40 Before 40 Bucket List

I turned 30 at the end of last year.

I’m no longer a 20-something. My college days are slowly drifting in my past while this new stage of life quickly approaches. Let’s be clear, 30 isn’t old. I didn’t dread turning 30, it’s actually the exact opposite. Knowing where the last decade took me, I am excited to see what plans pop up for this next one.

30 sounds good to me. 30 sounds like someone who has been through enough experiences to have opinions and offer advice, but 30 still has a lot of life left to live. 30 is grown up enough for “adults” to take you seriously, but young enough to still go out and let loose for a night. 30 sounds like you’ve moved past the 20-something uncertainty and drama, and have grown into yourself and who you are as a person. Maybe not completely, but I’m getting there slowly!

30 feels good. I did a lot in my 20’s, way more than I ever expected to do. I married my high school sweetheart young, knowing if we were going to start our adventure together we didn’t want to waste any time. I worked for a job that I truly loved as a personal trainer changing people’s lives and making a difference in their health. I ran my first marathon. I took a big risk and quit my job to follow a dream. I sat in coffee shops around the world observing different cultures and meeting new friends from different walks of life. I took a motorbike through Laos, hiked to Machu Picchu and lived in Buenos Aires for a month. I climbed sand dunes and escaped charging elephants in Southern Africa, I was face to face with Great White Sharks, and snorkeled alongside sea lions in Galapagos. I slept on overnight busses, trains and planes. I had my first child, which out of all of these stories, this was the most life changing and eye-opening. I found my purpose.

Alone, each story is an adventure, but put together the collective last decade has been life changing. I am a different person than who I was 10 years ago, and am a different person than who I will be 10 years from now.

It is with excitement that Josh and I put together our 40 before 40 list! We know that life will give us twists and turns. There will always be roadblocks and detours, but it’s always smart to have a guide. We also have to be realistic that our next decade will still involve kids in diapers and pregnancy. There are certain adventures that I want to have when my kids are older and able to appreciate the trips, so these choices are for our current stage of life.

40 Before 40 List

Drive an RV through the West Coast national parks. – tentatively planned for next summer!