We’re about 8 months away from D-Day (turning 30) and life is changing dramatically. I won’t have done everything on my bucket list, but I will have done most, and then some. Plus, much to my surprise, I’ll be a mom before May. I mean, unless this kid wants to camp out for an extra 3 months.
Going freelance has been an incredible experience. It was absolutely terrifying and not always gratifying – particularly as I found out about our impending child mere days before my first day as a self-employed person. However, it really sometimes does feel like everything works out as it should. That first month of self-employment was an exhausting time of sickness for me, so although I was frustrated about not being as productive as I wanted, I couldn’t have asked for better timing. Beginning my first FT contract gig has been a great lesson in how this whole thing should work (and it’s been wonderful!), and also forced Brandon and me to budget more than we ever have before just to ensure we are good to go in cashflow times both positive and negative. We even met with a financial consultant who was ultimately very encouraging, although his suggestion that we aim to retire at 67 with $14M seemed like a bit of a stretch. Come on. If you have $10M at age 60, you’re not working that next 7 years. (And in all seriousness, like we’ll ever have that kind of money?!)
So where do we leave this crazy list of mine? Let’s take a quick look – as it’s unlikely to change before my birthday.
30. Climb a mountain.
29. Run a 10k.
28. Nail a handstand in yoga.
27. Get spiritual.
EDUCATION
26. Learn a language.
25. Master a skill.
24. Read some books that actually mean something.
23. Develop some knowledge about cars.
TRAVEL
22. Visit Thailand.
21. Take a trip with my Dad.
20. See a Wonder of the World.
19. Take a cross-country road trip with Brandon.
LIFE CHANGES
18. Volunteer regularly somewhere for at least 6 months.
17. Turn off the T.V. for a week.
16. Finish my book.
MONEY MATTERS
15. Invest in 5 diversified stocks.
14. Build retirement fund.
I mean, it’s no $14M, but we’ve been saving.
13. Own a second home.
EVOLVE MY RELATIONSHIPS
12. Get closer with my sister.
11. Go on a walk at least once a week with Brandon.
10. Try something more sexually adventurous than usual.
9. Be a good in-law.
8. Send a real letter to a friend every month for a year.
TEST MY LIMITS
7. Zip line.
6. Participate in a big cultural event like a music festival or Oktoberfest.
5. Swim with a shark. Or at least sting rays.
4. Learn to surf. Or at least try.
3. Be personally responsible for winning a big piece of business.
2. Perform in a play or musical.
PERSONAL SATISFACTION
1. Learn to be happy just as I am.
I’m actually closer to this one than I’ve ever been before. Go figure.
30 Before 30 