Turning thirty is a significant milestone birthday, and I’m almost there! It’s the birthday that marks officially starting adulthood and waving goodbye to our youth. Check out my thoughts on turning thirty, how to survive the big day and make the most of the next decade!
Thoughts on Turning Thirty
Have you heard of the thirty things to do before turning thirty bucket list? Look it up on Pinterest, google it. It’s a thing. I was honestly terrified of being half way there and thought I needed a clear plan to do it all.
I’ll be blowing out the candles in a matter of hours and it feels like a natural time to reflect on my twenties.
My biggest highlights were
- Falling in love
- Getting my Teaching Certificate
- Teaching abroad
- Having my own classroom
- Getting Married
- Buying our first house
- Buying the ranch
- Having the boys
Here’s my recent realizations about turning thirty
- I do feel as old as all the FRIENDS characters from Season 7 Episode 14- The One Where They All Turn 30!
- I wish I was as “fun and flirty” as a young Jennifer Garner in Thirteen Going on Thirty
- That turning thirty depression is a real thing, a mid life identity crisis that a lot of people face. Read more about it on Psychology Today.
HOW TO SURVIVE THE BIG DAY
The only way to survive your turning thirty is to change your mindset and celebrate!
BUT now that I’m going to be … OLD I kinda feel like SCREW IT…SO WHAT – I didn’t save like I should have, I don’t even technically own my own car and I hardly travelled the world. WHATEVER
Ready or not, I’m thirty and I’m kinda excited about it!
It’s not the end of something great it’s the beginning of something wonderful.
I used to think that thirty was old. When I see family pictures of when I was young, my parents were in their thirties. They looked young and full of life. They were happy raising three strong willed children.
It feels like a much needed time to write my bucket list for my next decade. With that vision in mind and our late pillow talk dreams I write my thirty in my thirties bucket list.
I wrote this list for me, I’m not going to tell you what you should do in your next decade to be successful. You might find some ideas to borrow or at least some humour in my list.
THIRTY THINGS TO TRY IN YOUR THIRTIES
1. PAY OFF THE MORTGAGE
Debt does not bring me joy. When I paid off my student loan debt I felt a huge weight off of my shoulders. There’s different opinions on wether a mortgage is debt or not. I consider our mortgage to be debt. With some strategic planning and frugal living inspiring this list, we hope to pay it off over the next 10 years.
2. START SAVING FOR RETIREMENT
This was something we were supposed to do in our twenties. If saving is something that is of importance to you, then check out our update for a quick way to start saving!
UPDATE: OUR NOVEMBER NO SPEND CHALLENGE
3. PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
It feels like the time to actually get into gear and plan for our future. We plan on getting our ducks in a row in case the worst were ever to happen. Even if you don’t have kids, whatever you’ve worked up to his point you should have a plan for the “what if?”
4. ROCK A SIDE GIG
I’d really like to work at home til 35 ish, with income from homestead and blog. If you’re like me and want to be home with your babies finding a niche side hustle can make this dream a reality. I share ways to make money from you backyard in this post to inspire you.
UPDATE: OUR 2020 HOMESTEAD GOAL PLAN
Find a hobby
Homesteading is a broad spectrum of hobbies and also a way of living. Learning new homesteading hobbies and starting new projects is a great way to save money in your thirties and also a way to keep learning.
More on modern homesteading here.
Here are the hobbies and skills I’m planning on embracing over the next 10 years. The list of self sufficiency skills for modern homesteaders is a very broad list worth exploring yourself.
UPDATE: WHAT YOU CAN MAKE AT HOME TO SAVE MONEY
5. MAKE CHEESE
We recently went to a local cheese factory and enjoyed delicious local goats milk cheeses with crackers and preserves. YUM! I want to make this at a fraction of the cost and wow friends with yummy appetizers at our next potluck get togethers.
6. MAKE SOAP
And if I can make cheese with our cows milk, then I should be able to make soap too. There’s nothing like homemade soap, whenever I go to farmers markets I always have to stop and smell them and get a couple. Eventually doing away with the Ivory and Olay bars would be great.
7. FIND YOUR HOME SWEET HOME
Finding roots and settling down in a home in your thirties is a great way to find some balance. I used to want to build our own house on the property, now I’m happy with just finishing our farmhouse. Building a new house means rebuilding a home in our thirties and I’ve already done that twice. More on what we decided to not buy our dream property to come.
8. BUILD NEW OUT BUILDINGS
Instead of building a dream house, I started dreaming about an equipment shed that actually makes sense and the perfect chicken coop for my girls. Im hoping we can build new outbuilding for our farm equipment and animals that makes sense and is nicer to look at.
9. ESTABLISH THE ORCHARD
For my thirtieth birthday, I bought 20 heirloom semi dwarf apples trees and 30 blueberry plants and we plan on planting our orchard in the very near future. In a few short years, I’ll never have to buy an apple or other yummy fruit again!
Set Family Goals
10. TRAVEL
If we can manage to save for travel over the next decade, we’ve always wanted to go visit the other Hawaiian islands after our honeymoon to Maui. Where do you want to travel with your children?
11. TAKE MORE SMALL TRIPS
We recently took a small weekend vacation from farming and loved it! It’s important to take small holidays, wether camping and deep frying a turkey or going to the beach. Don’t forget to have fun!
12. SHARE OUR FAVOURITE HOBBIES WITH THE KIDS.
Together we love fishing, hiking, camping, farming and gardening. Now it’s time to rekindle those happy memories by teaching these things to our kids.
Mental Health/Self Care
13. YOGA
Mommy yoga time! Check out these eight free yoga channels on youtube.
14. JOURNALING
If time continues at this pace there’s no way I’m going to remember all the small moments. I’d like to write a journal to remember it all. From what the kids did or said, how they met their milestones and the parenting struggles will be nice to look back on one day.
UPDATE: CHECK OUT MY FAVOURITE PRINTABLE PLANNERS FOR 2020!
15. READ MORE NOVELS
Start reading for pleasure again, no more university text and watching everything on Netflix. I loved reading in my teens. I’d read book after book on the dock at the lake. How is it I can count the amount of novels I read in my twenties on one hand? Maybe it’s time to start a book club and hold myself accountable?! Please make me recommendations in the comments below!
16. MANAGE STRESS
I’ve learned it never goes away. In my thirties I’d like to spend much less time worrying and more time playing. If that means mastering the art of saying no and not doing as much.
UPDATE: MASTERING SOME TIME MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND STARTING A MORNING ROUTINE HAS REALLY HELPED THIS YEAR.
Crafting
There’s something special about making things for the people you love. I’d like to do more of that “grandma stuff” in my thirties…
17. SCRAPBOOK
I’m hoping by signing up for the Close to My Heart Subscription Box I’ll actually make scrapbooks for us to remember special moments. I don’t have time to put the hardwork behind assembling pages, so I’m thinking this subscription box is worth it.
18. QUILT
I love quilting with Moda Bakeshop Fabrics and using the Kimberly Jolly YouTube tutorials from Fat Quarter Shop. I could go on and on with raves and reviews for all three. My hope is to continue to add to my quilt collection by making quilt tops for their big boy beds one day and a hunting one for my husbands annual trips. But first the Farmhouse II Collection for me!
19. SECOND HAND UNISEX KIDS CLOTHES
One thing I’d love to do is make farm clothes for my boys using their dads and grandfathers work ware, from flannel button ups to stanfield toques and slippers. The ideas to repurpose clothing for the next generation is endless. Stay tuned for a tutorial in the future!
20. THIFT STORE CRAFTS
I’ve learned to knit a baby blanket to the point of mastery, it’s time to step it up and make something three dimensional like a toque or sweater. I can’t believe how many craft supplies are at thrift stores these days, from old items to repurpose, to patterns and supplies. It’s worth a look!
21. LEARN TO CROCHET
I’ve always loved the look of crocheted stitches. We received a sweet flannel receiving blanket for our youngest and it had crocheted edging around it. I need to learn how to do this!
22. BUILD SOMETHING WITH MY HANDS
We got the Homesteading building projects book this spring and I’m totally inspired to take up woodworking. My grandfather in law passed down a lot of his wood working tools to us and I’d love to actually learn to swing a hammer and build something. I’d like to build a new rabbit hutch, outdoor play areas for the kids and goat play houses!
Cooking/Baking
23.MAKE MY OWN BREAD
24. MAKE FOOD MEMORABLE AND LESS STRESSFUL
I wonder what meals will my kids remember as moms family recipe? I’d like to be better organized in this area when it comes to meal planning, grocery shopping, growing our own food and meal prep. If I can do that then I should be able to make food more of a memorable family experience I can be proud of as a mom and wife.
UPDATE: I PARTICIPATED IN A FEW MEAL SWAPS THIS YEAR!
25. HOST HOLIDAY DINNERS
We both have special traditions from childhood, but we’ve noticed a big shift as our families are growing shifting and changing. Starting our own friendsgiving and family Christmas dinner traditions are ones I’d like to embrace as what our children will remember of the holidays.
UPDATE: TRICKS I’VE LEARNED TO HOST A STRESS FREE HOLIDAY DINNER!
26. PRESERVE AND BUILD A FILLED PANTRY
I’d really like to preserve more food and have a designated pantry space where I can fill it full of goodness for the fall and winter. Like a squirrel…
UPDATE: HERES SOME OF MY PRESERVING LESSONS FROM 2019: PRESERVE APPLES
27. START A COLLECTION
I’d like to start building a collection of vintage china and pyrex. Some homesteaders like to collect vintage kitchen items like cast iron cookware, meat grinders and irons. Thrifted home decor is all the rage. Find something that speaks to you and build a collection. Forget buying new.
28. SOCIAL MEDIA DETOX
This is going to be hard, but I’m really hoping to get a handle on the time I send on technology and specifically social media. I’ve spent a lot of time while blogging, and can’t believe how much productive time can get wasted with social media distractions.
ALSO, it’s hugely impacting parenting and children. Forget liking instead and spend some time doing what you love.
29. DO SOMETHING HUGE
RUN A MARATHON- One thing I never did from my thirty before thirty list I wrote when I was 15 was run a marathon. When I was 15, I had just completed my first half marathon. I ran it with my Mom and Dad and got first place in my age category. I used to love track and the freedom I got from running.
Then I managed to run a few more halves in my twenties and even convinced my husband to do one with me. But I never trained for a full marathon and neither did my Mother. She’s talked about it, and I know she’d probably still beat me if we did one together. I think it’s time we make it happen. What do you think Mom?
30. DO SOMETHING CRAZY
BUILD UP THE COURAGE TO ACTUALLY PICK UP THAT CHICKEN, or whatever it is that you’ve been scared to try. This is soo embarrassing that I’m writing this. I write about homesteading and how much I love my animals and my chickens but STILL, I am anxious everytime I go to pick up a hen and she flaps her wings.
CELEBRATE TURNING THIRTY
If you’re thirties are in your horizon, I really suggest you write your fun thirty things in your thirties list and forget your 30 things before your thirty list. What do you really want to do now that you’re going to be a “real adult?” What would have brought you pure joy at 15?
Other than writing this list I’m going to celebrate this huge milestone by first embracing the excitement of another decade. Then I’ll eat ice cream cake, going to the spa with my girlfriends and enjoying a glass of wine or two and show gratitude for getting this far!
Please comment below and tell me your thoughts on thirty! What do you want to do? How do you feel about it? How did you feel about turning thirty? What are your favourite memories of being thirty and your biggest regrets?
Ya says
I love this list! and congrats on your accomplishments! I have 2 years before I am 30 and I am actually excited.
Diana says
There’s something exciting about feeling like you’re really adulting ? I feel like I’ll always be a kid at heart though
Angel | Mommy-ing Differently says
I’m 26 and 30 will be here before I know (although I’m definitely, oddly, excited for it too!). I so wish I could accompany you on your 30 things because they’re all things I want to do too. Mine would be a “30 Before 30” though lol. Good luck on your list!
Diana says
There’s never a better time than now! Have fun ?