Today is my 29th birthday.
I’m entering this year with excitement, happiness, and an overwhelming sense of relief.  While my twenties have been one hell of a decade, I’m excited to use this year to prepare – not just for my thirties, but for the rest of my life.
I’ve done various iterations of “30 Before 30” lists in the part, filled with arcane and silly goals.  Acquire a pair of really expensive shoes, full price.  Go bungee jumping.  Audition for a reality show.  Become a boss.  Travel to all 7 continents.
But one TED Talk changed my whole view of my twenties and thirties completely:
I still have some things to work on – embracing a healthy lifestyle with more consistency, getting my sometimes uncontrollable spending under check, overcoming an irrational fear of water. Â And rather than spending this last year in my twenties whooping it up, I’m looking forward to focusing on getting the aforementioned issues under check, so I can enter my 30’s as the person I’ve always wanted to be.
Not without checking off some silly items on my list along the way as well, of course. Â Without further ado, here’s my 30 Before 30 list:
- Join the board of directors of an organization.
- Overcome my fear of water and re-learn how to swim.
- Get a Brazilian bikini wax.
- Commit to a philanthropic cause and contribute in a meaningful way (besides just donating funds).
- Get my binge spending habits under control, once and for all.
- Travel to a continent I’ve never been to before (Australia or Antarctica are all I have left!)
- Start writing the novel I have rattling in my head.
- Continue to grow Hitha On The Go & Portavi Company in a sustainable manner.
- Re-read all of Kate Chopin’s published works.
- Start my day with writing a handwritten note to somebody.
- Perfect my rap karaoke performance of “Baby Got Back.”
- Take an improv class.
- Dine at Per Se.
- Take my father on a wine tasting trip – just the two of us.
- Photograph my apartment and submit it for publication.
- Establish a consistent, sustainable healthy lifestyle.
- Watch a horror movie (I HATE them, but I’m all for getting out of my comfort zone).
- Learn how to cook my favorite Indian dishes – biryani, pedaas, and dosas.
- Become a millionaire (while this is highly improbable, I’m working my bum off to make it happen).
- Learn how to play the guitar, and play/sing the song by Julie Deply at the end of Before Sunset.
- Practice yoga 3 times a week.
- Become a patron of an arts group – performing or museum.
- Re-read my favorite Shakespeare plays.
- Beat my husband at chess.
- Be a mentor to someone.
- Educate myself on Hinduism.
- Establish a daily meditation practice.
- Purchase a Chanel bag.
- Take a walk for pleasure every day (that I can).
- End my twenties with no regrets.
Do you have a “30 Before 30” list? Â What’s on yours? Â I’d love to know! Â To see how I’m progressing on my list, click here.
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