30 THINGS TO DO BEFORE I'M 30

This blog was written the day before my 23rd birthday in April 2022 and is up to date with what I have completed from the list so far.

I usually like to write blog posts about my birthdays, I think I wrote one in 2020 about having a lockdown birthday, then in 2021, I don't think I wrote one because I already had one lockdown birthday before that one, and didn't really have anything to say.

This year, I thought why not make a list of 30 things to do before I turn 30. Seems like a good time to start it as I have 7 years to complete it. I feel weird writing this as I started my blog when I was 17 and I do not feel as old as 23 but there we are. Factually, I am 23 but in my head, I am about 19.

After having 2 lockdown birthdays and spending the first couple of years in my 20s stuck in and being very restricted, it made me think that the rest of my 20s is not for wasting. However, it has also taught me to not be too hard on myself if I don't do everything on this list because there are so many things that could affect it.

Anyway, in my 30 before 30 list, I have included lots of things I have always wanted to do, some things I am a bit scared to try, and some things I feel like everyone has to do at some point.

It's only really fun things as I didn't want to include anything serious like getting married or buying a house because sometimes life goes in weird directions and I don't want to put pressure on myself for serious things like that - that can be for later maybe, well after I'm 30.

I did struggle to come up with 30 things at first, so I turned to Instagram and asked people what they thought. A lot of people said to add skydive which I have not added. I know that is a bucket list item for many people but I just feel like I won't do that so why set myself up for failure?

There are a few ambitious things on this list, but mostly I wanted to include stuff I actually will do so when I do turn 30, I can look back and hopefully have done most, if not all of the list. 

I also remembered that I can do lots of additional bucket list-worthy stuff if I eventually do decide I want to, I am not just limited to the things on the list.

So here we go! I will be updating this page accordingly, ticking off each thing that I do so keep up to date and bookmark it if you are interested.

30 things to do before turning 30

1. Travel to Asia

I have always wanted to go but couldn't decide on a country so I just picked the whole of Asia to be safe. My top choices at the moment would be Thailand, Bali, or Japan.

2. Cook a roast dinner

I have managed to go 23 years (including 3 at uni) without ever making a roast dinner. This is definitely something I need to do to get my imaginary certificate for adult life. Stay tuned for a pic of the most banging roast you have ever seen - it will probably be chicken.

3. Watch a Liverpool game at Anfield✔️

I went to Anfield for the first time in May 2023 to watch Liverpool vs Brentford. Liverpool won 1-0!

4. Get a tattoo ✔️

 

I was brave and got my first tattoo in November 2023 and then another in March 2024!

5. Try a new cuisine✔️

I tried Thai food! Turns out I’m a big fan of Pad Thai.

6. Go to Disney World

This is probably my most unrealistic and ambitious goal but I really want to go to Disney World in Florida. Is it embarrassing to go to Disney World in your mid-late 20s? NO. I would just love to go and do the whole shabam with Universal as well. My only issue is I need to find someone to come with me!

7. Move out

Let's hope I move out before I'm 30 although in this economy, who knows?

8. Eat at a Michelin Star restaurant

Even though I am a fussy eater, I love food, and going out for meals and eating at a Michelin Star restaurant is just something I have to do.

9. Buy a designer handbag ✔️

Say hello to my very first designer handbag from Coach. It’s a vintage bag from Vinted (I did some haggling with the price so I could afford it). This definitely won’t be my last designer bag, next stop - a brand new one that’s not second hand hehe.

10. Make new friends✔️

I have made some new friends so far in my 20s but I am hoping to make some more too!

11. Visit Lisbon ✔️

I visited Lisbon in March 2023 and had an amazing time filled with sun, sangria and pastel de natas!

12. Try sushi ✔️

13. Night out in Manchester ✔️

I went to Manchester with my girls in March 2024 for early 25th birthday celebrations! I had such a good time and already want to go again.

14. Winter sea dip ✔️

I was very brave and got in the sea in February 2024. It was seriously cold but felt great after doing it.

15. Visit Scotland

I have been to Wales and Ireland, and obviously I live in England so need to go to Scotland to complete it.

16. Watch Pulp Fiction

Yes, I still haven't seen it. At least if there are more pandemics between now and when I'm 30 I should get at least one of these.

17. Go on a solo trip

I am looking for Eat Pray Love vibes. I keep seeing people go on solo trips and having an amazing time. I just think this would be sooo good for my confidence. Don't get me wrong, I will be absolutely petrified to do this because I get anxious just going on a shopping trip by myself but once I have done that, I will feel so good, like I can do anything.

I will probably just go on a solo trip in the UK though, I am too scared to go abroad.

18. Read 100 books✔️

This was too easy as I actually read over 100 books in 2023 alone. Who knew I would read so much? I may up this one.

19. Visit Harry Potter Studios✔️

Completed with a tasty butter beer in hand. I had such an amazing time at Harry Potter studios in May 2023 and already want to go again!

20. Watch a musical on the West End ✔️

I saw Wicked in September 2023 and it was amazing! Definitely not my last west end show.

21. Go to RuPaul’s Drag Con✔️

I had the time of my life in January 2024 at RuPaul’s Drag Con in London. What a way to begin the year!

22. Visit Barcelona✔️

I went to Barcelona in September 2022 and absolutely loved it!

23. Go to Bombay Sapphire Distillery ✔️

The Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery is actually so close to where I live and I’d wanted to go for so long!

I went with my mum in April 2024 for a birthday present and it was so much fun. We did a tour of the distillery and cocktail making.

24. Go to Notting Hill Carnival

Again, Notting Hill Carnival looks so much fun. (I am running out of reasoning as to why I want to do things this far down the list - can you tell?)

25. Go on an Alpaca Walk ✔️

26. Take Joe to Longleat

I live about half an hour from Longleat and I went loads as a kid and I really want to take joe because we love animal things like the zoo and aquariums but we haven't got round to it yet. We will go!

27. Progress in my career✔️

Since writing this list, I have been promoted and have also started an exciting new job which I love.

28. Buy a new car✔️

I bought my new car in June 2022, my second car. She's called Paris the Polo. The car I had before this was my first car since passing my driving test so this is a big flex for me.

29. Go on a skiing trip

I have actually been skiing but I went with school so it would be great to go as an adult and be able to stop at the pubs on the way down. Not too many though don't drink and ski!

30. Visit Brighton ✔️

I went to Brighton in April 2024 to see Declan McKenna live which was so much fun. I also spent the day wandering round Brighton and it’s safe to say I will be going again!

And there we have it. Feel free to use any of these items to build your own list of things to do. It doesn't end there, there are loads more things I want to do than this but I suppose I can add them to the list of things to do before I die - don't have to do everything before I'm 30.

Have you done anything on my list?