A little honesty for you.
In six very short months I’m going to be 30. Needless to say I’m in complete denial about it. Having spent the latter half of my twenties essentially in a fog of anxiety and angst, mostly due to the fact that I flitted about aimlessly from one horribly demoralizing assistant job to another, it was a huge relief to end the decade on an upswing. Thanks to a friend’s confidence in me I was finally allowed the chance to prove that I can do more in the workplace than photocopy and order catering.
Since beginning this new position, heavy on the web 2.0 decadence that I adore, the world has become a decidedly more shiny and happy place. I’m not sure what would have happened if things hadn’t worked out so wonderfully (for once). Honestly I doubt if CK could have stood my “down and out mood” for much longer. One can only hear someone loudly declare intense hatred for their job, usually followed by a flurry of tears and a bottle of wine so many times, right?
So back to this whole turning 30 thing…now that my personal and professional life is essentially in order I thought it would be appropriate to take this time to work on becoming the best damn 30-year-old I can. I wasted a big part of my twenties being miserable so my overarching goal for the next decade is to be as entertained, happy, and healthy as possible. The following is a list of goals (some serious and some on the more frivolous side) that I’d like to attempt to complete before the clock tolls on June 3rd. It will certainly be interesting to see which items I actually manage to accomplish.
Note: This post is inspired by Georgia; one-half of the fabulous duo behind the Alie & Georgia cocktail videos.
1. Lose 30 pounds. (This will NEVER happen but a girl can dream, right?)
2. Learn how to cook a steak properly so that poor CK doesn’t have to eat my horribly rare or overdone entrees anymore.
3. Find a way to actually enjoy blogging again because right now it feels like a HUGE chore to keep up three sites.
4. Wear red lipstick with confidence.
5. Level my World of Warcraft Human Warlock up to 50. (See I told you they wouldn’t all be serious).
6. Save $3000 (again…another reach goal).
7. Read Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.
8. Run 3 miles without dying.
9. Learn how to back-up my MacBook so CK doesn’t have to do it for me.
10. Visit friends in Portland, Maine.
11. Book a fabulous getaway for the Fall. Preferably somewhere in Europe.
12. Enroll in Grad School again…or at least find a class to take.
13. Buy the new Apple Tablet (I suppose that will cut into the above goal of saving $3000 but priorities are priorities…).
14. Organize ALL of the closets in the apartment.
15. Figure out what to do with the overabundance of books I own and donate the ones I don’t want to keep.
16. Actually read the magazines I subscribe to.
17. Clean up my Google Reader. Do I really need to subscribe to 333 feeds? Probably not.
18. Try to get in at least one session of Yoga each week.
19. Finally eat at Hungry Mother.
20. Try my hand at canning something. Bread and Butter Pickles perhaps?
21. Stop freaking out so much about the cats shedding on the furniture.
22. Re-watch all of the Anne of Green Gables movies.
23. Purchase more organic foods.
24. Find another little crafty project to complete.
25. Write ten-pages of something (anything) that doesn’t go on a blog.
26. Finally buy some Truffle oil since I love it so much.
27. Take another cooking class.
28. Meet Jennifer Garner (ha ha … it could happen. She comes to Boston pretty often).
29. Wear more color. Less black.
30. Learn how to properly use my fancy camera.
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Hurray for 30! I crossed over last May and so far, it’s been pretty delightful. And just let me know when you want to can something, I’ll happily talk you through it.
30 is awesome. A wise man told me “30 means no more bullshit”. I took those words to the bank, sister. I love your list and I promise I’ll have furniture for you to sit on when you come visit Portland! xo!
Erin, My friend Heidi saw Jennifer Garner in Saks at Copley last year while she was shopping…Just a tip 😉
Your list is great. While I have a few years to go before I reach the same milestone (and it IS a milestone, not a bad thing), I hope to develop a list. Or at least plan a fabulous trip FOR my 30th birthday. I’m getting some practice with B, who turns 30 next year and already knows I’m making us go away for his 30th.
That’s quite a list doll!
#25 is fabulous and probably something I should also adopt. And also, #4 is definitely something a sophisticated woman needs to master!
Everyone tells me that their 30s were the best years of their life. So far I’m enjoying it. I think you will too!
Hi Erin,
What a great list of goals! I hope you accomplish at least 1/3 or them if not more. I just turned 42 (sigh, groan) but actually the 40’s have not been too bad so far. Congrats on your new great job and Happy New year to you:)
Looks like a do able list. Now you really need to focus and each week make it happen. Good Luck let the challenge begin. PS Keep us posted!!! Love Wummy
i’m so glad things are going better on the job front! i’m with you on a few of those… i cut back my google reader a bit, but still needs some work. i also need to look into a digital photography book or course to learn how to use my camera. and canning! i’d love to give it a try 🙂 maybe a canning party?? oh, you want to plan one? i’m in! haha!
What a great list! I have to say as one in her early 30’s. The 30’s are the most luscious time!! Enjoy checking those pre-30’s tasks off but make sure you truly look forward to what the 30’s bring.
I have to say, 30 has definitely been better for me than the 20’s… all 4 months of it, at least.
and re: number 11, if you need travel tips for Europe, I’ve quite a few 🙂
Applause for taking the time to put your list together. Although I’m not at that 30 milestone yet, my laundry list of things I want to do is growing. All the best to you and your endeavor of accomplishing all of the items on your “wish list”. Moreover, kudos for being brave enough to publish your list.
This is a great list, Erin, but I am most impressed with your fabulous attitude. Starting the new (calendar) decade and your personal new decade at the same time must be a good omen. I wish you to be surrounded by love and fulfilled in your life and having lots of fun along the way. You deserve all good things that come into your life. For No. 20, if you aren’t already familiar with it, there’s a wonderful blog that focuses on canning – http://www.foodinjars.com. (Sorry, I can’t help but want to mother you. You should probably feel sorry for my daughter because she has to deal with it all of the time.) It’s good to have goals in your life, but it’s better if some of them are fun! Happy-six-months-till-your-30th-birthday!
[…] as I’m technically supposed to be cutting back on my over-the-top spending habits per my 30 Things I Want To Do Before I Turn 30 list of goals. Either way I think you have to at least try the butter before you completely roll […]
I love this list. And hooray for you for getting out of the wallowing “I hate my job, I hate my life” pit that so many late-20-somethings I know are currently in (including myself.) I’ll be turning 30 this September as well. Perhaps I shall make my own 30 before 30 list. Item Number 1? Stop whining and start doing.
hey erin, nice new blog…love the list. you’ve motivated me to do something similar good luck knocking those off your list.
Number 22 is my personal favorite. You will make 30 look fabulous and fun! xoxo
30 is just a number, nothing more or less. Now turning 40 (as I do in three weeks) might be something else, but so far not so much.