30 Days Until 30:
How to Celebrate Your Life, At Any Age, Really.
Notes from the planners/authors:
Cat says: Once upon a time, Deb and I got together at an infamous Christmas Party. In our overjoyed state of seeing each other, we realized that we were both about to turn 30, and a plan was concocted to celebrate the events. While I don’t feel like 30 is a turning point in and of itself, it’s supposed to be a big deal. For me, any birthday is a big deal, no matter the age. I’m more about where you are in your life and how you are with yourself, no matter what the number is. 30 does make it easier to divide life into decade-sized chunks, but I’m good with where I am in life. I’ve covered a lot of ground so far, and I’m in a good place spiritually, emotionally, and physically and that has more to do with me working through experiences as they come than the age itself. I guess anytime after college age, things kinda become amorphous. Until then, people about the same age are pretty much experience really similar things: high school, proms, college applications, freshman year, college life (whatever details that entails for each person), graduation. After that, some people get married, some go back to school, some live with their parents, some travel, some get a job, some do all these things in random order or something else entirely. I guess I don’t feel a weight about being 30 because I’ve had the chance to do a lot, and because life experiences at this point are so varied among the friends I have, that I don’t feel insecure about where I am. Yes, I have the single thing going and there aren’t that many 30 year-old singles left, but then again there are some. And being single at 30 doesn’t seem to be the sort of social leprosy it was even ten years ago, though tell that to my parents. Yes, there are things in my life I’d like to improve and change and things I’ve only learned with the passing of 30 years. Aren’t we all just works in progress, no matter where or who or how old we are? I swear sometimes I’m taking steps back and I forget I’m not 23 and maybe that’s why I don’t care about being 30 the way I should. And maybe whether I like it or not, 30 in and of itself is a big deal and so deserves special attention. Either way, I’ve decided it’s good. Bottom line: 30 is nice and round and we both happened to think of this plan this year, not last year. I dare say it should be done every year, just for kicks.
Deb says: Carpe Diem! I agree with Cat that turning 30 is just as big a deal as say, turning 27 or 32. And, having this fun game to play not only makes turning the big 3-0 special, it is also a reminder to take joy, everyday, in the little things in this amazing world we live in. So, no matter what birthday this year may hold for you, feel free to join us and to celebrate the turning of any age with the following list (just insert your age where you see 30 in our directions below). Remember to always ”seek the joy of being alive."
The Core Curriculum:
Pick a day, in the 30 leading up to your 30th birthday, to do each of the following:
1. Eat ice-cream straight from the container (go ahead and put some chocolate syrup or other topping on it while you're at it).
2. Write & mail a letter to someone you haven't corresponded with in a while.
3. Call someone you haven't talked with in a while.
4. Hug a roommate/spouse.
5. Try a new recipe.
6. Take a walk.
7. Take an afternoon nap.
8. Watch a sunrise.
9. Watch a sunset.
10. Eat a food you've never eaten before
11. Buy flowers to decorate your kitchen, dining room, coffee, or bedside table.
Electives:
Fill in the rest of your 30 days until turning 30 with choices from the following list (feel free to also work in your own options as you go):
1. Eat a meal by candlelight.
2. Dance under the stars.
3. Hike in the woods.
4. Make a donation to the charity of your choice.
5. Write an entry into your journal about turning 30.
6. Take a bubble bath by candlelight.
7. Eat at a restaurant you've been meaning to try, but just haven't yet.
8. Squirt whipped topping directly from the can into your mouth.
9. Eat a fancy chocolate (and enjoy every moment of it).
10. Drink a cup of tea while relaxing on your sofa (or in your favorite chair) under a cozy blanket.
11. Paint a picture.
12. Take a photo of yourself by an interesting looking tree.
13. Eat fondue (isn't fondue a fun word?).
14. Go outside and blow bubbles.
15. Color a picture with crayons.
16. Eat dessert before dinner.
17. Order room service.
18. Hold a baby.
19. Finish a project.
20. Send a happy thinking-of-you note to someone.
21. Frolic (whether it's in the snow or the rain or in your house...).
22. Make silly sounds, on purpose, for your own amusement.
23. Make a declaration. Of something. Whenever the mood strikes.
24. Start a new book. (this can include children's books).
25. Go see something new (a band, first snowfall, an exhibit, a festival for something, whatever...something new for you).
26. Rent/watch a movie you've been wanting to see.
27. Write a new poem, story, something.
28. Sing in the shower.
29. Paint your nails (fingers or toes or all twenty).
30. Finger paint a picture & send it to someone you love.
31. Make s’mores.
32. Tell a joke.
33. Make an audio tape of your most recent news and send it to a close friend or relative whom you seldom see.
34. Finger paint on glazed paper (shelf paper, freezer paper) with chocolate pudding.
35. Create a traveling friendship basket. Fill an inexpensive basket with baked goodies, crafts, coupons, and so forth. Pass it on to a friend. Leave a note in the basket, directing it to be passed on (within the week) to someone else who could use some cheer.
36. Do something you've been dreading (or putting off) just to get it over with.
37. Sing Karaoke.
38. Go to a thrift store or flea market and buy something for someone else (or just look around).
39. Test drive a car.
40. Go sightseeing in a nearby town.
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