35 Before 35
September 4, 2021. That’s when I’ll turn 35 years old.
A couple years ago, I made a Dirty Thirty Challenge which consisted of 30 things I wanted to do before I turned 30 years old. I failed miserably – only completing or half-completing one-third of them. I did some big ones like skydiving and seeing the synchronous fireflies and go vegan but overall, I didn’t succeed at my challenge. However, I’m still a firm believer in these types of lists…for myself, at least. I’ve always been a list person and I’ve always been a goal-oriented person. Sometimes my goals are too lofty and sometimes they are tiny but regardless, they give me something to be excited and ambitious about and I think that’s really important. So, while I didn’t complete my before 30 challenge, I’m still going to create a 35 Before 35 Challenge. I get a little over 4 years to complete it which means maybe some bigger goals but also will be more realistic compared to my 1.5-year timeframe before.
I love bucket lists. Some do not. I don’t love them in the ‘I HAVE TO DO THESE THINGS BEFORE I DIE OR…I’LL DIE’ way but more just that I love lists and it’s one more thing I can make a list for. I’m an ever-changing individual. What I wanted to do 5 years ago does not match what I want to do today and that’s okay. What I wanted to do 5 days ago is different too. It’s taken me a long time to be accepting of this piece of myself. It’s okay if I want to change my path or my goals. It’s my life. In the meantime, I’m gonna keep on making lists.
Challenge: 35 before 35
1. Publish a Novel
This was on my 30 before 30 list. Well, technically, ‘start a novel’ was on my list which I did. I just didn’t get very far.
2. Hike Long Distance
Hiking the ‘Triple Crown’ – the Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide – is on my life bucket list but I’ll just put any long distance hike on this particular list.
3. Go Bungee Jumping
This was on my 30 before 30 list but surprisingly, there’s like nowhere to do this in the South or even the East coast so I’ll reserve it for when I travel to the West Coast or overseas.
4. Sing Karaoke
This will probably just continue to be on my list forever because this scares me more than anything and will likely never happen.
5. Attend a VIPASSANA MEDITATION RETREAT
Can I successfully be silent for 7-10 days? I sure as hell want to find out!
6. Attend Burning Man
Burning Man, I WILL attend you at some point in my life. I keep trying to make it happen.
7. Continue Yoga
I’ve taken up yoga especially since injuring my back and been limited physically and I really love it. I’m eager to continue practicing and doing a yoga retreat one day.
8. Be Location Independent
My ultimate dream goal.
9. Cycle Iceland
Road trip Iceland was on my 30 before 30 list but I wanted to up the challenge since I didn’t get it done in time for that one. I’ve been playing around with this idea for some time and I think I’d definitely like to give it a go.
10. Have a ‘Yes’ Day
I really want to have an entire day where I have to say ‘Yes’ to everything. It sounds like a great way to get out of one’s comfort zone.
11. Spend the Night Somewhere Haunted
Maybe at the Lemp Mansion?
12. Lead a Conscious + Compassionate Life – COMPLETE
I’ve been vegan and cruelty-free for a year (on May 1st!). I only wish I had done so sooner. In doing so, I’ve become more conscious about decisions in my lifestyle. I’ve quit using plastic straws and am trying to eliminate all one-use plastic, trying to move towards more minimalism, only traveling responsibly and so on. No one is perfect but I just want to know I’m committing as little harm as possible.
13. Be Debt Free
My second ultimate goal.
14. Be Comfortable in my Skin
I can put ‘lose XX amount of weight’ or ‘get in shape’ all day long but what really matters is being comfortable in my own skin.
15. Walk the Camino de Santiago
16. Get my Scuba Certification – COMPLETED
Read all about my experience here.
17. Take MMA and/or defense classes
Krav Maga and Jiu-Jitsu are really looking appealing to me.
18. Visit all 50 States
19. Visit all 56 Tennessee State Parks
Bicentennial Capitol Mall, Bledsoe Creek, Pickett, Radnor Lake, Rock Island, Harpeth River, and Long Hunter are done. Only 49 more to go!
20. Visit all US National Parks
21. Act More Like an Entrepreneur and Less like a Hobbyist
I’ve been blogging for 3.5 years now and most days I don’t treat it like a business and I don’t act like an entrepreneur and that’s why I’m not seeing the results I want. I want to change that.
22. Go on a Full Moon Hike
23. Be Fluent in a Second Language
24. Visit Havasu Falls
25. Have a Consistent, Authentic Brand – COMPLETE
26. Live in Another Country
27. Go on a Vegan Group Trip
I’m not typically one for group trips or tours but I’d really love to do a trip that consists of like-minded individuals.
28. Volunteer with Animals in Every Country I Visit
29. Become Primarily Whole Foods Plant-Based
Already vegan, but consider myself a junk food vegan which is still not healthy for me. I’d like to eat 80% whole foods and 20% whatever I like.
30. Give Vlogging a Go/Learn to Edit Videos
31. Complete the Everest Base Camp Trek
Actually visited Nepal this year which was unexpected but didn’t do the base trek. I’d love to go back and do this!
32. Travel the Trans-Siberian Express
33. Participate in a Book Club Every Month – COMPLETE
I already do this but I want to make sure I continue it.
34. Complete my Original Southeast Asia Itinerary
Two and a half years ago, I set out to travel SEA for 9 months with this itinerary in mind but I came back after only one month. I’d like to finish what I started.
35. ???
Leaving this open so I can add something amazing (as if the other things aren’t amazing). Any ideas?
Do you make similar lists? What are some of things you would add?
I'm also a freelance writer and creator. You can see my published work here. I've been featured by Impact Travel Alliance as a creative who is transforming travel, and by Matador Network as a vegan travel blogger you should be following on Instagram.
When I'm not writing, I'm traveling, reading a book, trying not to kill my houseplants, worshiping my dog, or having an existential crisis.
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A list maker I am not but I like reading others lists. It’s a good one. I’ve done a few things on the list like visiting all my states state parks. I was fluent in another language but learned of you don’t use it daily you get stuck at an intermediate level. I’ve hiked the foothills trail but at 80 ish miles doesn’t really qualify for a long hike. I’d like to get better at yoga and do a retreat and self defence is really appealing too. Good luck on your list.
Great bucket list! I’ve always wanted to walk the Camino de Santiago as well! Maybe this is the year that I’ll stop talking about it and actually do it!
Mike, I completely get it! I constantly talk about things and never do them too! I hope you walk the Camino – let me know how it is! 🙂
I always wanted to do that. It’s on my not so small to-do-list 🙂