30 Before 30 Challenge | Things to do in your Twenties

I wanted to do something different for my 2018 goals. I’m turning 30 in November and I want to do 30 things before I turn 30 to make my last year in my twenties incredible so that I walk into my thirties as the best version of myself! Fair warning – this is a long one, so if you just want to see the list, scroll to the bottom!

It’s officially my last year in my twenties!!! AHHHH!!!! What a crazy feeling!! I remember when my older sister turned 21 and I thought that was so OLD . But when I turned 21, I didn’t feel particularly old… even now, I can’t believe that I’m almost 30 years young (see what I did there?).

As a society, we place WAY too much emphasis on age and it has a tendency of putting expectations on how you should behave, dress and what you should accomplish at each stage in life.

If you think about it, what is age? It’s just a number. It’s an indication of how long you’ve LIVED and shouldn’t dictate who you should be. You’re not defined by your age. Your age doesn’t determine who you are, who you should be and what you should have accomplished in your lifetime. These are all based on societal norms and expectations and I say F*CK IT!

[bctt tweet=”You’re not defined by your age. You are the sum of your experiences and what you’ve done in life but most importantly, who you are as an individual” username=”seppyforlove”]

I started feeling nervous about “getting older” when I turned 25 years old, which seems like ages ago (pun intended). I got even more nervous when people started reacting when they found out that I was turning 25. They would say things that would made me feel like I’m an adult and have to take things more seriously. So you can only imagine what people are telling me now that I’m turning 30.

For those who know me, I’m a child at heart (my hubby can attest to that) and I never want to change that, whether I’m 30 years old or 70 years young.

I decided that I don’t want to be afraid of getting older. I don’t want to be embarrassed about my age and I certainly don’t want my identity to be defined by societal expectations about where I should be in my life at a certain age.

[bctt tweet=”Embrace your age – be proud of the life you’ve lived! ” username=”seppyforlove”]

Instead, I’m going to set my own standards and my own expectations for myself. I’m going to define my identity by my character, personality and who I am as a person.

I will not be afraid of the years passing by because I’m being mindful every day so that life doesn’t pass me by. I sit and reflect on a daily basis so that I can soak in the good memories and take away the lessons I learned so that tomorrow can be an even better day.

[bctt tweet=”Set your own standards, live by your values and set your expectations for yourself instead of trying to live up to someone else’s” username=”seppyforlove”]

Now isn’t that a better way to live than be worried about aging?! I sure think so!

Why waste time worrying about the future and the inevitable that we can’t change : time goes by and we can’t stop, so might as well enjoy every moment. Who’s with me?!

I believe that when you consciously choose a more empowering and positive meaning about any situation, it instantly makes it SO much better. That’s why for 2018, I wanted to make my goals even more fun than usual.

I have a good feeling about this year and there are things that I want to do before I turn thirty. Why? Because I think it’s a fun way to celebrate my twenties and a more empowering way to step into my thirties. This is also a great way to challenge myself to do some of the things that I’ve been wanting to do for so long!

[bctt tweet=”Stop wasting time worrying about the future and live in the NOW! Don’t let the day go by – live every day to its fullest” username=”seppyforlove”]

So here is my list of 30 before 30. I encourage you to think about the things that you would like to accomplish in your lifetime so that you can start doing them RIGHT NOW! Put some spice and excitement into your life and challenge yourself. Do something FUN!

[bctt tweet=”Three rules to follow when you’re setting goals: make them FUN, CHALLENGING & EMPOWERING! ” username=”seppyforlove”] 

{ Challenge # 1 | Start & grow my business }

It will be one year in February since I launched Elle is for Love so now comes the time to implement all the exciting ideas I have! Stay tuned! Make sure to sign up to the Mailing List to be the first to know!

{ Challenge # 2 | Reach fitness goals } 

At this point, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard me talk about my fitness goals either on the blog, Instagram or Twitter. After a few setbacks, I know what I need to do to achieve these goals and I. Am. PUMPED! I have the knowledge, resources and support to make it happen…and it’s going to happen!

{ Challenge # 3 | Buy a Givenchy Mini Antigona }

I know this is a HUGE splurge but it’s something that I’ve been wanting for a while. I’m also using this as motivation for my business. It will be my way of celebrating reaching my goals this year. This is also helping me be mindful about spending so that I can put money aside towards this “little” gift to myself.

{ Challenge # 4 | Cook a 3-course gourmet meal }

I’ve always wanted to be an amazing cook. There’s something special about cooking for your family. I got that mentality from my Mom because she always cooked for us and to me, it felt like one of the ways she showed us love.

But the reality is that I don’t have enough time to cook as much as I’d like and it had to fall to wayside.

Luckily, I have enough foundational knowledge of cooking so I think it would be fun to at least cook a full 3-course meal! We’ll see if I have the courage to invite anyone or if my only victim will be my husband (but shhh, don’t tell him).

{ Challenge # 5 | Face & overcome one fear }

One thing that I realized with fears is that it’s sometimes irrational. I know that it sometimes it isn’t completely irrational…

Story time: I’m deathly scared of spiders because when we lived in Africa, a spider bit my right arm and it was swollen, in pain and full of puss for DAYS! I was traumatized. So I’m not about to go hold a tarantula. No thank you.

I want to challenge myself and face a fear (other than the spider), in the hopes of overcoming it because life is too short to limit ourselves and let fear come in the way of experiences.

[bctt tweet=”Don’t let fear stop you from living life & experiencing new things. Face and overcome at least ONE fear this year!” username=”seppyforlove”] 

{ Challenge # 6 | Take a baking class }

Something else that I’ve been wanting to do for so long! Can you tell that I love cooking and baking?! The good thing is that I already have class in mind so now it’s just a matter of planning it!

{ Challenge # 7 | Fly first class }

I’ve been lucky enough to have traveled a lot and I’m so grateful for that. So this might seem like another one of those “Is this really necessary?”

Let’s be honest, it’s not, but it’s fun so why the heck not?! I’ve always seen other passengers sitting comfortably in their huge seats being served drinks in actual glassware so I want to try it out for once because #YOLO!

[bctt tweet=”Sometimes you just gotta say F*CK it and #YOLO! ” username=”seppyforlove”]

 { Challenge # 8 | Read one book per month }

This is self-explanatory but I want to do it mainly as a way to maintain and grow a habit that I’ve developed and enjoy a lot.

{ Challenge # 9 | Get a facial }

As someone who enjoys pamper sessions, I’m surprised at myself that I’ve never had a facial! I guess it’s one of those things that feel really luxurious.

But this is the year of luxuries apparently haha! Any recommendations on what to look for when I’m trying to find a place?

{ Challenge # 10 | Drive more }

This is a mildly embarrassing one. I hate driving. I get REALLY nervous (borderline anxious) when I drive.

Story time: I had my learner’s permit for … wait for it… EIGHT years. Embarrassing right?! I finally got my full license 2 years ago but I RARELY drive. I avoid it like the plague.

But I know that driving on my own will give me a LOT more flexibility so I want to challenge myself and start driving more often. I’m going to ease myself into it and start with once per week.

{ Challenge # 11 | Do a 30-day yoga challenge }

I love yoga, but I don’t do it often enough. I will always opt for an intense gym session rather than a yoga session so I want to try doing it more often because I see instant physical and psychological effects when I practice yoga!

{ Challenge # 12 |  Get a second ear piercing }

Another one that I’ve been wanting to do for SO long and … it’s gonna happen! (And in might be happening TODAY! Stay tuned on Instagram!)

{ Challenge # 13 |  Learn a new piece of piano }

Fun fact: I played piano for almost 8 years and I miss it a lot. It was so therapeutic. Sometimes I would sit and play the same piece over and over again and go in a trance.

There’s been a One Republic piece that I’ve been wanting to play for years so.. it’s happening (I think this is the 2nd or 3rd time I say that in this post…).

{ Challenge # 14 | Do a 30-day sugar detox }

Self-explanatory…I’ve done it before and it feels great!

{ Challenge # 15 | Take a dancing class }

Another fun fact about me is that I used to want to be a professional dancer.

That clearly didn’t happen.

As an alternative, I’m going to take a class and I’m thinking belly dancing! I’m Persian so I already know the basics, but I want to learn more advanced techniques.

{ Challenge # 16 | Write a will and testament }

I know, not as fun as the others … but necessary… anyone have any advice on where to start!? Cuz your girl hasn’t got the SLIGHTEST clue.

Story time: When I was 6 or 7 years old, I wrote a will and testament where I calculated percentages of how much was going to each of my sisters’ and parents’ (N.B. I had like $50 in the bank…), who was getting my stuffed animals etc. I don’t know where I got the idea from but..there you have it.

{ Challenge # 17 | Get finances in order }

Another less fun one but I want to feel more in control of my finances to make sure that I’m being smart with my money and that I’m setting myself up for a comfortable future.

{ Challenge # 18 | Take a boxing class }

My trainer made me do a bit of boxing and it was SO much fun! It was an amazing way to release negative energy! The great part is that I already found a boxing studio close to our place so I just have to figure out when to go in the next few weeks!!

{ Challenge # 19 | Buy a piece of art }

Because that seems like something that I would enjoy doing and I would be able to keep forever.

{ Challenge # 20 | Get a temporary tattoo }

I’ve always loved tattoos but I think I’m too chicken to get a real one. So here’s the next best thing! There are temporary tattoos that last a couple of weeks so I’ll be able to enjoy it for a bit (or I’ll love it so much I’ll get a real one).

{ Challenge # 21 | Learn how to style my hair }

This might seem silly but my hair is ALWAYS in a bun because I don’t know wtf to do with it. Time to learn!! I find that if your hair is done, you can pretty much wear any outfit and you can still look put-together!

{ Challenge # 22 | Go to a restaurant alone }

For some reason, there are things that I LOVE doing alone like jogging or shopping, but going to a restaurant … seems … embarrassing haha. Not that I judge anyone that does, but I think I’m too shy to sit alone and eat a meal at a restaurant.

{ Challenge # 23 | Get something monogrammed }

Because I want to. It seems fun to have a notebook or stationary with my initials on it…

{ Challenge # 24 | Bake an elaborate dessert }

I’m thinking an ombre cake with ombre rosette decorations! I LOVE baking but … I’m not gonna bake and eat it myself… who wants to come over??

{ Challenge # 25 | Clear out and update wardrobe }

I still have pieces that I’ve had for almost 10 years – time to minimize and UPDATE!

{ Challenge # 26 | Document 30 before 30 }

I want to remember this experience of doing things for myself and challenging myself, so what better way to do that by taking pictures? Let me know if you’d be interested in seeing a recap!

{ Challenge # 27 | Do a service project }

I used to volunteer a LOT more and I remember it brought me a lot of joy and meaning into my life. I want to go back to that so that I’m living on a daily basis with the mindset of helping others, in small ways like keeping the door open, or in bigger ways like going to clean a park!

{ Challenge # 28 | Run 5K in 30 minutes }

I only started running last summer and ran a 5K and was able to beat my goal! So I want to challenge myself again and set a new goal.

{ Challenge # 29 | Be confident and know my worth }

2017 was a turning point in my life – I learned so much about myself and the tools that I need to continuously grow as an individual.

I want this year to be an even bigger year of personal growth where I learn to love myself FULLY so that I can confident and value my self-worth.

[bctt tweet=”Love yourself and know your self-worth ” username=”seppyforlove”]

{ Challenge # 30 | Go to blogging/biz conference }

This would definitely put my out of my comfort zone because I don’t generally like to put myself in social situations if I’m alone, but I know this can be beneficial on a personal AND professional level.

What are some things you’d like to accomplish in your life? Don’t wait, START NOW! 

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