After turning 21, the next major age milestone to look forward to (or rather, to fear), is turning 30. That big scary number that means you're officially not a kid anymore. Hell, you become a different age demographic.Some people embrace the number, others pray it won't ever arrive. Well, we at Life in Boxes make lists for it.
If you've been following our blog for the past couple of weeks, you will have noticed that we've been going through our 30 Things To Do Before You're 30 list. Each of the editors (Jorge, Yuri, Jen, and Julia) has had a chance to submit our top five favorite things to do, and we've also asked you, our readers, for your top thing you want to accomplish before you hit the big 3-0.
Today, we finish off the list, combining some ideas from the editors and also including reader suggestions. Without further ado, and in no particular order, here are the last 10 things we want to do before we turn thirty....
10. Do Something Illegal
When you're younger than 30, you're allowed to do crazy / stupid things and blame it on being young and reckless. So on occasion, you need to use that right to do things that are... not fully lawful. I'm not saying you should rob a bank, but you know, do something that you can tell your kids about when you're old and wrinkly.
9. Do Something Charitable (submitted by Sang)
When you get older, you start getting more responsibilities and priorities in your life. It's essential, then, to take the time while you still have it to make some kind of difference in the world. Whether it's volunteering at a soup kitchen, sponsoring a child, becoming a big brother, or even joining the Peace Corps, it's great to give time and resources to a great cause when you have the chance.
8. Fill-in Your Missing Childhood Moments (submitted by Sym)
Okay, so Sym actually suggested "learn how to swim." But in reality, it's really about filling-in the parts of a typical childhood that you missed. For some, it's learning how to swim. For others, it's learning how to ride a bike. The point is that you have to fulfill childhood dreams while you are still (relatively) young.
7. Make a Million Dollars (submitted by Anonymous)
While making a million dollars before you're 30 is a lofty goal, to say the least, many of us would like to be well-off by the time we're 30. While measurements of financial success will vary between people (some people will settle for a car and a roof over their head, while others want a six-figure salary), everyone wants to be able to have enough money to live at least comfortably and happily.
6. Appear In a Movie/TV Show
How awesome would it be call your friends so they can check you out on the season finale of Heroes? Think about having people stopping you on the street and asking for your autograph. What about signing your first starring role in a blockbuster film. Or you can settle for one line in Law & Order. Whatever it takes to get that Screen Actors Guild card.
5. Make an Album
Songwriting/composing/producing is an arduous and time consuming task. The amount of self scrutiny is enough to drive a person mad. Anyone that can put 10 songs together and make it sound decent deserves some serious credit. It may be a piece of crap to the rest of the world, but to the creator it is nothing short of brilliance.
4. Travel the World (submitted by Carrie)
A lot of people do not have the chance to go backpacking across Europe or even visit the other side of the coast. But after you graduate from college, you start saving up money for attainable goals, whether it's for a new car, to move out, or go on very much needed vacations to see the world. This ties in with Yuri's road trip, Jen's trip to London, and Julia's goal to visit all 50 states, but to sum it all up, traveling is definitely on the itinerary for something to do before turning 30.
3. Be Part of a Wedding Party
Whether if it's as the bride, groom, best man, maid of honor, a groomsman, or a bridesmaid, being part of a wedding party is an altogether exciting experience to share with loved ones. You not only learn the ropes of what goes on in putting a wedding together, but you get to witness what love (or something like it) can lead to in a relationship.
2. Start a Blog
The editors of Life in Boxes know all too well the fun and sweat that go into writing for and maintaining a blog. While we may not be the next Perez Hilton or Matt Drudge, we genuinely enjoy blogging about relevant issues in pop culture and society, and connecting with readers through our writing. Starting your own blog can be a great way to write about everything from the things you enjoy (or hate) and want others to know about, or to recap your very exciting life in one simple click-and-publish routine. Don't be discouraged if you have very few readers at first (you, your friends, your mom), as everyone has humble beginnings. Who knows, maybe you will be the next Perez or Drudge!
1. Be Satisfied with the Choices You Make (or Decide What To Do With Your Life)
Many people who recently graduate from college have no idea what to do with their lives. Hopefully by the time the big 3-0 comes around, they will at least have some sort of direction in life. Right now, the possibilities seem endless - sticking with what you've got, finding something better, going to grad school, ... - the list can go on and on. The important this is that by the time your 30 you know what you want.
