I have always admired 30 Before 30 projects. It’s a Think Big exercise, bringing the joy of possibility into your life. I’ve often toyed with starting my own but never really got my act together. I then felt like I didn’t have enough time to devote to it and it might not be worthwhile. The 30×30 projects I’ve seen have really impressive long term goals (run a marathon, take an international vacation, pay off student loans, etc.) and I’m less than a year away. However, it was a persistent thought in the back of mind. I was at the gym yesterday and thought, why not? Why The Heck Not? Don’t hold back. A simplified 30 Before 30 could be just as useful to me and hopefully inspiring to you.
So, with 172 days to go, here is my very own 30 Before 30 Project:
- Donate to two charities
- Have a TV free week
- Swim in open water
- Plant something (and hopefully not kill it)
- Visit my sister, bro-in-law, and nephews in Richmond, Virginia
- Plan an entire surprise date day for my husband
- Buy new chef’s knives (I’m taking suggestions for this one!)
- Organize my memory box and create scrapbooks for the last several years
- Fully clean out my closet and donate clothes
- Advance my career (broadly stated for now)
- Express true gratitude to 10 people (friends, family, or strangers) in a meaningful way (visit, phone call, letter, email, card, etc.)
- Read 5 classics from the Modern Library Association’s 100 Best Novels list
- Buy 3 different vegetables I’ve never had before at the farmer’s market, create an original recipe using them, and post it on my blog
- Make 5 crafty things I’ve seen on Pinterest
- Play 5 board games I’ve never played
- Visit 3 museums
- Watch 5 documentaries
- Eat 1,400 healthy calories per day for one week
- Exercise every day for one week (really exercise, like with an elevated heart rate)
- Combine the previous two for one week
- Sew a dress
- Host a Ladies Only dinner party
- Take a cross stitch/embroidery class
- Clean out our basement
- Install a backsplash in our kitchen
- Compile my own personal Best of Boston list
- Listen to all of my favorite band’s albums, with intent not just in the background, start to finish (it’s R.E.M. and they have 15 full studio albums)
- Hike at The Fells 10 times
- Reorganize the Recipes page on my blog
- Take pictures of as many of these 30×30 projects as I complete them and post them on my blog
Domestocrat 
For #12, I recommend Shun. I looooove mine.
Fastest comment ever! (It’s now #7.) Thanks for the rec! I will look that up. Were they crazy expensive?
They’re a little bit of an investment but well worth it. I tried a bunch of knives when buying and that one felt the best in my hand. I found out after the fact that it’s the same brand that Alton Brown uses, so you’d be in good company. :)
Well, now I’m sold! ;) You and another foodie friend recommended that brand and I totally trust you guys. I’m definitely going to do some research on what they have and figure out what we need.
I can echo this sentiment about shun too – expensive, but totally worth it. I use my 6″ santoku knife every day, and it makes food prep a joy.
Good to know, thanks!!
#17. May I recommend “Unforgivable Blackness”? It was on PBS a few years ago. Brilliant.
#23 Counted cross-stitch is my hobby so I could teach you if you wanted. My mom taught me to embroider years ago, and I remember a few things. My first sampler was from my Samantha doll’s American Girl collection. I still have it somewhere.
#17 – Yes, thank you! (Also, I love Ken Burns)
#23 – Right, your cross-stitch work is exquisite. I may take you up on that! I was looking at classes at Gather Here but they fill up so fast.
Sadly, I think the hardest thing on this list is #2. At least for me. That’s… kind of depressing. Love this list!
I totally agree Joanna. John is not at all happy about that one.
I have a documentary recommendation! “Between the Folds” (it’s about origami). Fascinating, and available on Netflix streaming.
Ooooh, sounds right up my alley! Thank you!
I’ve been having a ton of fun with mine. Looking forward to seeing what you post!!!
Here is my list: http://beautifulstatic.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-30-before-30.html
Cool, good luck!
Hi, I stumbled across your blog on the front page of wordpress.com (got sucked in when I saw a review of The Happiness Project, I loved that book & your thoughts on it). I’ll definitely be checking out more of your posts. Anyway I just wanted to say that I love this “30×30” idea and I’m totally going to copy it on my own blog. ;) Thanks!!
Oh wow, thanks for reading and liking the blog! I’d love to hear your thoughts on my other posts too, enjoy!
I think I will make a list too! Of course my year is half gone already, haha but I have a few things to add that I’ve already done.
http://christinadesignsart.wordpress.com/
It’s never too late to get it started!
For #7 – They are inexpensive (compared to other good knives) but I love my Victorinox, my go-to knife is their santoku, and I have a 10 inch chef, their boning knife and paring knife, all with the fibrox handles. They aren’t as glamorous as the Shun, but they are well balanced and awesomely sharp. The Santoku and Chef knives run about $30 a piece on Amazon
Good to know! I hadn’t heard of those before so I’ll definitely look them up.