The List

In one week I’ll be 29. This weekend I plan to celebrate with friends, Mexican food, and margaritas. Next Tuesday begins my countdown to 30. While many people dread exiting their 20s, I couldn’t be happier. I have this feeling that in my 30s I’ll finally become the woman I’m meant to be. Sure, I could be kidding myself and could be just as confused and insecure as I was in my college years, but for now holding on to the hope is keeping me from seeing aging as a bad thing. 


That said, I still want to do big things while I’m still in my 20s. For the past several months I’ve been putting together a list of 30 things I want to do before I turn 30. Things on the list range from finishing my book and seeing my byline in my favorite magazines to being part of a flash mob dance and performing in a hafla.I also want pay off my credit card debt, learn to love my body again, and take a girls’ trip to Nashville. (Who’s up for country line dancing at the Wild Horse Saloon?!)

My list is now up to 25 items. So I have a week to think of five more goals. Any ideas? How do you think I should spend my last year as a 20-something? What do you want to accomplish before you’re 30 or 40? 

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6 Comments

  1. I turn 29 exactly one month from today — and what a great idea to think of all the things I want to accomplish in the next year. Before I’m (OMG!) thirty.

    Hmm. I can’t wait to see your complete list! I hope it will give me some ideas.

  2. Your final five:

    – Assassinate Gucci Mane

    – Open a 7/11 franchise in Birmingham. So a brother can get a Slurpee every now and then.

    – Reunite Drake with his long lost twin brother Bert

    – Find Dave Chappelle. Is he still alive?

    – Go partying with Michelle Obama. You know you want to.

    Then, truly, you can say you’ve lived a full life.

    Or you can just buy a new car like everyone else emerging from a quarter-life crisis.

  3. I can’t do anything but laugh at the final five that Edd suggested for you. Only he would come up with those things. I need a little time to give you some suggestions.

    That being said, the “Dirty Thirties” as they are often called are wonderful. I do believe Jai that you will enjoy them and embrace them with all of your might and I, for one, heartily encourage you to do so.

    I learned a lot in my 20s and for that, I am thankful but I was not at all sad to move forward in to the 30s. I do feel like I embrace me more since I have turned 30. And you now what,I LOVE IT! I know who I am (although I am definitely still learning) and am more in tune with my thoughts, feelings and emotions. I am also more willing to go for the gusto with things and not stand for madness.

    So I believe that you will have a great time in your 30s Jai and I will be excited to welcome you in to the club!

    As for what I want to accomplish before I am 40…haven’t really thought that far ahead yet. Just now on what I want to accomplish by the time I’m 35 and those include:

    -Grad School
    -Marriage (this really isn’t an accomplishment on the same scale as the other stuff but hey, I decided to stick it on there anyway…speaking it in to existence)
    -Home Purchase
    -Entrepreneur
    -Sing the National Anthem at a NFL or NBA Game

    …just to name a few and in no particular order. 🙂

  4. ive given up making a list of stuff to do before 30. there is no time left and this year is all business for me unfortunately.

    I do however have a list of things i plan to do before i die.

    and Edd give up on the 7/11 in bham. we’ve done just fine with piggly wiggly and milo’s.

  5. merch,
    what are some things on your bucket list? i need ideas!

  6. I’ve been MIA for a while and missing all kinds of good stuff on Georgia Mae! I see I also missed your birthday, so happy belated.

    I, too, have foregone a before 30 accomplishment list. Not much I can do in less than 6 months except try to save enough money to do something special for myself. I’m far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far away from where I thought I would be at just under 30, but I’m encouraged by women in their 50s and 60s who have told me that their lives really started to come together when they turned 30.

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