Where has time gone? It seems like just yesterday, I was turning 21, and, bam! Now, I’m nearly 30!
For many of us, plans didn’t quite turned out how we expected, but you know what? It’s OK! Many of us thought we’d would have our shit figured out by the time 30 hit. Sure, we’ll settle down eventually, create beautiful families, and have our lives together.
But our twenties are our time for adventures!
I have just one year left being a twenty-something, so I plan on being a little bit reckless, but also a little bit more responsible. I will set goals and crush them. And most importantly, I will make memories that I will never forget.
There are so many items on your bucket list to do, see, and explore before you turn 30 (or even after, if you’ve already hit the “dirty 30”).
From adrenaline-pumping activities to experiences that help you grow to skills you should learn, here is my list of 30 things you must do before turning 30.
- Skydiving
Skydiving is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do. Preparing for the jump and the sound of the airplane taking off will definitely engage you all of your senses. Then, there’s the jump itself… the experience is incredible and indescribable! And, don’t worry: if jumping out of a plane sounds too scary, you can always try indoor skydiving.
- Bungee Jumping
Does flinging yourself off a bridge, cliff edge, or building with just an elastic band attached to your ankles sound scary? Bungee jumping is the perfect way to face any of your fears and confront them head-first, though (literally).
- Swimming With Sharks
Despite everything you’ve watched in “Jaws,” sharks are actually magnificent, beautiful creatures. Seeing these amazing creatures up-close and personal can help you truly understand their majesty. Swimming with the sharks is a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
- Overcome Your Fears
Your fears can hold you back, but don’t let them, especially as you turn 30. Take steps to overcome any fears you may have. Once you know you what you are truly capable of, anything is possible.
- Zorbing
Zorbing is a seriously fun activity that is very popular and suitable regardless of an individual’s physical ability.
- Travel To Foreign Countries
Traveling is expensive, but it can be one of the most fulfilling experiences ever. Get your passport ready, and head somewhere that’s nothing like home—Paris, London, Tokyo, or any country you’ve always wanted to visit. Expand your horizons, open your mind, and experience new landscapes, customs, and languages.
- Visit Las Vegas
Go for a weekend with a few of your friends. Party, go crazy, and laugh your ass off! Vegas is the place to do all sorts of wild things without others judging you. Go for a weekend with a few of your friends. Party, go crazy, go for some Vegas tours and laugh your ass off! Vegas is the place to do all sorts of wild things without others judging you.
- Run A Race
Pushing yourself physically is not only good for your body, but it’s also great for your mind. Regardless of your physical condition, you can find a race length that fits your ability. Try something as simple as a 5K, or push yourself to participate in a marathon or triathlon..
- Start Building Your 401K
Do yourself a favor, and start saving now.
- Learn A Foreign Language
Learning a foreign language can be incredibly beneficial, especially if you hope to understand other cultures.
- Fulfill Your Wildest Sexual Fantasy
Whether you’ve always wanted to have sex on a beach, airplane, rooftop, or anywhere else: just do it… literally!
- Attend A Musical Festival
When you’re at a live concert, you can dance, scream, and sing your heart out. Just watching your favorite band(s) is one of the best feelings ever. From iHeartRadio to Coachella to Sasquatch to Rock, there are so many festivals out there today.
- Read More
This should be self-explanatory, but reading books benefits you in so many wonderful ways.
- Learn New Culinary Skills
Trying new recipes helps you understand different cultures, customs, and flavors. Plus, cooking at home can save you money and even impress your dates!
- Go Skinny Dipping
Trust me, swimming naked is pretty awesome.
- Climb A Mountain
Not only are mountains magical, but climbing a mountain is the furthest thing from easy. Mountain climbing will challenge you and take a toll on your body.Once you make it to the top, though, you’ll realize just how amazing it feels to be up there. Climbing to the peak is just as exhilarating as reaching a significant milestone; you realize you can do anything you set your mind to achieving.
- Scuba Dive Or Snorke
The world is 70% water – why limit yourself to only explore 30% of the planet? Discovering the underwater world is a truly incredible experience, and the ocean is completely different from Earth as you know it.
- Travel Solo
Everyone should travel alone at least once in their lifetime. Solo travel allows you to go wherever you want, step outside your comfort zone, and explore at your own pace.
- Camp Under The Stars
Camping is the best way to spend time outdoors. It’s a great way to forget about your problems, unplug from your busy life, and fully enjoy nature’s beauty alone or with a few close friends.
- Go Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting can be one of the most adrenaline-pumping, thrill-seeking activities out there. No matter what size rapids you’re tackling, this fun activity will definitely meet your summer excitement quota.
- Volunteer
Doing good is always a good thing for others, but devoting yourself to a cause is also good for your own soul and sanity. Having a passion project outside of work or your social life can be both inspiring and fulfilling.
- Take A Cross Country Trip
We see pictures in magazines, scenes from movies, and read stories about America’s beauty, but witnessing it with your own eyes is completely surreal. Everyone needs to travel the country least once in their lifetime.
- Attend A Major Sporting Event
Everyone should have one of those “once-in-a-lifetime” moments with thousands of other sports fans. Try to attend a huge sporting event, like the Olympics, Superbowl, World Cup, or World Series.
- Go Skiing
Recharge your batteries and invigorate your well-being out in the fresh mountain air as you fly down snow-covered mountains. Skiing is not only fun, but it also provides a release from the stress of daily life.
25. Ride In A Racecar
Ride along in a Nascar car, or drive one if you dare! Driving at high speeds will give you an incredible adrenaline rush and make you feel like you are staring in a “Fast And Furious” movie.
- Pay Down Debt
Start working towards being debt-free. You can develop smart habits in your 20s that will help you become debt-free and stay that way.
- Take A Class
Take dance lessons, study photography, or enroll in an art class. You just might discover a new side of yourself in the process.
- Learn How To Play An Instrument
We all love music, but learning to play an instrument and creating your own music is possibly even more fantastic.
- Go Beer Or Wine Tasting
There are so many wines and beers out there; going to a tasting is the perfect opportunity to explore new flavors and socialize.
- Make a “40 Things Before You Turn 40” List
Once you mark the items off your current list, start making a new list! Never stop learning. Never stop exploring. Enjoy life while you are young and in good health. You only live once. You can get busy living, or get busy dying.
Your late twenties are a time to explore who you are and what you can do, overcome that quarter-life crisis, and live your best life. If you haven’t hit that “dirty 30” yet, start checking those items off your bucket list now!
What will you do?
Photo by Shifaaz shamoon on Unsplash
Nice list, I will definitely borrow a few of them. I also love making lists like this to better motivate myself to do things and travel. I recently used the online to do list maker – https://cheqmark.io/ to create a checklist of the countries I want to visit this year