As I approach my 30th birthday, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the experiences that have shaped me and the adventures I’ve yet to embark on. Turning 30 is a significant milestone, often accompanied by a mix of excitement and introspection. It’s a time to celebrate the journey so far and to look forward to new horizons.
In the spirit of embracing this pivotal year, I’ve curated a list of 30 activities to try before you turn 30. Some of these I have done, some of them are things I’ve been wanting to do for a while. This is not like my 30 Before 30 list of goals, which was a lot more personal. This is simply a list of 30 activities you can try on those weeks that are a little slower than you’d like and need some inspiration. Or a little push to venture outside your comfort zone.
This list isn’t about ticking off boxes for the sake of it; it’s about making memories. Because let’s face it, sometimes doing it for the plot really is worth the story we’ll be able to tell our friends later.
30 Activities to Try Before Your Thirties
- Ask a guy out. It’s 2024, I know. Girls asking guys out is normal and hey, I’m a feminist, I’m here for it. I’ve just never dared before. I guess there’s a first time for everything.
- Host a Themed Dinner Party Choose an unusual theme and go all out with costumes, decor, and a menu to match. I see these on Tik Tok all the time and it looks like so much fun.
- Take a Class in Something Bizarre We’ve all done the classic wine and paint nights, but I’m talking something way more niche like cheese sculpting or neon sign making. I’m sure there are some crazy classes out there!
- See your favourite artist perform live. There’s something so special about live music. Whether it’s classic rock or hard-core techno, make it happen. I promise you won’t regret it.
- Go on a Mystery Trip I see all these new travel packages like lastminute.com where you don’t know where you’re going, you are just told the weather and dates. Love that idea.
- Try a Sensory Deprivation Tank Floating in a tank filled with salt water to experience the ultimate relaxation and introspection? Yes please. This is the type of therapy I’d be down for. But also please go to real therapy if you need it.
- Create a Time Capsule Collect mementoes from your twenties, write letters to your future self, and bury it to open at a significant future date. If burying it is not an option, your parent’s attic will do!
- Have a Clothing Swap Party We love a sustainable moment, so invite your friends over and exchange clothes and accessories. Refresh your wardrobe without spending a dime.
- Go topless at the beach. This one is easier if you live in Southern Spain like I do where you can do it at any beach, so just make sure it’s not against the law where you are. There’s something so freeing and empowering about letting the girls out and getting some sun.
- Join a Local Improv Group Improve your public speaking and quick-thinking skills while having a laugh. Okay, at least one class to give it a try.
- Create Your Own Signature Cocktail Nothing says more like I have my shit together going into my thirties like having a signature cocktail.
- Write and publish a book, blog, memoir, something more than a social media post. There are so many platforms, from Amazon books to blog sites. Share something you created, beyond TikTok and Instagram, with the world.
- Go to a sex party. I’ve always been curious about these parties yet I’ve never had the guts to go to one. And from what I hear, you don’t have to do anything if you’re not feeling it, so I encourage you to have an open mind and see what you’re comfortable with. (Sorry Mom if you’re reading this.)
- Write and perform a stand-up comedy routine. We all think we’re hilarious in our minds, right? Put it to the test. The performance can be with just friends, it can even be a comedy night where everyone prepares a quick 5-min set.
- Visit a medium or have your tarot cards read. I’m sure we all have questions we’d love to have some answers to and in my opinion, any life guidance at this point is welcomed.
- Meet with a financial planner. I’ll admit, this one isn’t a fun afternoon activity. However, it is important to have somewhat of a financial game plan as we enter our thirties, even if you’re broke like me.
- Go sky diving. Take quite literally the biggest jump ever into the new decade with a casual free fall from the sky.
- Try transformational breathwork. I wholeheartedly believe everyone, especially women, needs to experience exactly how transformational this is. What is transformational breathwork?
- Go on a retreat. Silent retreat, yoga retreat, tantric sex retreat. Whatever floats your boat. The idea is to be surrounded by individuals who share a common interest and where the whole purpose is to learn and practice collectively.
- Explore you ancestry. With all the at-home ancestry tests, it’s never been easier to learn more about your family history and heritage. You might learn things about yourself you never knew before!
- Start a side business. There are many insanely accomplished entrepreneurs who aren’t even thirty yet. I’m not talking about them. I’m talking to those of us who have always had a small idea or interest like selling baked goods, freelancing consulting services, etc. Even if you never live off of this, it’s nice to work on something that’s a passion project more than a “job”.
- Plan a trip with a family member. I’m mainly thinking of mother-daughter trips, but I’ve also done a backpacking trip with my brother that was life-changing. Experiencing little trips with loved ones only gets better with age.
- Take a ski, surfing, or diving lesson. Any of those cool sports you can only really do if you started learning early on as a kid. Well, better late than never!
- Try a detox. Figure out what is something you can take a healthy break from. Alcohol, sugar, or even your phone? There are plenty of detox plans you can follow, just don’t do anything extreme!
- Get the tattoo, piercing, or haircut you’ve always wanted. Now I’m not advocating for the post-breakup type of bangs. I’m talking about that thing you’ve always wanted to do to your look. It’s the last time you can say “Oh, I got that in my twenties”.
- Organize a “Giving back” day with your friends. Pick a charity or organization where you and your friends can volunteer at for the day. If there isn’t one around you, organize it yourself like a beach cleanup, donation drive, or neighbourhood fundraiser.
- Record a day-in-the-life vlog. You don’t have to post it anywhere. This is just to have a video memory of a normal day in your twenties that you can look back on later in life or show the grandkids what the good old days were like.
- Pick a new language and dedicate three weeks to learning the basics. It can be as simple as doing 15 min of Duolingo a day. If you’re not feeling it after that, then you don’t have to continue. And yes, computer languages count.
- Meet with a career coach. Whether you’re on the hunt for a new job or doing exactly what you love, having an outsider give you feedback and coaching to make sure you have a direction can be super helpful.
- Plan your 30th birthday celebration. Whether it’s a few weeks or a few years away, plan what your ideal birthday celebration will be. Some plans take time! In my case, I want to do a girls’ trip with my mom, aunt, and close girlfriends.
Creating a list of 30 activities to try before your thirties is not about comparing yourself to others or meeting society’s expectations. It’s about exploring what excites you, what scares you, what you wish someone would just dare you to do. Well, I’m here to do just that. I dare you to try all of these or 30 of your own.