Tuesday, November 24, 2009

30 before 30

26.  

Today I turn 26 years old.  I kind of sounds old in my head, but it doesn't really bother me that much.  I am hopeful that 26 will turn out to be a joyful and productive year.  Recently, I came across a lovely blog, 30 Before 30 List by Suz.  I was inspired by her ambitious list to create my own.  I've had it for a few months now, but have yet to finalize the items.  I have 30 things now, but I want to replace a few of them.  They seem kind of silly.  But now that today is my birthday, and I have exactly 4 years to complete my goals, I want to start to finalize it.  

As I have thought about my 30 list, I've begun to realize that many of these goals are micro-steps towards greater goals I have for my life and who I want to be.  Here are a few of my life-time goals.  I think they might help explain some of my 30 items (these are in no particular order):

-Visit all 50 states (I'm at 27)
-Be well-read
-Be well-traveled (domestically and abroad-visit at least 2 more continents)
-Raise a family and be close with the family that raised me
-Write a book
-Speak Spanish fluently
-Have an individual and distinctive sense of style
-Be a wonderful friend and nurture many meaningful friendships
-Be creative, crafty, musical and artistic

Those are just a few of my life-time goals.  Here are a handful of my 30 before 30 list.

-Visit at least 3 more states (which will make 30 states in 30 years-although I won't stop at 3 if I have additional opportunities)
-Use my passport again
-Learn Spanish
-Learn to sight-read piano pieces and be able to play at least 5 songs from memory
-Learn to play guitar well from tabs
-Reconnect with at least 5 friends
-Join a choir
-Find a church home
-Take at least one big risk
-Read at least 12 "classic" books
-Establish a yoga practice
-Create a piece of art
-Be financially stable
-Learn to ballroom dance
-Learn to sew and knit
-Learn to drive a standard car
-Learn to find the constellations
-Learn a new sport (probably tennis)
-Have a book plan/proposal or draft
-Finish my family tree

That's 20 things.  I have a few more I'm considering.  Many of these are hard to quantify.  But the end of the week, I'd like to have my list complete.  

Does anyone else keep "life lists", "bucket lists", etc?  Anyone else done a 30 before 30 or something like that?  Anyone have some awesome goals that I can steal?  I like the idea of having a few off the wall things on my list.  Do share!!!

5 comments:

Art Wall Katie said...

What a wonderful list. I like that many of them are simply self-improvements. Happy Birthday to you.

Katie said...

I want to learn tennis too! This has a lot to do with the fact that tennis is played at country clubs, where they serve alcohol, and that tennis has cute outfits. Seriously.

I think at least one trip to Louisville to visit Katie and her house that she will be getting some time next year and perhaps the child she will have before we're both 30. Or you can visit before baby. But visit after too, especially since I don't know what to do with a baby and you do. Visiting you is already on my to-do list. ;)

Happy birthday again! :)

Caitlin said...

Thank you for the birthday wishes!!

McB-we should totally play tennis together!! And yes, a visit to the Earley home should definitely be in my list. If only you lived in a state I had never visited? Any chance of moving to West Virginia or Maine? There are others. I can provide you with a list if you would like. :)

Han said...

I keep meaning to write a 30 before 30 list but never get round to it lol. - I'm 23 if I start now I should be able to complete at least some of it before I'm 30 right?

Biz said...

i don't have a 30 before 30 list, but i do have a plan to read all the pulitzer prize winning novels before i die. :) love the blog, caitlin!