Dirty Thirty: The List

There are 1,128 hours until my next birthday. Normally I wouldn’t care, wouldn’t even be thinking about my birthday until the day before. But lately, I’ve been practically driven to distraction by the fact that I’m approaching the other side of my third decade.

By this next birthday, according to all basic mathematics, you can round my age up to thirty. That’s right. When people try to guess my age and I’m not around, they’re going to be saying, “She’s thirty-ish.” (The truth is most people believe that twenty-five rounds up to thirty, but I’ve chosen not to calculate things this way for the past year.)

It’s not that I think thirty is old. I don’t. I’ve known a lot of people who’ve survived the transition from twenty-nine to thirty. My sister is forty and smokin’ hot. I’m also well aware that there are people reading this who find it laughable that a twenty-six year old person is having aging anxiety. I understand that twenty-six year olds are still babies in the grand scheme. But, the thing that scares me about turning thirty is the difference between what I thought I would have accomplished by then and what I will probably actually have accomplished.

In an attempt to remedy the panic, I decided to create a list. Inspired by the Bucket List, a movie and now a movement for those wanting to accomplish their dreams before the end of their lives, my list has been modified. It’s not things to do before I die, but things to do before I turn thirty. The Dirty Thirty List. I thought it was an original idea, but after Googling it I’ve discovered that it isn’t. There are lots of people doing this. Which just proves my theory that there isn’t an original idea in the world. Whatever it is, Google already knows about it.

 1

Yes, some of the ideas on my list are the most painful things I could think of. I’m going to try to get in the most wicked shape of my life. I have four years to train. I can do this. Maybe even by Autumn. That’s how motivated I am.

2

 I was working on this one before, but I need to stick to it. Got my audio CDs on hold at the library.

3

I’ve never really stopped being a horse-girl and I’ve managed to keep my horse, but he’s been on summer break at my parents and I realize now that I need to use him or lose him. If he’s going to be in my life I want to ride a lot more and do horse shows. If I’m not going to do those things, he needs to be with a family who will.

4

I have the least faith in myself about this one. It’s just so painful, like psychological torture, to stick with a story idea and write and write about the same character. I really want to do this though. This is happening.

5

I like the job that I do now, but I would love to create my own work schedule and maybe open a business. I would love to work outside or have the flexibility to be outdoors during the day. Or, possibly make #4 into a career. This will continue to be a work in progress over the next several years, but I’d like to have a good start by the time I’m thirty.

6

This is so important. My plan is to visit at least four or more countries in the next four years. And stay at each for at least one week.

7

I got this idea from Life 2.Oh and thought it was neat. My parents are go-getters though. I don’t think they’re going to be waiting around for me to save enough money to help them get bucket list stuff accomplished. Also, there aren’t near old enough to have a bucket list. So, maybe this one can be slightly modified to: Make family and friends an absolute priority. This makes it on to all my to-do lists.

8

Through a series of DIY projects. I don’t want to hire someone and have them come in and make my house into a grown-up escape. I want to slowly create pieces and moods with love and toil so that they’re special. (Actually, I want Brandon to create pieces and moods – with my direction.)

My plan is to take small steps (or a small step) each day to achieving at least one of these Dirty Thirty goals. I only have 36,192 hours and counting.