Friday, May 7, 2010

The 30 before I turn 30 project

(source)


On February 24th, 2o12, I will turn 30 years old. With this milestone looming above my head like a dark cloud, I've started to reflect on my accomplishments and life experiences thus far. As it stands currently, I have never left North America. Nor have I learned how to speak a foriegn language. And I always talk about wanting to take a letterpress class from The Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena. Despite wanting to accomplish numerous things that will take me outside of my comfort zone, it has always been nice and safe here in my little bubble. But I want bigger. And I want better. So the following is a list of things I wish to accomplish before the 3-0 arrives. I will carry it with me in a little notebook wherever I go. And I will document my progress on this blog. Of course, it is my goal to accomplish everything listed but even if I can do better than 50%, I will still have been successful. Because, it's not simply about ticking items off a list. It's about resolving to experience a more exciting and fulfilled life. I invite you to start a similar list, and we can embark on this journey together.

So with no further adieu, I present to you, The list!

1. Learn how to do a cartwheel.
2. Practice yoga and meditation 4 days a week for a month.
3. Learn how to use a letterpress machine.
4. Ride my bicycle to the beach.

5. Crochet a granny square afghan.
6. Make a new friend.
7. Visit a new museum every weekend, for a month.
8. Find a job that brings personal fulfillment, and pays the bills.

9. Design and sew a party dress, and wear it all day... just because!
10. Publish a short story.
11. Learn how to play a song on guitar. And perform it at an open mic night. (I sing hoooorribly, btw)
12. Write and snail mail 25 thank you cards.


(source)

13. Step foot on another continent.
14. Have a conversation with a stranger, in Spanish.
15. Volunteer 50 hours.
16. Get a new tattoo.
17. Take dance lessons.


(source)

18. Read 100 books.
19. Go wine tasting in Napa Valley.
20. Eat vegetarian for a month.




21. Sleep under the stars.
22. Enroll in grad school.
23. Pay off all consumer debt.
24. Perform a random act of kindness for a complete stranger.


25. Drive my convertible up the California coast.
26. Dedicate one weekend to giving back to the planet.
27. Take a dance class.


(source)

28. Move out of Orange County.
29. Feel fierce in a swim suit.
30. Fill every page of a blank journal.
Posted by at
Labels: , ,

11 comments:

  1. CaseyMay 9, 2010 at 11:15 PM

    This is such a beautiful and inspiring list of things to do before the big 3-0!! Some of them gave me goose bumps!

    ReplyDelete
  2. yvetteMay 10, 2010 at 6:08 PM

    this is so cool lisa...some of ur list is on one of my own but b4 30 is dope

    ReplyDelete
  3. ZoeMay 11, 2010 at 2:10 AM

    Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. Good luck with this list, some of these sounds amazing! I would LOVE to drive up the Californian coast, unlikely considering I live in Spain and am skint! Don't worry about turning 30 though, I've been 30 since October and things are just as much fun! Zoe x

    ReplyDelete
  4. CarlieMay 11, 2010 at 4:52 AM

    Thanks for passing by my blog...I like your list, and you've made me realise I only have about 9 months more than you to go before I'm 30 (SCARY thought ;-))

    My list would include the dance classes, guitar (though not open mic night!) and the volunteering too.

    I hope you enjoy as you fulfill the list.

    ReplyDelete
  5. hMay 12, 2010 at 4:57 AM

    Regarding the journal- have you considered a one-line-a-day, 5 year journal? I find it's a lot easier to keep up a journal if I (1) do it everyday and (2) it takes only 2 minutes to write my sentence or two.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lacey (schoolhousefarm)May 14, 2010 at 10:59 AM

    like a 30 bucket list...i need to make one, just a year or so left!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Le Modern TrinketNovember 11, 2010 at 10:01 AM

    HAHA.. not too hard of a list.. We can ride bike together to the beach.. Riding to the Wedge is fun and i'm alsways down for more tattoos! Good luck on your list chica!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Brianne of PetalPetal designsJanuary 17, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    I don't know how I came across your blog, but I am there with you! Turned 28 a couple weeks ago and you have no idea how similar our lists are! The day before my birthday I bought an audio course in Basic French... Je parle un peu de francais... Let's get to it! Know there are more of us out there working towards the same goal! Find adventure!

    ReplyDelete
  9. ~BB~April 29, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    so glad I stumbled upon your blog - I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. SueJune 3, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    I love this! I found your blog via your twitter, which I found via Etsy (yes, I love connections). I'm 46 and your list has inspired me to think about starting a 50 before 50 list. I'm headed into a transition time, with my daughter leaving the nest to head to college in the fall. There are so many things I've said I'd like to do. I'm a list maker by nature, but for some reason I haven't started a list like this one. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nicola SempleFebruary 19, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    This is a great list! I'm doing one too and yours is quite similar to mine!

    http://nicolasemple.blogspot.com/p/23-things-before-im-24.html

    I did one last year though and didn't complete it. Definitely going to have to try harder this year. Good luck with yours!

    Nicola
    x

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)