Time is elusive. And apparently my 20s are wrapping up sooner than I imagined they would! I have about 2.5 years left before I hit the big 3-0, and that has me thinking about 8 year-old Mary. Where did she envision herself? Have I made her proud?
The answer is no.
Lucky for me, I still have time to turn things around! If you are like me, with the next decade looming, you may find this exercise cathartic. I know I did! Here’s my self-loving list of 30 things I want to do, see, and try before I reach 30.
Take a cooking class
Cooking for a crowd is something I’m still semi-new at. I hosted a Friendsgiving last year, and minus a minor fire alarm incident (whoops…), it was a fun time! I’d love to learn how to make something more complex, with ingredients I’m unfamiliar with. A cooking class sounds like a fun way to learn!
Earn my Scuba Diving Certification
This is something that scares me. I love water and I love the ocean. But I love it in a sort of blissfully unaware type of way. There are some big, scary fish I don’t know I want to see. But I do LOVE to snorkel, and I think it would be amazing to explore more of that big blue world.
Go on a Zip Lining Adventure
Another scary thing. A fun thing sure, but heights are a little freaky to me. Do more, fear less though…right? It’s an adventure, and I’m all about adventures.
Girl’s Weekend in Vegas
The last time I was in Vegas I was 17 and with my parents. I don’t need to gamble or anything, but a classic rooftop party with my girls sounds pretty darn fantastic.
Write More
When I was 5 years old, my mother gave me a diary for my birthday. It had a lock and a key, and for years I wrote my deepest secrets from crushes on boys to getting in trouble with a life guard at the YMCA. A diary is something I’ve kept for years, but I kind of stopped when I was in my 20s. Why? Mostly time, I suppose. But now I am dedicated to 1x per week to write my latest and greatest in a diary. Yes, crushes will still be written about.
European Vacation
This is what I’d call a “big ticket item”, but I also feel it’s a bit of a rite of passage into your 30s to have made it to Europe at least once. I’d love to visit London and do all of the touristy things (think Mary-Kate and Ashley “Winning London” type of a vibe). The London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Shakespeare’s Globe…and I think I want to do it alone!
Fly First Class
This is a little boujee of me (as the kids would say), but it’s an experience I’d like to have. If no more than one time.
Take a Summer Road Trip
My summers usually fill up quickly. From weekend-long celebrations (like Twin Cities Pride) to weekends at the cabin, to teaching dance during the week on top of working my office job, I rarely take time for myself. A road trip with friends is something I’ve done, but I’d like to go farther and stay longer than a day or two. #Goals.
Tour a Winery in Napa
Wine tasting? Sunshine? Uhmmm yes please. Next question.
Play the Piano More
When I was a teen, I loved messing around on the piano and covering popular songs. It relaxed me. If I felt brave, I’d sing a couple notes. The catharsis was fabulous. This is just one of those hobbies I want to pick back up!
Take Myself on a Fancy AF Date
I’m not talking about a shopping spree and Panera to-go. No, I’m talking about taking myself out somewhere where jeans and a tshirt won’t get you in and seeing a show or a concert. As a single gal, this type of self-love is so important. Treat yo’self!
Meet with a Financial Advisor
I’m a grown woman. I’m making money. I need to learn about how to manage my money, where to invest, and what sorts of products I should be purchasing now. Let’s be wise, ladies!
Hike in Yosemite
I love National Parks. I love to hike. I could probably count the number of times I’ve been to California on one hand. It just seems soooo far away! But Yosemite is one of those bucket list National Parks that I think I could enjoy for a long weekend.
Host More Dinner Parties
Cooking is fun. Cooking for friends is better! I enjoy hosting people at my apartment for game nights with food, and it’s something I’d like to do more of. Looking for fun recipes? Check out my Pinterest for tons of ideas for everything from miscellaneous events to holiday-themed parties!
Visit Canada…Literally. Any Part of Canada WILL DO. (But Banff sounds amazing)
I live in Minnesota. Canada is just a few hours away. I just need to make the time and do it for the stamp! Banff is a dream trip, and not totally intangible. But if I can cross the border, I’ll consider this one done!
Become FLUENT in Spanish
Truth tea: I am Colombian. But I’m adopted, so English was my first language. Whenever I visit Colombia or am in a Colombian restaurant (like Las Delicias de la Abuelita in Duluth, GA) the looks I get range from confused to disappointed. Call it an insecurity, but as a Colombian woman, I want to be able to speak Spanish fluently. Busting out that Duolingo!
Join a Blogging Collaborative
This one is DONE! As of yesterday, I am now a part of the Minneapolis Bloggers chapter of the larger Blogger Union, AND the Twin Cities Collective.
Explore my Backyard More
Minnesota is a BEAUTIFUL state. After my trip to Lutsen, I realized we have some beautiful places here in my state that I haven’t explored. I’d love to make it up to Grand Marais after talking to a new blogging buddy of mine, Lizanne Lately. Check out her site for more Minnesota adventures!
Get Back in Shape
Another insecurity of mine. I’ve never been the “skinny girl”, but when I was younger I danced upwards of 18 – 20 hours per week and was in amazing shape. As my body has aged, that sort of movement isn’t feasible anymore.
I still teach dance, and I love it! But I also love nachos. What’s a girl to do? My 10-year class reunion is next year (gulp) and I have some body image goals. Completely unrelated to a number on a scale, I’d like to lower my BMI and go through an overall slim down. As of this week I’m on a new nutritional plan and a gym regimen to reintroduce my body to longer cardio sessions and weight training.
Attend a Private Concert
Intimate setting, no sweaty teenager swarms, and music. What could be better? I honestly don’t know.
Fall in Love or Something Like That
I can count the number of times I’ve been in love on two fingers. As empowered as I feel traveling and exploring solo, I’m getting to that age where I’d like to find my “person”. Now, I understand love is not something I can plan for. In swoops the second part of this goal – “something like that.”
Feeling worthy of love, setting standards for the type of people I date, and putting myself out there with an open heart to love and be loved. That’s what I want. If I fall in love, great. If not, that’s okay! I just want to become more confident in the idea.
Learn to Sail
I love being out on the water! I look for any excuse I can to get out there an enjoy some quality time with nature. Never have I ever sailed before, but I’d love to learn! There are plenty of charters here in Minnesota…rest-assured you’ll be hearing from me when I do it.
Make Amends with the Mistakes of my 20s
You are meant to make mistakes in your twenties, and boy oh boy, did I ever. As a part of my healing process, I’ve reached out to people I know I’ve hurt and come to a place where we can be okay. I’ve forgiven myself for the things I’ve done that I’m not proud of. That’s a really hard pill to swallow, but the reward is absolutely worth every knot in your stomach. Trust me.
Write a Song
For nobody except myself, I’d love to write a song with music and lyrics that reflect me saying goodbye to my deepest insecurities.
Go Stargazing in the Grand Canyon
Fun fact: I LOVE the sky. I think it’s magical. The Grand Canyon was recently named an International Dark Sky Park, which means it has a “distinguished quality of starry nights” according to CNN. With a low amount of light pollution, I can’t think of a better place to go stargazing.
Take a Glamping Trip
This could coincide with the previous goal. I want to Glamp. Call me a Millennial, it’s fine. I think Glamping would be a great way to meet people while traveling. Think adult summer camp vibes.
Get Life Advice…and Take It
I find myself giving life advice to my dance students that I heard when I was their age but never took. They’re words and warnings I wish I had taken a better note of. As I move into my next phase of life, I’d like to listen and apply advice I receive from my mentors: My parents, my grandparents, my colleagues, and religious leaders.
Sponsor a Child in a Foreign Country
As a foreign adoptee, I think this would be something that would be very fulfilling to me. If anyone has any recommendations, feel free to email me by clicking the “Contact” menu and filling out the form! I’d love to hear from you!
Make Self Care a Top Priority
Mental health, physical health, getting enough sleep, these are things that I have pushed to the wayside because I’m “too busy”. That stops now. It’s the age-old phrase about taking care of yourself before you can take care of others. That’s one of those life advice items I need to take!
Book an African Safari
This is a dream vacation of mine, and it’s expensive. I took an African Culture class as a kid where we wrote books, did art projects, listened to music, and even had a classmate who was from Tanzania tell us stories of her home. Africa is one of those places that I just feel my soul is tied to, and I’d love to visit and explore some of its beautiful sights.
Do any of these resonate with you? Have you made a list of your own? Comment below!
