In 2015, I created a list off 32 things I wanted to achieve by the time that I turn 30.
With an imminent 26th birthday (eek!) I thought it was time to take stock and see how I’m doing. What have I achieved in the 8 months since I created the list, and what am I on track to achieve in the coming year?
In the past 8 months, I’ve achieved 5 items from my list: I visited my friend Lizzie in Barcelona, which was a whirlwind of Gaudi sites and delicious food; I took a beginners’ Spanish course at Escuela Albufera, just outside Valencia, where I did have a conversation in Spanish (although admittedly not a very long or complex one); I took a two day photography course at the local Adult Education centre; I baked an Indominus Rex birthday cake for my friend Stephen, and then made a number of mini cupcakes for Christmas; and I distributed sweets and poems to strangers on Valentine’s Day through my Poetry Plaster Pack project.
There are also a number of items on the list that, although I haven’t achieved them, I’m on the way to achieving them. For instance, I have plans for this summer to visit my friend Jessi in Oregon and to road trip along the Californian coast. Of my ‘5 new countries to visit’, I’ve so far visited one, when I went to Morocco in January. Four to go! (At a minimum, of course…)
So how does my list look now?
32 Things To Do Before I’m 30:
- Publish a poetry pamphlet – slowly, slowly, catchy monkey…
- Write and publish a Mills & Boon style novel (because let’s face it – why not?)
- Travel to Antarctica
- Travel to at least 5 new countries – I visited Marrakech in January: 1 down…
Visit Lizzie in Barcelona
- Visit Jessi in Portland, Oregon – planned for this August!
- Drive around Iceland’s Route 1
- Island hopping in the Pacific
- Take a solo trip that lasts at least a month
- Spend at least a week at the Edinburgh Fringe
- Visit Ireland
- Road trip the coast of California – also planned for this August!
- Drive a convertible (roof down)
- Take a road trip in a camper van
- Go on a writing retreat by the sea
- Go to a music festival
- Order room service
Hold a conversation in Spanish- Climb a mountain
- Undertake (and complete) a multi-day walk
- Be able to run a mile without collapsing / seizing up / giving up and walking
- Do 30 sit-ups in a row
Take a photography courseBake at least one cake- Knit or crochet something (anything will do)
- Make an item of clothing, which is acceptable to wear in public and doesn’t fall apart
- Own (and have reason to wear) a full length ball gown
Give cards / chocolates / flowers to a stranger / strangers on Valentines Day- Buy a piece of original artwork
- Finish reading The Well of Loneliness
- Achieve 1000 twitter followers (you can help with this one here)
- Glamping
Of course, I’ve also achieved things that aren’t on this list. I’ve managed to give up one of my jobs to free up more time for writing. I’ve drafted a play. I’ve volunteered at a poetry festival. I’ve created a new poetry project (Poetry Plaster Pack). I’ve read a number of books (35-ish?) and written some new poems.
So what are the aims for the coming year, to try and achieve by the time I’m 27?
- I’d like to achieve the fitness objectives:
21. Be able to run a mile without collapsing / seizing up / giving up and walking
22. Do 30 sit-ups in a row - 19. Climb a mountain – my dad and I are actually planning to do this some time this year, so providing I don’t collapse half way up due to my terrible lack of stamina, this one ought to be achievable.
- 11. Visit Ireland – my cousins live over there, so I’m hoping this one should be fairly do-able!
- 20. Undertake (and complete) a multi-day walk – again, this one depends on fitness and stamina, so I guess I’d better get exercising!
- 26. Make an item of clothing, which is acceptable to wear in public and doesn’t fall apart – would love to get back into my crafting, as a break from screens and words from time to time, so this seems like a good project
- 29. Buy a piece of original artwork – maybe one to do during C-Art Open Studios in September…?
- 30. Finish reading The Well of Loneliness – because seriously, I started reading it in 2009, and now it’s 2016.
- 1. Publish a poetry pamphlet. FINGERS CROSSED!
None of the big travel goals in the coming year, but that’s ok. I’m saving those for the year after. Saving, saving, saving…
Katie Hale 