Last weekend I turned 25. And it really cemented just how quickly time is flying by. I honestly don't feel like I'm 25. Nor do I feel like I'm a lot younger either. It's quite a strange one.
Even though my 30th birthday feels like it's a long way away. Here are the 30 goals that I'd like to achieve/accomplish before I turn 30;
International travel
New York - New York has been on my 'to visit' list for as long as I can remember. This year, to celebrate turning 25, I've decided to treat myself to a trip to the Big Apple. I've just booked my hotel. I'm staying at the CitizenM Times Square, which I am SO excited about! And I will be planning out my itinerary over the next couple of months. As I go this Summer, this should be one of the goals that I can tick off my list almost straight away.
Hawaii - My real dream would be to honeymoon in Hawaii. But that is rather conditional on me meeting the one. And getting married in the first place. Even if that doesn't happen, I'd love to enjoy my first really relaxing and laidback holiday. One where I'm not dashing around a city or meticulously planning what to do each day. Like I do in Orlando.
Japan - When I was about 15 years old I saw Lost In Translation. And it was one of those movies that had a massive impact on me. I could easily identify with Scarlett Johansson's Charlotte. And Sofia Coppola's cinematography instantly made Japan a dream destination for me. Visiting the iconic Park Hyatt hotel, where most of the movie is set. And getting a feel for the city would be incredible.
American road trip - This is something I've always wanted to do too. So why not aim to get it done before I turn 30. States that I'd really love to see would be Los Angeles, Nevada, Texas and Arizona. To do it in a vintage car would be the cherry on the top.
UK travel
Edinburgh - This one should be the one of the easier travel related goals to accomplish. Especially as I only live about an hour away from the Scottish capital. Despite visiting a number of times in my life. I still haven't truly experienced the Fringe. I don't think a trip through during the Fringe to get school shoes when I was about 14 years old really counts. I've also not spent New Year's Eve in the city. Both of which I'd love to do at some stage.
Wimbledon - What I would have given to see Rafael Nadal play (my absolute favourite tennis player of all time), when he was still on the top of his game. I count down the days to Wimbledon starting every year. And it's one of the only sports that I get excited about. So one year I'd love to head down, even if only for a day or two. To catch a couple of matches and enjoy the infamous strawberries and cream.
London - Throughout the year I have to turn down many an invite to a press show, party, launch or event down in London. Simply because of the time and money that I would need to put in to do so. I often feel like I'm missing out as a result. I'm now going to make a real effort to head down to London and RSVP yes to one. Or a few, of those invites.
Life
Move out of the family home - It's got to the stage where I really need my own space. So this definitely needs to happen before I turn 30.
Have my own office - And when I do move out, I'll be dedicating an area or potentially a room to having a real office. I have a feeling that it will make working from home that bit easier. And it will stop me from procrastinating as much as I do now.
A dog - I simply need a dog in my life. This is another goal that very well could be a reality as soon as I move out.
Fall in love - Sad but true; I've just turned 25. And I've yet to fall in love. People say it will happen when I least expect it. And I'm hoping that that is true. But I do know that I also need to make the effort to find that person too. What do I do if the notion of Tinder and dating apps totally scares the life out of me? Any suggestions?
Do a walk for charity - After struggling to walk even a couple of feet last year. Due to issues with my legs and feet. I'd love to prove to myself how much I've improved and how much stronger me and my legs have become. To do it for charity would make this goal even more fulfilling.
Treat yo' self
Invest in the comfiest of mattresses - I know I just turned 25, not 85. But a good night's sleep and somewhere to relax/recover from another IBS flare up is a big essential for me. My current mattress certainly needs replacing. So it might be time to cross this one off my list ASAP.
Spend a day at a spa - As I mentioned above, I rarely relax when on holiday. So it would be nice to spend a day or an overnight stay away from home at a spa. And completely switch off.
Get a massage - And whilst at said spa, I finally need to treat myself to a massage. Suffering from trapped wind in my back as a result of my IBS can feel totally debilitating. And I have a feeling that a massage would just release some of that tension and soreness.
Taking my blog/work to the next level
Take a photography course - Despite taking photographs on an almost daily basis for this here blog. I really have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to aperture, lenses and all that jazz. It's time to finally make the switch from automatic mode. And to learn how to actually use my camera to it's full potential.
Make more videos and get better at editing - On a similar note, I'd love to get back into YouTube. I finally bit the bullet and started my YouTube channel last year. But it didn't last too long. Watching videos by Anna and Alix in particular, make me want to learn how to really film and edit to the extent where I'm proud of my videos.
Start vlogging - Even though I may not lead the most interesting of lives. Documenting the little things as well as the big things, would be amazing to look back on. From trips abroad to trips to the local supermarket. I enjoy watching other bloggers and YouTubers do just that. And that way I'll be able to look back on some of the moments as the years presumably fly by. Would you be interested in watching?
Get writing
Write for Stylist - If I could write for any publication it would be Stylist. It's time to hustle hard and work towards this goal.
Finally start that novel I've had in my head for years - I used to write short stories all the time when I was younger but once life got a little more hectic (Uni/work/blogging/life in general) I completely abandoned any writing. I've had an idea for a Lindsey Kelk/Sophie Kinsella style novel in my head since about the age of 18 and I'd love to actually write it down. Nothing has to even happen with it/from it but just to have done it would be an accomplishment in itself.
Fun & memorable moments
Go to a movie premiere/the BAFTAs - Whilst some of these are certainly more achievable and realistic than others, this one is one of those ones that might never happen but how amazing would it be if it did?
Spend the 4th of July in America - This has been on my to-do list ever since I first visited the US at the age of 11. As I've only been on family holidays, up until this point, we've never visited in the Summer months but my trip to New York this years falls precisely during this time. I'm really looking forward to seeing all of the 4th of July fireworks in the city that never sleeps.
Take a photograph every day for a year - A few years ago I used to post a photo on Instagram every single day without fail. That doesn't happen anymore but it was lovely to look back at the year that was through it. Even if I don't post the photos online, it would be great to document an entire year. Maybe this is one to do in the last year of my twenties... What do we think?
Read at least 6 books a year - For some this might sound like nothing at all but for some reason or another I buy/receive books with the greatest of intentions only for them to lay unopened and unread. As someone who studied English at University, I do miss getting completely lost in a book, so my aim is to read one every 2 months/6 a year. Now that sounds like a rather achievable goal now doesn't it?
Take my parents out for a fancy dinner - Even though we're the type of family who far prefer something simple like fish n' chips or a curry from our favourite Indian takeaway, I'd really like to treat my parents to a fancy dinner to say thanks to them for everything they've done for me over the years. I don't think I could ever repay them but a nice meal should go down well. I could maybe even do this when we're next all in the States in 2018 and go somewhere like Wolfgang Puck's Grand Cafe at Disney.
Get things in order
Massively streamline my wardrobe - Now I'm not talking about creating a capsule wardrobe or anything like that here but rather making smarter choices when it comes to buying, getting rid of anything I've not worn in the past year or season and drastically reducing the amount of clothes I hoard. I currently have two wardrobes and two large six drawer units jam packed full of clothes and nobody needs that amount of clothes. Nobody.
Learn to drive - It's been on every single New Year's resolution list/to-do list that I've ever written and yet I still haven't got around to it. I started learning at the age of 16 but got spooked one day on a main road and never got back in the driver's seat again. Having just turned 25, it's almost been 10 years(!!) since. I'm really keen to learn in an automatic but the prices for lessons are a little bit unreal and not in a good way. I think I might just need to put some money aside for it and that way it won't feel like such a massive amount coming out of my bank account. Does anyone have any tips for getting back into driving in their twenties?
Back up my computer on the regular - Even though I'm pretty much constantly glued to my laptop and rely on it for my work and blog, I never back it up, which I think we can all agree is rather silly. I also just watched that episode of Sex and the City, you know the one, where Carrie's laptop dies on her, which always gives me the fear of the same thing happening to me. By having this as one of my goals, hopefully it will give me the kick up the backside that I need to buy an external hard drive and save regularly.
Have a proper skincare routine - Whilst I always remove my makeup at the end of the day, it's normally in a rush and I only exfoliate once in a blue moon. After giving myself a DIY facial at a recent blog event (see more here) and being blown away by the results, now is good a time as any to put together a proper skincare routine. To have one that includes a proper cleanser (not just makeup wipes), toner, exfoliator, moisturiser, eye cream and serum is a goal that I know will pay off in the long term, even if I need to start investing in it and myself more.
Love what I'm doing/where I am - Last but not least a bit of a vague one. I've always liked the adage; 'if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life' and it's one that I hope to have realised by the age of 30. Instead of taking a job solely for the money, working towards my goal of one day writing for a magazine/working at one and feeling settled in what I'm doing/where I'm living would be the dream.
Have you got a list of goals that you'd like to achieve before reaching a certain age or by a certain point in your life? If so, do we have any goals in common? And how many do you think I will accomplish?
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