year
82. I played at a wedding just around the shore of the above loch and if ever I got married again I’d love it to be there
83. The resident harpist sent me a REALLY nice compliment from my covering his shift and playing background music at the smart Edinburgh hotel – someone had noticed my playing. Really noticed it. As in, had been listening to harpists for 25 years in that hotel and noticed my playing.
84. I got my Christmas tree up really early this year
85. I bought myself a stupidly expensive advent calendar and I am LOVING getting the treats each day. I feel (to quote that advert….) …. worth it.
86. I finally got another tattoo done on my back. It looks amazing and I’m delighted with it.
87. I admitted to myself that I was probably done with the harp again, at least for a while
88. I decided I might like to explore working in another country doing my day job but not until my pets/granny are gone
89. I stayed mostly in control of my money
90. I got my hair cut at last, but then realised I loved having it really long and am now growing it out again
91. I played for a funeral for a wonderful man, his family appreciated my efforts and someone asked what one of the pieces I’d played was – the one I had literally poured my heart and soul into playing
92. I shuffled some things around in my spare room and I now have a beautiful hideaway where I think I might be able to set my electric harp up permanently so its always out and ready for me to play
93. I have given this hideaway space a posh and pretentious French name but I have not told anyone what that is
94. I realised that I have a growing social life. 5 years ago, I didn’t have this and I am really grateful for what I have now, and mostly I am grateful for being brave enough to make the move to make this all happen
95. I watched a really inspiring film about running recently and it helped me to realise where the harp fits in (or does not fit in) to my life
96. I realised if I could only ever run 20 mile mountain routes in Scotland I’d be more than happy, although i enjoy challenging myself over longer bigger events
97. I confirmed to myself that I love performing for my own reasons
98. I realised that people respond really well to deep/meaningful/emotionally significant things I share whether at a gig/online etc
99. I realised that as I am getting older I am becoming more confident, less afraid and less tolerant of injustices to other people
100. Mostly I am just glad I’ve survived the year so far!