Three months ago, I set up a challenge for myself. I wanted to run through a list of 30 tasks before I turned 30 years old.
You helped me build my list of tasks! You started your own lists. It feels like we’re all out in the world trying to do good, be better and share cupcakes.
Except. Well. Um…
I haven’t given you an update on my 30 Things list because well… I’ve already gone and turned 30… and I’m no where near done with my list.
So! The 30 Things Before 30 Years has become 30 Things For 30 Years.
It’s a work in progress. I’m a work in progress. So far, it all feels pretty good.
Here’s the list that’s going to keep me busy this summer.
Let’s be better to ourselves, for ourselves, to each other, for each other. Let’s just do that, and be that, and make a list about that… now!
30 Things For 30 years:
Eat 1 giant birthday hot dog with sauerkraut, spicy mustard, and beer.
It was a pretzel. There was coffee. It was awesome.
Send flowers to 2 friends.
Workin’.
Buy 3 strangers their morning coffee.
1 down, 2 to go.
Take 4 new people to church on Sunday.
2 down, 2 to go.
Make 5 new friends.
Done! But these people might not know we’re friends yet. We’re friends. This summer I’ll prove it!
Mail 6 hand-written letters.
Inspired by the PenPal Project… so far I’ve written 78 letters. No joke.
Compliment 7 strangers.
I love this. Mostly because it’s awesome to tell people that they look pretty.
Leave 8 lucky quarters on the ground.
Done. Easy.
Send 9 of my favorite books to 9 of my favorite people.
Workin’.
Smile at 10 strangers.
I try to do this everyday. It really does feel awesome.
Go in for 11 high-fives.
Workin’. Awkward every time.
Give away 12 fresh cupcakes.
Send 13 postcards to 13 blog readers.
Done!
Tip my waitress $14 above average.
Done!
Leave 15 nice comments on 15 other blogs.
Gotcha!
Make (at least) 16 coffee ice cream cream puffs.
Workin’.
Enjoy 17 beach sunsets.
Workin’.
Give (at least) $18 to my favorite charity.
Workin’.
Pick 19 super ripe figs.
Can. Not. Wait.
Ride my bike at least 20 miles.
Whitney! It’s me and you!
Give 21 bits of advice to a new 21 year old.
Make 22 beers. Yea… make beer.
Andrea! We’re doing this!
Stay up for 23 hours… just for kicks… and bourbon.
Who wants to play sleep-over!?
Take and develop 24 pictures… with film.
Workin’.
Take a 25 year old out to lunch.
I need a 25 year old LA friend… who is hungry.
Take 26 yoga classes.
Workin’. I own you downdog. (not really).
Clean my closet and give away 27 things.
Let’s be real… it could have been way more than 27 things.
Learn 28 new words.
Workin’.
Write down the beauty of the day for 29 days.
Workin’.
Tell 30 people why I am grateful they’re in my life.
All the time. Super important.
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oh joy, you dear heart! i love this and your 21 pieces of advice. you always make my day!
thanks for making such a great inspiring list! Cheers to accomplishing all of it! Gonna go start my own!
your list is awesome! i recently started reading your blog and everything looks delicious, dangerously delicious. i saw that you need a 25 year old friend in LA, i recently moved to OC and fit the 25 year old part. lunch sometime?
Thanks to the lovely Elsie from A Beautiful Mess, I’ve found you! This post especially has totally inspired me!
I’m going to be 17 in exactly two months and a day, and I am definately going to make a list like this! Not to mention that I’m going to start writing letters like a madwoman!
Thanks for the inspiration!
This is totally a great idea! I just turned 30 recently, so I think I’ll hop of the list of 30 things bandwagon.
How about for 25 you take a 26 year ild who is gonna be turning 27 and will be in LA for her birthday for lunch! <3 because I know I just wanna shake the hand of the person who is consantly feeding my mouth with amazing goodies! <3
I’m 26 and in LA. And hungry! Close enough? Hahaha
I love this! I’m going to be 30 a week from today, and it’s really inspiring. You’re my favorite blogger (that I don’t know!). May I modify and copy your idea? I can’t watch beach sunsets or pick figs. :) Thanks for sharing and making so many people smile.
I love your list of 30 things! I’m doing 26 things before I turn 26 in August (and attempting to keep track of them on my blog), but they don’t have the nifty feature of including the number… I like!
I love this list. I’m turning 32 on Monday and feel the need for a little focus for the next year, a few mini goals, maybe it’s time for a 32 before 33 list…
just reading this list makes me smile. thinking about doing these things makes me feel both calm and excited. it captures all of the simple joys in life and reminds you of the good in the world. thank you for sharing. i look forward to making my own!
I have less than 7 months to go until 30 and so far have only completely crossed two things off my list. :-\ Thankfully the numbers of mine don’t indicate how many times I have to do something like yours! That’s intense, but I like it. I wish you could help me with my 28. (Relearn how to ride a bike.) It scares me.
I love this list! I live in LA but unfortunately I just turned 32 (how’d that happen?!) so I don’t fit the category of a 25 year old. :)
This project reminds me of something I’ve been doing for 8 years called the 101 in 1001. I’m on my 3rd (technically 4th since I lost track of one once) list.
They even have a site to track it and some ideas you can quickly add. The idea is 101 stretching, fun, awesome or just plain interesting goals in 1001 days. It’s 1001 days so if you put “surf the best wave ever!” and you break your leg for one summer you still have chances.
I couldn’t live without my list. Literally. I never used to share how important this thing is to my life but lately I’ve been sharing and your post inspires me to share again. http://dayzeroproject.com/user/photomatt
There’s mine. If you ever make a 101 list, I want to know!
If you want an extension for number 7, try and compliment people on things other than their appearance. Be deep!
Good work on trying to improve yourself, it can be hard sometimes = )
Your beach pic is my new screen saver.
It’s saving me….
Thanks for your wonderful idea of making a list. You came up with so many thoughtful things to do! I will write my list and will have to add many numbers to 30 to get to my age. I love your blog. THANKS!
it’s so inspiring. A friend sent me this link and I end up with an amazement ….with a big wow of your idea to cheer me up …. really love it. Thanx for such note :)
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