My 28th birthday is on Sunday! I pretty much forbid phrases like “I feel so old” because, well, I’m not :) But this impending number has made me think for the first time about how soon I’ll be leaving my twenties behind. I actually really love the stage of life that I’m in–I still have a sizable handful of weddings on my calendar, but I also get to celebrate friends having babies, see them thrive in careers that they love, and learn from them as we experience marriage, parenthood, and just “adult” life in general together. It hit me the other day that I have friends whose maiden names I don’t know and who I didn’t know before they were moms…and on the flip side, some of my friends can say the same about me! I love the fact that in my late twenties, I know and feel confident in myself and my purpose more than ever, and part of that is because my husband and son are so deeply a part of me.
All that to say! With a new decade on the horizon, I made a list of a few things I’d love to do before my twenties come to an end. Some are lighthearted while others are more serious goals, but I am confident that, Lord willing, they are all doable over the next two years!
1. Create an heirloom-worthy wedding album.
2. Invest in (or acquire) a KitchenAid mixer.
3. Go on a spiritual retreat (anyone else considering the Blessed Is She Wild retreat in DC this November? I really want to go!).
4. Ask my dad to teach me to make his famous crêpes recipe and master the technique.
5. Plant flowers in our yard.
6. Visit the North Carolina mountains in the fall.
7. Buy a bed or headboard.
8. Facilitate new Olson family photos.
9. Volunteer at 20+ weddings at church.
10. Find a spiritual director.
11. Run a 10K.
12. Go on a long weekend trip with just Dave.
13. Go back to Europe (or have plans in place for a five-year anniversary trip, which will fall right after my 30th birthday).
14. Write a book.
15. Have another baby.
For my fellow under-30 readers, do you have a list like this? I’d love to hear what’s on it, if so!
Photo by Rachel Linder of Blue Barn Photography
Lisa!!!! I already bought my ticket to the DC BIS conference. You should come!!!!!! :)
-Maureen
Oh my gosh!!! Now I want to go even more! I’ll keep you posted!!
I am no longer under 30–but I have one! I didn’t come close to finishing it but I haven’t given up on it yet! :D
Nothing wrong with a things to do before 35 list, right? :)
You should absolutely come to DC! :) I made a big list of things to do before I was thirty before I found out I was pregnant, so I need to revamp a similar list soon! But I’m over 30 now, so it will have to be 35!
I’m sure your new list will be even sweeter because Victoria gets to be part of it! I love thinking about things we’ll do with Charlie over the next two years but that way surpassed this 15 :)
So many similar goals!! I always tell my husband I want 4 Kids before I’m 30, but now I’m like ehhhhh that’s a little ambitious emily ????. And I want to go on a BIS retreat so bad…let’s do it.
Maybe you’ll have twins next? ;) And that would be AMAZING!! Come to DC with me!
Ian can make you a bed/headboard! I feel like I can copy lots of these things :) Big pancakes and a KitchenAid!
Daddy can teach a big pancake master class! I hope you get a KitchenAid for your wedding :) I’m actually glad I didn’t because I have since changed my mind about which color I want!
Love this post! I am a few months away from 30 so this has been on my mind a lot. I have many similar goals (finding a spiritual director, planting flowers, get a headboard). I also want to make progress on writing a thesis, switch to natural skincare (I have been looking at Tata Harper’s line, but would welcome any recommendations!) and makeup products, learn how to style my hair and perfect my natural makeup look, lose baby weight and work on self-control, finish Anna Karenina, create a family rule and commit to a weekly holy hour and family rosary, master our family budget, and continue to make our house feel like a home (hang art and family photographs, improve the lighting), and also be more present with my boys and think about ways to create a magical childhood for them. I probably won’t get everything done by the time 30 is here, but I’m excited to ring in the new decade with my unfinished goals nonetheless!
I hope you can get your kitchen aid! I have the most wonderful chocolate chip cookie recipe that I don’t think would be nearly as good without my KA!
Vanessa, I loved reading some of your goals and hopes for the upcoming months/years! You have such wonderful, thoughtful, and fun intentions. Creating a family rule has been a game-changer for me this year and I cannot recommend the A Mother’s Rule of Life book enough! And please feel free to email me some details about your skin type/needs if I can make any Beautycounter recommendations to help with your natural skincare goal! lisa@somethingprettyblog.com xoxo
Lisa, that is a wonderful list! I love the mixture of lighthearted and more serious goals. As I am nearing both university graduation in the summer and my 27th birthday in the fall, I have also started to think about my twenties so far and what I still want to accomplish during this decade. After reading your post, I feel very much inspired to write a list before I enter my late twenties this year ;-)
I would love to hear what ends up on your list! :)
I really love that finding a spiritual director made your list. That is a goal of mine as well!
That feels like one of the most intimidating goals on the list–I’ve never had a spiritual director, so I’m not totally sure where to start! Let me know if you have any advice as you look for one as well!
Happy Birthday, Lisa! What a fun list of things to tackle in the next couple years. When I turned 30 (and was four months fresh into motherhood) I created a 40 before 40 list and it’s been a fun one to reference from time to time. I’m two years into the list and look forward to the next eight!
Thank you, Rhi! I do remember reading your list–you should post an update on how it’s going so far! I would love to read about your progress and the memories you’re making along the way :)
This is lighting a fire under me to figure out what my next longer-form list will be… I love having a current one! Somehow 65 Before 35 just doesn’t have the same ring to it. Currently trying to decide whether the time period should be age-based or something else, and whether it should be a personal list or more of a family one! I already have a bunch of ideas saved – I just need to figure out the right format!!