This week is very important for me because it marks the beginning of celebration season. It starts with my birthday this Wednesday -which is the day I put up our Christmas decor- and then there are birthday celebrations in my family every week until Christmas. So it's a whole month of celebrations and gatherings.
To celebrate my birthday with you, I've created a list of 30 things to do in your thirties that I find rewarding and fulfilling. Some I’ve achieved and others, I have yet to.
Here's my list of 30 things to do in your 30s. Let me know which ones are your favorites or what ideas you'd add to the list :)
- Save for the trip of your life. For me Australia and California had always been my dream destinations, even though now I've been to both I still dream of traveling to lands far away.
- Travel as often as you can. That doesn't necessarily mean booking a flight. Weekend getaways and road trips help us unwind and go back to work with a fresh mind.
- Travel solo. This is something everyone should try at least once in a lifetime. Read my experience traveling solo.
- Live abroad. Whether it's for months or years, this opens your mind like nothing else does. Read my experience as an au-pair in the US.
- Buy your first home or apartment. We are currently house hunting, fingers crossed!
- Practice a new talent or take up a hobby you left aside. I used to draw a lot as a kid but now I've transferred that passion to photography. I also took piano lessons as a teen but never had the patience to learn properly, I'd love to try again some day.
- Do voluntary work. Whether is helping people in need or preserve cultural heritage, I'd like to give back to the community in some way.
- Give more priority to me time. I've always wanted to get pampered for a day with a trip to the spa, to get a facial, a massage and my make-up and hair done.
- Be the best version of yourself. Instead of focusing on changing, strive for better. We don't need to be other people, we just need to work on ourselves.
- Accept yourself: your "flaws", your body, etc. Don't be so hard on yourself, nobody's perfect.
- Think positive. Train yourself to change every single negative thought and turn it into a positive one.
- Video chat with those friends who are far away. I have friends from all over the world but I never find the time to chat with them properly.
- Organize friend/family gatherings. We are so caught up on our daily routine that we procrastinate things that are important in life like spending time with loved ones.
- Find a workout routine that you love. Working out is not my number one priority and I think that's because I haven't found a sport or routine that I actually enjoy.
- Learn a new language. I speak Spanish, English and French but I gave up Russian lessons and now I feel like I've forgotten most of it which is really sad.
- Face your fears. We all have them, and getting over them is one of the hardest things in life.
- Don't be a prisoner of things your can't change. Whether is personal relationships or something else, learn to let go.
- Take risks. If you are a control freak like me, you probably have a hard time doing this. But what's the worst that could happen?
- Take a cooking class. I LOVE baking and I'd love to learn tips and tricks to improve my baking skills.
- Give yourself a treat. Save some cash and buy that thing that you've always wanted to but it's too expensive. YOLO.
- Set some money aside. Think about the long future: retirement, house, kids...
- Say "I love you". Is there someone you've always wanted to tell how you feel but never dared?
- No regrets. Stop torturing yourself about things that can't be changed. Think that they are life experiences.
- Start an exciting project. Have you ever wanted to do something like writing a book? Maybe a blog would be a good start.
- Ask yourself: am I happy? Think about what's missing in your life.
- Love life. Are you in a relationship? Think about where you are at and where you want to be. Maybe it's time to take the next step.
- Go back to school. If you didn't finish your degree or you studied the wrong one, this is a good time to rethink your future.
- Make some changes -or not- on your professional career. Are you happy at work? Are you doing what you've always wanted to do?
- Try a -new- meditation technique. Find a podcast that relaxes you, take up yoga or try out tapping.
- Spend some time in the countryside. I've always loved big cities because they've got so much to offer. However, since I moved to Madrid I've learned to appreciate rural life much more.
Hopefully this post has inspired you to improve some things about your life or encouraged you to try new things. What items on the list have you already nailed down? what would you add to your own list?
I spent most of my thirties bearing children, so I was thankful to note that my 20's included several of the items on your list--which is very thoughtful and though-provoking!
ReplyDeleteLove this list! As I'm now in my late 20s... I'm actively trying to knock off some items on this list. And I so wish I could live abroad!! However, my husband is already too established in his career for us to move... Which is why we make up for that with traveling abroad a couple of times a year!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful article; just shared it on my Pinterest page.
ReplyDeleteGreat article. I just shared it on my Pinterest board.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post! I love how many things focus on getting to know and understand yourself.
ReplyDeleteLee | LegalLee Blonde
Such a great list; good luck on attaining your goals.
ReplyDeleteLove this list! Traveling solo is something I've really been itching to do. I've checked a lot of this stuff off my list (I think something happens when you turn 30 where you start to pay more attention to yourself and stop worrying about what other people think), and I'm hoping I can check off the rest before I hit 40!
ReplyDeleteMany Happy Returns in advance hope you have a wonderful day! Love your list I still haven't ticked off all of those and it is a long time since I was in my 30's :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to New to Me too!
Happy Birthday! This is a wonderful list, and contains really good advice as well. I must admit, I'm beyond my thirties now, but I do like the idea of making a list of goals for each decade. Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party community!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Great list :-) I've got a list going on my blog of 40 things to do before 40. But I love the one you have about working - I think I need to start looking at changing direction in that area of my life.
ReplyDeleteAwesome list! I'm currently working on a few things on your list – learning a new language, and traveling among others! Hope you have a wonderful time celebrating your birthday!
ReplyDeleteWith Love,
Mandy
Happy Birthday! I think I managed at least half of your list when I was in my 30s.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Cristina! I like your list and wish you to tick off all the points :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day! Great list x #WotW
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, hope you had a good one. That's a fabulous list - there's a few things on there that I haven't done but quite a few I have done too. Facing your fears, learning to let go, reflecting on what makes you happy and trying to be the best version of yourself are such important things to do. Good luck with the house hunting! #WotW
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great list dear. Happy Birthday Cristina! Wishing you all the best.
ReplyDeleteJessica | notjessfashion.com
Happy Birthday! How wonderful Cristina that you are celebrating all month with family. I love your list and have accomplished some although the traveling solo would terrify me! I love the idea of voluntery work and I am hoping to work with dogs in the future. I may also try to learn Ukrainian, which is part of my heritage. I am impressed you know 3 ! Enjoyed reading, sounds like you are very introspective!
ReplyDeletejess xx
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Excellent list! Happy birthday. I am sure you are on your way to achieving a lot of your goals.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas here! We love having you join us on the #DreamTeam, but do ask that you add our badge somewhere on the site when you do. Thanks so much
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very happy birthday, Cristine! I love this list. Traveling solo is one of my very favorite things to do and I started doing it in my 20’s and continue still in my 40’s. Thanks so much for sharing this inspiring post on my link up.
ReplyDeleteShelbee
www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thanks, Michele!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Madison! Living abroad is a wonderful experience but traveling surely makes up for that :)
ReplyDeleteThankes, Layene!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee :)
ReplyDeletethank you!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that, Lex!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteThat's great! What language are you learning?
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Anne! well done :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lalka!
ReplyDeletethank you, Kim!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Louise!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jess!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jess. It makes me really happy that you enjoyed this post
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Patricia!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kirsty. Will do
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shelbee!
ReplyDeletegreat ideas, honestly I can't believe I'll be 37 this year, time flies, and there's so much more to do! I have done quite a lot from this list but saving money isn't my forte (unless I'm saving for a trip :) ) and a very belated happy birthday!
ReplyDelete