30 things to (d̶o̶ ̶b̶e̶f̶o̶r̶e̶) Rock my 30’s – Travel and Lifestyle Bucket List

Last month marked my milestone birthday and whilst browsing through my travel memorabilia box, I came across my ’30 things to do before 30′ bucket list.

After reading it and realizing I’d only ticked half the items off, it got me thinking about how little I felt I’d achieved.

I hadn’t yet bought a house, visited South East Asia or even had a career in plan.

Instead, I spent my twenties jumping from job to job in an attempt to beat the recession and wasted time running around after dickhead ex-boyfriends.

What had I being doing?

One item in particular on my list was to embark on a gap year to New Zealand, so I jumped online to check the age requirements for a visa, I was too old to do it anymore and it broke my heart.

In a world surrounded by competition and comparison, we are made to feel like failures for not achieving the ‘norms’ of what are expected of us by a certain age –

…and by the time the big 30 came around, I was shitting myself.

I turned to other blogs for ideas and inspiration on ways to embrace my new milestone but all I could find were bucket lists titled –

‘Thirty things to do BEFORE you turn thirty’

So I decided to create my own spin on it.

Not having completed your ’30 before 30′ bucket list doesn’t make you a failure.
Or feeling defeated by our 20 something counterparts who have.

This mentality has to change.

So you know what? So what if I hadn’t been to New Zealand yet, it will still be there later.

So for this updated list I decided to take on a slightly different approach and re-write the rules, aim for new goals and scrap what no longer feels beneficial.

Not only do I want to focus on travel but I also wanted to include more enriching life goals.

Using my twenties as a reflection guide, here are 30 things I want to ROCK in my thirties.

I hope this inspires some of you to set new goals and be okay with the fact that hey, we get distracted. Lets make our thirties even better.

So here’s my new travel and lifestyle bucket list:

1. Attend a Travel Writing Retreat
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve seen Pink Pangea advertise a travel writing retreat. I always thought I wouldn’t be very good in comparison to the other writers. Until I realized that we were all there for the same reason, to learn.

2. Learn Spanish
I’ve been saying I wanted to learn for years, I bought the books, downloaded the apps and even tried my had at practicing whilst travelling around Spain. I gave up because I didn’t feel confident enough to speak out publicly and worried about being embarrassed, when really the best way is to make and learn from the mistakes.

3. Go to Finland
Even before attending Finnish language classes back in 2009 I obsessed over visiting this mystery country. Despite travelling around Europe for the past 13 years I still haven’t been. Perhaps it was the price putting me off, or that I was low key worried that it wouldn’t be as magical as imagined, either way I still want to get my ass over there.

4. Move out! Properly
No more cruise cabins and shared accommodation with annoying house mates. Even though I still don’t feel ready for a mortgage I would still like to rent my own apartment. Possibly one with a high view over the skyline.

5. Volunteer for a cause I believe in
This one is pretty self explanatory, I want to get out there and help out with more charities. Homelessness along with mental health and emotional distress is an ever growing issue in my home town. I would like to get on board and do my part to help these people. Even if it just requires a listening ear.

6. Visit Myanmar
Myanmar has always been a quite an unusual place I have wanted to visit, purely because I hear so little. I’ve always wanted to admire the beautiful architecture of Shwedagon Pagoda. Forever fascinated with uniquely special builds. Maybe in a past life I was an architect.

7. Attend Photography Classes
My DSLR has been sat gathering dust for months, it’s time to branch out and learn some skills. A fear of mine is being approached by another photographer and me not understanding what they are talking about. Silly I know but a task I wish to remedy and of course to build confidence.

8. Visit family in Australia
I’ll never forget the Christmas I witnessed my Australian cousin experience snow for the first time, she ran straight into the garden, no shoes! (Her first time in the UK)

I want to experience that feeling for something new in Australia and have the opportunity to get to know my long distance family some more.

9. Blogging to the next level
My hobby, my side hustle. I’d love to turn blogging into a real job on the side. I’m still in the very early stages.

It took me years to finally take the plunge and throw myself into the world of blogging and I’m so glad I followed my heart.

10. Be more daring
No longer do I want my anxieties to get in the way of living, I want to be more daring and chase the adrenaline rush, like going skydiving or bungee jumping.

11. Visit Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
You only need to see the photos to see what i’m talking about.

12. Learn to fall in love again
I’m just going with the flow on this one. No rush.

13. Hang Gliding in Rio de Janerio
A friend of mine worked for British Airways and would share her stories with me from all around the world, one particular tale was her experience of hang gliding in Rio and how free and exhilarated she felt.

I’d love to experience that feeling too.

14. Visit the Bolivian Salt Flats
A popular choice amongst travelers but for obvious reasons, I’ve found photos online and have never seen anything else quite like it. The first time was whilst watching a ‘Where the hell is Matt 2008’ video. It looked like he was walking through the air.

15. Get my UK drivers licence
I drove a little whilst living in California and hated it. It actually made me realize just how much more civilized us Brits do drive back home. Every other day I would witness pile ups on the highway. It truly was a scary experience for me.

This time I’ll take my dad’s advice and learn to drive a manual stick shift.

16. Visit Plitvice Lakes National Parks in Croatia
Unfortunately I missed out during my last visit to Croatia, I fell sick with a really bad cold but I have every intention of visiting again. I badly want to visit this beautiful national park and explore the waterfalls.

17. Dip my toes in another Ocean
I’ve visited both the Atlantic and Pacific but I want to venture out to other seas such as the Indian Ocean.

Its just something I find quite accomplishing to do.

I’ve even contemplated dipping my toes in the Arctic ocean but have a feeling I may regret freezing my feet off.

18. Visit the end of the world in Ushuaia, Argentina
A little more out of the ordinary but what is there not to love about wanting to visiting one of the southernmost towns in the South American continent, the only way south from there is Antarctica.

19. Try Yoga and meditation
For years I’ve struggled with costochondritis and would love to tackle this issue in a more healthier and organic way.

A way which doesn’t involve pumping myself with tablets/medicine.

This I plan to start once I move to the beach later this year.

New place, new start. A perfect hobby to practice.

20. Write a book
Oh yes I went there. If there’s anything I want to leave behind after I’m gone it’s a book. As for subject matter I am unsure yet, possibly a travel memoir.

Stay tuned.

21. Work for my dream company
It’s no secret, I want to get back into aviation. No more corporate offices or short haul turnarounds. I wish to go all the way and work for my favorite airline/travel company.

Side note: What most people don’t know is that I’m also a BA collector. I have accumulated books, tags, tickets and even airplane figures. Some may call me sad but I love it.

Anything to keep me motivated to achieve.

22. Take a road trip around Alaska
Most folks would choose Route 66, however I would love to take a trip from Washington State and through Canada and up into Alaska, stopping off at some of the most natural beauty spots along the way. Away from deserts and busy city life. Just me, the car and a tent.

23. Ride the Trans Siberian Railway
This one I simply cannot explain why, I just have this urge to take the worlds longest train journey. The idea of sitting and watching the world pass by seems so peaceful to me… and a perfect way to catch up with blogging and getting to know other travelers.

Maybe even learn a few Russian phrases too.

24. Take a flying lesson
This one is really pushing myself out of my comfort zone but something I would like to try anyways, I may love it or completely crap myself.

I once looked into taking flying lessons at my local airport but felt I could never do it due to the cost. Nowadays I just think screw it and have a blow out for once.

Give it a shot, even if its just the one lesson.

25. Create Travel Vlogs
I already have a couple of mini travel vlogs on my YouTube channel but I’ve never really bothered to share them as I know they’re pretty poor quality.
Now I have a shiny new DSLR camera with a ‘record video’ function, I’m eager to try it out.

26. Dye my hair a crazy color
I’ve always played it safe with either copper highlights or a full head of dark burgundy. For once in my life I want to try a crazy color such as mossy green or electric blue. Purely for fun and because many of my previous jobs haven’t allowed me to do it.

27. See the northern lights
Either in Iceland, Finland or Canada, this too is a popular item on many peoples bucket lists but I want to experience the Northern lights, just to be in awe of something absolutely unique.

28. Take a tour around South East Asia
Where would I begin with this?
Please if you have any itinerary suggestions then hit me up in the comments.

29. Take my parents on holiday
For once in my life I hope to be in a position where I am able to afford to take my parents on holiday, after all they have done for me, they deserve something special. A wonderful opportunity to spend some quality time together.

30. Take a year out
Lastly, the big one.
I hope to take a year out to go explore the world. The ultimate goal on my bucket list.
If not in my thirties then I hope to be well on my way and prepared for my fourties.

After all they say life begins at forty.

So why not aim big?

I hope this post has inspired some of you to get creative with your bucket lists and to remind you that life is not a race.
Who cares if you haven’t ticked off all your 30 before 30 lists.
Embrace your thirties and set new boundaries and goals.

They don’t all have to be extravagant travel goals, set some time aside for self care and development.

You got this!

Lastly I hope you enjoyed this post and I look forward to connecting with you. If you wish to add something or share with me your ‘Rockin 30’s’ goals then leave a comment below or hit me up on social media.
I look forward to chatting with you.

XO

PS: Where are all my blogging thirty-something sisters at?’