Before 30 list (old and new)

Here’s my old “Before 30” list:

Become a published author Visit every continent Buy a house Married Baby plans Read 100 more books Making £30,000+ a year (make my salary match my age for once!) Go to Asia Graduate Study a language Have my own carEarn a living being creative Volunteer with animals Become a routine yogi Know a poem off by heart Grow and perfect a curly hair routine

Here’s my healthier and fairer “Before 30” list:

Write vigorously and passionately so I can take steps towards publishing my books Travel as far and as frequently as I can (Japan, Turkey, Greece, Cape Town, Cambodia…)Save money to spend on bigger things later (like house, car, travel) Be happily, gratefully, and wonderfully in love with my fiancé (experiencing new things and learning about each other every day)Make more money so I can do the things I want to do and support my family Make a house feel like our homeGet out more (be active, go outside, eat out, live!)Be more socialFind amazing books that I loveDiscover a long list of recipes and meals I enjoy making and eatingLearn healthier meal choices Feel good in my body and what it can do for meBe in nature are much as I canDiscover and own my personal style Ask for what I want and needMore confident in my choices, opinions, and beliefsKnow and love myself moreFeel creatively free and playfulFeel more confident about when/why/how to step into motherhoodBe less afraid of my own shadow and do the things I want to doContinue being a student of lifeNurture my natural hair and enjoy it

Sure, these things aren’t as quantifiable. It’s not simply a tick off situation. But that’s nicer. They’re wholesome. They’re still super important and act as intentions and focuses for a lifestyle rather than some goal to tick off and forget about due to passing some arbitrary stage/age in life.

Let’s be real, in the West we have made turning 30 into this massive ugly thing. It’s not. I’m sure anyone over 30 will tell you that life is still good. Perhaps better because you’re not fretting so much about your youth and doing everything you can. I think our 20s are actually quite horrible, as we find our feet. Maybe our 30s are when we ground down and know who we are. I for one am excited about that! Whether I “achieve” these things or not, working towards them will bring me a lot of joy up to and into my 30s.

Sincerely,

S. xx