Every year, I write a list of things I want to accomplish in the upcoming year. Even though this year is “33 Things to Do Before I’m 33,” it all stems from something I decided to do 20 years ago.

“13 things to do before I turn 13,” I wrote in my journal a few days before my birthday (back in the early 2000’s.)

Something came over me that made me feel desperate for a change. Now, this was before, for example, everyone and their dog had an Instagram, when teacher’s told us “you’re not going to grow up with a calculator in your pocket.” And way before I had access to anything other than my best friend’s older sister’s stash of old “cosmopolitan” magazines.

two decades in the making

Let’s just say that I’ve…. evolved… from the 12 year old that thought she was the main character in “13 Going on 30.”

Why should I list the things I want to do before I’m 33?

Birthdays come with all different types of feelings for all different types of people. Myself, for example, has (until this year) disliked my birthday. But eventually you have to ask yourself: “Why!?”

I could go into details about all the things that lead me here, but today I’m choosing to share some reasons I’m changing moving forward (and why you should, too!) For instance, self-love, is one. Appreciation, acceptance, joy, wisdom- to list a few more.

why do we accocciate birthdays with milestones?

Firstly, birthday’s can feel like they hold significant milestones in life. I remember crying when I turned 25 simply because I didn’t want to be 25. (Now I love when people guess that I’m 26!)

When we get into our 30’s, we start to realize that we really aren’t THAT old. We begin to find ourselves, we might go through really big changes, and we learn all the lessons we thought we learned in our teens and in our 20’s.

Many of us have experienced a lot. We’ve probably been to Hell and back. If we are fortunate, we have found peace, love, and our place in the world. Yet there’s always room for new adventures, growth, and self-discovery.

the bucket list.

Here’s my “bucket list” of things to do before I turn 33, and some journal prompts to help you plan for 33 things you want to achieve before you turn 33 (or however old you may be turning.) This is especially beneficial if you’re looking to create your own list without having to base it off what others are doing.

1. Go Hiking
2. Read More Self-Development Books
3. Eat Nutritious Foods More Frequently.
4. Take Myself Out on Dates
5. Save a TON of Money (essentially, I’m trying to save more than I spend on ‘wants’.)
6. Practice my Hobbies or Try New Ones.
7. Run a Half-Marathon
8. Volunteer
9. Drink More Water, furthermore: carry around a water bottle.
10. Monetize my Blog; even so, I recognize that it requires effort that I want to give.
11. Take a Fitness Class
12. Create an Evening Routine
13. Practice More Self Care
14. Meditate Daily
15. Use Work Benefits (to equally feel more abundant and to provide myself with self care.)
16. Get a Raise Following a schedule change.
17. Practice Gratitude Daily
18. Print, Frame AND Hang Photos
19. Deep Clean House
20. Declutter. Evidently, a decluttered space creates a decluttered mind.
21. Spend More Quality Time with my Little
22. Have a Family Get-Together
23. Update My Wardrobe
24. Spend More Time with Friends
25. Create a Balanced Life (the earlier I can put all these goals into action, the quicker this will come to life.)
26. Journal Daily
27. Stay Happy
28. Keep being Authentic & Genuine
29. Go Dancing!
30. Learn to Garden- in my home or elsewhere!
31. Take Breaks When You Need Them!
32. Do Kind Things Often
33. Donate Blood

Journal Prompts to Create Your Own Goals

• Where in the world are you most excited to explore and why?
• Is there a culture that interests you? (Different language, something you’d like to learn more about, something you’d like to experience?)
• Is there a particular type of diet you’ve always wanted to try? (A different type of cuisine? Vegan or Vegetarian? Focusing on whole foods?) Describe your ideal meal.
• What’s something you’ve always wanted to do, but never had someone to do it with? (Can you do this on your own?)
• What are 5 books or movies you’ve always meant to read/watch (except have not made time to?)
• What is a hobby you’ve always wanted to try, exclusively for your own enjoyment and relaxation?
• What is a fitness goal that has always made you say, “I wish I could do that!”

you can’t be the type of person you want to be without doing the things that type of person would do.

• What mindset practice would benefit you given your current state of mind?
• What is an artistic trait of yours that you would like to practice more of?
• What is something you would love to learn?
• Who is your favorite artist, athlete, or event that you may finally be able to see?
• What is the financial goal you would like to achieve?

money is energy. if you welcome it, it will come.

• If you had to provide guidance to someone, what topic would it be on given that you have experience and passion in this area??
• If you could do anything today with no restrictions, what would it be? From this point, what would be the first baby step?
• If you could work in any profession without any limitations, what would it be?
• Furthermore, what is a topic you are passionate about?
• Following that, if you were famous, what would it be for?
• If you had all of your favorite people in one place, where would it be, and what would you be doing?
• If you had to provide guidance to someone, what topic would it be on given that you have experience and passion in this area?
• What would you be doing if you didn’t have access to screens for 24 hours?
• If you were to share your life with your ancestors, in which method would you? (Photos, story writing, story telling?)
• What does financial freedom look like to you? For example: being debt free, saving $10 000.00, or not worrying about payments for a whole month.
• What is something you find yourself looking back on that you thoroughly enjoyed?
• What is your favorite thing to do in nature?

Now that you’ve asked yourself questions that generally provided you with some insight, go back and extract goals that you can work on for the rest of the year that will cultivate happiness in your life!

I want to know what’s on your bucket list this year! Connect with me on Instagram and TikTok!