In September of 2014, I had a couple weeks where I spent a lot of time reflecting upon my life and how I've chosen to live it. I've done a lot of really great things with my life so far--I've:
- seen a Broadway play on Broadway (Book of Mormon)
- been to Europe
- learned to cook something fancy (Cannele de Bordeaux)
- faced a fear (heights, so I went skydiving)
- dated someone who isn't my type
- went to a 3 Michelin star rated restaurant (Le Bernadin)
- been in the live audience during the taping of a show (Colbert Report)
- climbed the Eiffel Tower (as far as they'd let us--700ish steps to the second floor)
- hugged a celebrity (Dave Chapelle)
- started a retirement fund
- went to a music festival (a few, actually)
- gone on a trip with friends
- ...among many other things!
Considering that one of my strengths is actually doing what I set out to do, I decided to make a list of 30 things to do before I turn 30 sometime last year. I don't like spending much time "wishing" I can do things when there's really nothing stopping me from doing anything that's important to me. I debated actually sharing my list since there are some things that feel personal to me, but maybe sharing my list will encourage others to make their own lists of things they want to accomplish. Sure, if I don't finish everything on my list, it's not the end of the world, but it's going to feel great if I'm close!
30 Things to Do Before I Turn 30
1. Visit my grandmother - scheduled...Hong Kong here I come!
2. Rekindle an old friendship - done
3. Get rid of 30 things in 30 days - done
4. Take more photos - done
5. Buy myself flowers - done
6. Pay a bill for a complete stranger - done-ish (I can do better)
7. Learn a new language - done
8. Make new friends - done
9. Travel with someone special - done
10. Visit friends regardless of where they are in the world - done
11. Make it a priority to volunteer - done
12. Hug more - done
13. Take a day off work to be in nature - done
14. Get a Vitamix - done
15. Learn a rap song from start to finish (and make it your go-to karaoke jam) - done
16. Go to Vegas, Ibiza, or Carnaval
17. Go without Facebook for a month (if not longer) - done
18. Be open and ready to fall in love - close enough
19. Take a trip to Vancouver BC - scheduled
20. Make time capsules with friends - scheduled
21. Go berry picking - done
22. Go to an NFL game - scheduled
23. Go backpacking - scheduled
24. Try a sensory deprivation tank - done
25. Watch Star Wars
26. Run a 5K (without b*tching about it) - done
27. Write a love letter to a stranger (moreloveletters.com)
28. Do a headstand
29. Go geocaching
30. Make a list of 40 things to do before turning 40
Yep, it's one hell of a list, but I'm determined to do as much of it as possible. You would think three months would be plenty of time, but you would be wrong. You see, I have lots of regular life to live, too, so in reality, I'm cramming a lot into a very short amount of time. (But really, what's new?)
With each decade, I will keep challenging myself with these lists. Therefore, I need your help. I have to come up with 40 things to do before I turn 40. What should I add? Here's my preliminary list:
1. Visit the Southern Hemisphere
2. Go hot air ballooning
3. Hold a koala
4. Visit the Taj Mahal
5. Attend/participate in Burning Man
6. Scuba dive
7. Go zip lining
8. Drive the Alcan
9. Go to a drive-in movie
10. Learn to play golf
11. Become a mentor
12. Raise lion cubs in Africa
13. Take a fancy cooking class
14. Join Toastmasters
15. Grow my own vegetables
16. Visit/live in another country for over a month
17. Learn to be a better swimmer
18. Learn how to fly fish/go fishing
19. Skinny dip in the ocean
20. Buy a homeless person lunch
21. Go paragliding/parasailing/hangliding
22. Start your own business
23. Rent a fancy sports car
24. Be an extra on a TV show or movie for a day
25. Try an escape room
26. Floss every day for 365 days straight
27. Plan a date to watch the sunrise
28. Decide whether or not you want kids
29. Teach a course in HR
30. Order every item on the menu at a restaurant
31. Learn enough Spanish to have a conversation
32. Try stand-up paddleboarding
33. Float in the Dead Sea
34. Dance in the rain and jump in puddles
35. Do the splits?
36. Be in the audience of The Price is Right?
37. Visit all seven continents
38. Volunteer in a foreign country
39. Max out your 401(k)
40. Make a list of 50 things to do before you turn 50
I appreciate your help with this--I'm very excited for the next decade of my life, and hope that some of you will not only join me in my journey of crossing things off my list, but will make your own as well.