So, I turned 29 yesterday. I don’t know why, but I’m dreading turning the big three zero in a year. I think it’s mostly in part to the fact I had all these grand plans for my 20s, and while a lot have come to fruition, there are still many that I would like to accomplish. I know I’m being ridiculous. The majority of my friends have successfully celebrated their 29th birthdays and no one seemed to be making a big deal out of it except me, the late baby of the bunch. Still, I intend to use the next 365 days, before I turn 30, to the fullest.
I was keeping this list to myself, as I’ve never been one to get too personal on a public forum, but I decided to share it here in order to help keep me accountable. I plan to check in and provide an update 6 months in, which coincidentally is right at the new year – a perfect time for re-evaluating.
Coming up with this list was harder than I thought it would be. I started by reading several “30 before 30” lists that are all over the internet for inspiration. I figured I’d just steal a couple of points from here and there and use it as my own list. This proved to be a little more difficult than I thought, considering things like “get a passport”, “travel to Europe”, “go to Vegas”, “learn your family genealogy”, “see a Broadway show”, “ride a motorcycle”, “learn to cook” and stuff like that, I’ve already done. And then there is the stuff that just isn’t practical for my life like “buy a house” (ha! not in NYC) or things I have zero interest in like “be in Times Square on New Years Eve”. I would rather do almost ANYTHING on New Year’s Eve besides that including eating bananas on an ostrich farm. If you know me at all you’ll know how serious I am about that. And then there was the ever popular “run a marathon”. I leave all marathon running to Allix.
While the “30 before 30” list is not a unique idea, I’ve compiled my own list with stuff that’s really important to me and only me. So, in no particular order, here is the list of things I hope to accomplish in the next year.
1. Take a spontaneous weekend trip
I’m the queen of planning when it comes to trips. For once, I think it might be nice to decide on a Friday afternoon to take off somewhere for the weekend without a second thought.
2. Splurge on an item I can’t afford but will last for years
Thinking it’s finally time to purchase that pair of shoes, or designer bag I’ve had my eyes on for years now.
3. Spend time volunteering
I started volunteering with Make-A-Wish last fall, but between my day job, this website, and life in general, I haven’t been able to dedicate myself to it as much as I would like. I’d like to get more involved over this next year.
4. Go skiing
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to a large portion of the United States, as well as Europe, but believe it or not I’ve never been skiing.
5. Unplug for a full day
For one day, I’d love to wake up, turn off all of my devices, and go sit in Central Park with an actual book (not my Kindle or iPad) for the entire day.
6. Visit a state I’ve never been to
I think I’m down to only 15 or so states that I’ve never been to. This year I’d like to cross another one (at least) off my list.
7. Meet someone new
And by this I don’t necessarily mean romantically (although by no means am I opposed to that- Prince Harry are you listening?). Most of my close friends I’ve known for 20+ years. I’m not very good (or comfortable) with making new friends.
8. Live healthier
I do eat pretty healthy for the most part, save from the occasional black and white cookie, but I’d like to be more active. So, I’m challenging myself to take more walks and just get up and move more in general.
9. Read a classic book
You know those books you were assigned to read in high school but opted to just read the cliff’s notes instead? I’d like to go back and actually read one of them.
10. Watch a classic movie
I love movies, and have seen a lot, but there are a few (like Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, Annie Hall, to name a few) that I always hear people referencing that I have yet to see.
11. Learn to cook something new
I actually enjoy cooking, and am pretty good at it, but I tend to fall back to the same few things I always make. This year I’d like to challenge myself to make something completely new.
12. Study French
I took french in high school and in college but I’d like to at least become conversational with it. Time to brush off that Rosetta Stone I got for my birthday a few years ago.
13. Drink more water
I need to get better at this.
14. Pay off my credit cards
Luckily I do not have that much debt, but it would be really nice to turn 30…100% debt free.
15. Say “yes” more
I have a bad habit of instantly saying “no” in my head when asked of something. Or if I say “yes” I’m usually trying to figure out how to get out of it. This year I’d like to say “yes” more, and actually follow through.
16. Swim with dolphins
One of those things that has been on my bucket list that I’d love to do this year. Let’s make it happen!
17. Learn a rap song from start to finish
This is a silly one but I’m forever trying to sing along to rap songs making up half the words because I either don’t understand what they are saying or am just to lazy to figure it out. Finally learning one from start to finish would be a cool party trick.
18. Set up a “home”
Throughout my 20s my living situation has never felt permanent. I’ve always had the mentality that I’d live there for a year or two and then move on. Because of this, I’ve never really bothered to set up an environment that felt like a “home”. I’ve always told myself- what’s the point if you’re just going to move in a year? But now, I feel like I’m at a point where this needs to change. This one should actually be pretty easy (and the first of this list to be accomplished) as I’m literally moving today. Fresh start for a fresh new year.
19. Meet up with friends more
I know we’re all busy, but I’d like to make meeting up with friends a bigger priority this year. And for those long distance friends more skype dates!
20. Entertain friends
I love to entertain, and after today, finally have a living situation that is conducive to this.
21. Climb something
It doesn’t have to be Mt. Everest, but this year I’d like to climb to the peak of something (even a hill) and spend time at the top pausing to reflect and enjoying the view.
22. Go zip lining
I’m not adventurous enough to put “go sky diving” on my list but I’d love to give zip lining a go.
23. Take a class
There is so much opportunity in NYC. Perhaps aerial yoga? Or maybe a photography class?
24. Send more handwritten notes
I’m really bad at this. And who doesn’t love getting mail? This year I resolve to write more notes and send them via snail mail.
25. Call my family more
Now that I live thousands of miles away from my family I realize I took for granted how often I got to see them. I need to get better at calling to catch up.
26. Road trip
A fun road trip with friends needs to happen this year. Perhaps upstate New York in the fall?
27. Learn more about wine
As my brother has been completing his sommelier certification I’ve realized there is way more to know about wine than I ever thought possible. This year I want to be sure to pick his brain more and take advantage of his vast knowledge
28. Complete a 30 day challenge
Whether it’s Whole 30, or a photo a day, or something else entirely I’d like to complete a 30 day challenge this year.
29. Read at least 30 books
I used to read all the time. Growing up I would borrow 30 books from the library at once and read them all in a week. So, I’m challenging myself to read at least 30 books this year.
30. Realize that turning 30 may actually be the beginning….
Here’s to a fun, adventure filled, last year of my 20s!
Ashley xx
P.S. We’re over on Pink on the Cheek today sharing our Top 5 Things To Do in NYC. Hop over there to see what made the cut.