So apparently I have good ideas. Sometimes.
The other day I wrote a post about how other bloggers have started to BELIEVE ME when I say that creating a “Before I Turn… List” actually works. Kind of like the way when you write a grocery list and the food you need/want sort of ends up in your cart and somehow appears in your kitchen and then in your mouth, feeding you and nourishing your brain. Kind of like that. Only a Birthday List is 10x more awesome, because it can score you things that are equally as fulfilling as food, but better, like success or accolade or a tattoo or a vespa or peace of mind or money or a dream job, or all of that. It all starts with a List, just like your favorite dish. That’s not a coincidence.
So, without further hold up, stop what you’re doing at work because THIS will be the best post you read all day. It’s by the lovely and humorous Cheryl, creator and purveyor of Confessions of a Twenty-Something Year Old, which has amassed a well-deserved following for her poignant to-the-point posts about shit that’s relevant to 20somethings and that 30ishes wished they thought of 10 years ago. Seriously. She’s a gal with sass and she takes her Venti straight up, like a real woman.
Take it away, Cheryl.
You know how sometimes you read a motivational blog, and on the sidebar, the blogger has written a whole list of things he/she wants to accomplish before a certain age?
Yeah, okay. I vowed to never come up with one of those lists- mostly because the people who write those lists actually attempt to do the things they’ve written, but not me. I’m lazy, which means I allow life to roll its own course, and should one of these things happen to me, then great; but if not, I’m not particularly bummed. My cousin, Jacqueline, once said something about how if you have no expectations in life, you can have no disappointments, and as morbid as that may be, I am pretty much stoked everyday of my life, which means that her theory has to be at least partially true. But anyway, the other day, I opened my inbox to find a really long e-mail from Sandyb asking me to guestblog a “things I want to do before …” list for her. Of course, my first thought was “ah, crap” because making this list would mean that I would have to do some serious soul-searching. But whatever. Sandyb is awesome, so I’d do it for her. So here I am, and after 72 hours of obsessing over all the crap I haven’t done in my life, I’ve come up with the following.
The Top 20 things I’d like to do before 30- because 30 things would require too much thought:
1. Write for a magazine.
2. Study graphic design.
3. Live in Australia.
4. Become featured blogger.
5. Get through one morning without having to look for my keys.
6. Get through one day without using my cellphone or some sort of chat device.
7. Learn to speak Spanish perfectly.
8. Learn to play the guitar.
9. Finish writing a song.
10. Write and publish a novel.
11. Make a difference in someone’s life.
12. Own a dog
13. Completely stop saying “like” and “um” in every conversation, unless necessary.
14. Be less critical.
15. Find out whether it’s actually possible to be friends with an ex.
16. Be cliche, and do something supposedly incredibly romantic like visit Paris with my boyfriend.
17. Get married.
18. Change my look- because it’s been the same for 7 years. Seriously.
19. Drink less coffee, because at this rate I’m going to die before 30.
20. Watch the Leafs win the Stanley Cup.
***
UPDATE: Wow! I should use invite Cheryl more often. Seriously though, the responses here are great (keep ‘em coming!) and my inbox has equally awesome messages about this. BUT, I need to clear something up: Your “Birthday List” starts and ends on YOUR BIRTHDAY, not necessarily at 30, which is a long ways away for a lot of you (so jealous, by the way).
If your birthday has passed or is seven months off or whatever, don’t sweat it. You can STILL MAKE A LIST OF THINGS TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE YOUR NEXT BIRTHDAY (why am I yelling?). Most folks are bummed about turning another year older- a Birthday List, however, helps change that, because it’s the day on which, if you complete your List, you’ve accomplished so much. See what I did there? I reverse-psychologied aging. And yes, that does make me a mild genius in some circles (albeit some very small circles, but they’re circles, nonetheless).
Again, would love to host your List over here, but if you decide to just post on your own blog, totally cool, just link it back to here. Spread the love and give this little project some legs!
xo
sb
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I have many of the same goals. A tip for the “like” and “um” conundrum – While I still use “like” and “um” during casual conversation, I have all but eliminated them from my vocabulary while working in a professional setting by speaking more slowly, allowing my brain to actually stay on pace with my mouth. I’m trying to teach myself that sometimes silence is golden, because I tend to try to fill every moment with blather. It’s a work in progress.
Great list and a great blog! I’m glad I stumbled over in this direction and found you, as I’m turning 30 this year and it’s made me remember a similar list that I drew up when I left university. Blimey, am I nearly 30? Argh!
http://search-for-the-perfect10.blogspot.com
get married? wtf!
sorry sorry, temporary insanity.
this is a fantastic list- i may steal some of these ;)
Chelsea, you should post yours here. Just because.
Seriously though.
YES. i second that! POST, CHELSEA!
i’m the kind of person who just go with the flow too. however, for the sake of the upcoming effing interview, i’ve to come up with my future career plan. which totally sucks because, hey, can’t a doc be a doc without actually plan to become one?
since when a person cant have a so-called “talent” to become a doc? – i was about to make that theory somewhat valid now i suppose i have to ditch my superawesome plan.
well, cheryl is always awesomer.
A simple and intelleignt point, well made. Thanks!
Love these. As for number five, I inadvertently solved it for myself: when I moved into my apartment, the previous tenant left up a hook she’d installed by the front door. I’ve trained myself to hang my keys up on it immediately (they’re already in my hand after unlocking said door!) and it’s saved me untold hours of aggravation so far.
And this is why you’re at the top of my “people I heart most, but I’ve never met” list..
If you ever actually do #3, let me know, ‘cuz I’d totally be right there with you . . .
Also, who wouldn’t love comments from you? Just sayin’ . . . :)
Definately the best #20 before 30 list I’ve ever seen..(Don’t ask how many..) I can agree with you on the book finish/publish part. That would find itself somewhere near the top of my list. However, I can’t make a list.. It’s just so unfit for my lifestyle. That doesn’t mean I don’t have goals and ambitions. We all do. Mine just prefer to stay securely in my head. :)
Great Post!
Sandy! Love the new look, I’ve been on vacation in every sense of the word- spent 12 days in Puerto Rico and out of my head! It was fab! P.S. you are fab! Seriously diggin the new layout and I am all for making lists— I think I have one around here somewhere… :)
Ya, I thought I’d clean up a little ’round here. Glad you dig the new space! Nice to have you back, too. I was wondering where you were.
That’s a great idea Sandy ! I’ll add a link to this post on my 30 before 30 list (http://aritza-goddess.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-30-before-30-list.html) so people can read Cheryl’s and the other’s :o)
I think your number 4 will happen very soon Cheryl :) *fingers crosses* I’m confident ! I’m definitely on board with numbers 7 (spanish), 12 (dog) and 17 (married) .. but I’m not putting married on my list because well .. that’s not entirely up to me to make it happen .. and I don’t wanna be disappointed if it doesn’t happen (and there’s nothing I can do about it) .. you know ?
Anywho, great list ;o) CIAO ! Go Leafs !!
Yes! Please do and thanks!
Haha I love #6. I was just talking to a coworker about trying to go a whole day without my phone. It’d be nearly impossible… unless I was on some tropical paradise with the man of my dreams… and an amazing fruity alcoholic beverage… and the island happened to lack reception.
Good luck with your list!
No phone? THINK IT OVER!
I’ve had one of these lists ever since I watched that episode of Friends where they all turn 30, and Phoebe had a list for every year. So I made one for Before I Turn 25, and Before I Turn 30 (both here: http://www.girlandcity.com/about/life-list/). We both have “learn Spanish” in common! I’m making good progress, although my list is huge so I may have to move some of the “before 25″ to the “before 30″ list, hehe. That wouldn’t count as cheating, would it? I just don’t think I can LIVE in California AND Singapore in the next three years.
I have 8 more years for 30 and i have so much time to come up with a list. But yeah, i would love to publish a novel and also stop using like in like every sentence (there i go again) :P.
Eight. More. Years.
Get off this blog!
Kidding, kidding.
Create a List that ends on your next birthday… that’s the intent of it, really. Doesn’t have to be before 30, etc (I just happened to be turning 30 is all). You should go for it!
I actually did this right before I turned 25 last year… and made a whole separate blog for it. I did really well and did like 8 things and then it’s sort of stagnated… but I blame the fact that it’s winter and snowy and blah and motivation is nil. Anywho, it’s here: http://www.mythirtythings.com if anyone cares. :)
Ok, why did you stop? Your blog is great! Just throwing it out there, but why not invigorate it with something you can IN THE COLD?
I know, I know. I need to get back on it!! Thanks for the push :)
Sandyb I am down for writing a list and being on here. Let me know when.
http://liliumsrealm.blogspot.com/ or we can go with http://rantingitout.blogspot.com/ where I write with my friend
Cheyrl, I love your list, I have to put number 5 and 7 on mine too.
I’d love you to! I’ll pop over to get your deets.
Did this a long time ago…back when I was in school. So I had posted this one on my blog. But 20? really? I had 150 on my list…and it’s nowhere near completed. I might just die before everything gets done. Or I turn 30.
http://sublimecreativity.blogspot.com/2009/03/150-things-to-do-before-you-turn-thirty.html
150? You rocked us both.
So glad she brought me over to your blog! Love it, and you crack me up! Can’t wait to read more,and I LOVE LISTS…like freakishly keep lists in my phone, in my purse, etc. etc….so we’re bound to get along!
can’t wait to read more!
Thanks Julie! Loving all this company today. Archive away!
i have a feeling number 4′s gonna be happening real soon ;)
Leafs win the cup?? Honey, that probably won’t happen before you turn 40 if it ever happens at all. But it’s great to have dreams. But like your cousin said, if you have no expectations, you have no disappointments and this surely falls under that category! (sorry, I’m from the west coast…)
Oh, but NOT a Flames fan.
I posted my list yesterday… it was my birthday so that seemed like a good time. Cheryl, how long have you got left for yours?
until 30? errm… 6 years and 7 months.
Lucky you. My 30th will be in 2 months #FML and I’ve had a lot of coffee in my life, I drink it since age 2, 5 cups a day and still haven’t died. I may drop dead very soon though. I guess I’m resilient like that. ;)
Great post, Cheryl :)
Your 30th is this year, eh? I’m so visiting your blog!
Happy birthday Rachel! I’ll have to check that out!
i’ve studied graphic design. cliche romantic would be fun. i would like to write and publish a novel too.
It’s midnight here in Toronto… why are you both up?
And, um, can we talk about ME now?
Kidding.
Cheryl, you rock my socks!
Mysterg, be my Valentine.
P.S. Flames all the way!
wait wait, did you just say… you said Flames all the way? … I don’t.. I don’t even know what to do with myself right now. I’m so confused. WE HAD SOMETHING!
I’m sorry, I couldn’t help but notice you said you wanted to watch the Leafs win a Stanley Cup.
So, once I’d finished laughing and picked myself up off the floor (and washed the laugh-pee off myself, my clothes, and the floor) I decided I would send my sympathies and remind you that the Bruins are the better hockey team, and if you mention Phil kessel I will slap you, I don’t care if you look like a Disney character.
That’s all.
Oh, and thanks for the postings, dollface. Good stuff.
…. GO LEAFS GO!!!
nobody supports me.
@Cheryl – You’ve already achieved number eleven with me…seriously…and number four isn’t far behind.
@SandyB – I’ll guest post for you if you would like me to…
@mysterg… do I even have to answer that? I would LOVE that.
I should have put #20 as #1 because seriously, that’s the one I want to do most before I’m 30. GOD TORONTO, WHY DO YOU SUCK!?
Dear Cheryl,
It’s like, never going to happen. I went to a Sens/Leafs game last Nov. What an effing let down. They lost, 6-2 or something. Losers. On the plus side, the tickets were free and I was served beer at my seat.
Losers? Losers?! Um, not to correct your Canadian, but I’m pretty sure you meant hosers. ’cause, I mean, why use lame normal slang when you can slang it up Canadian style?
Yes, that is a fact. And I am ashamed.