My life is all about goals. Places I want to go, things I want to learn. I’m all about bettering myself and experiencing life as much as I can. I recently came across a list of things to do before you turn 25. After making a few tweaks, I have decided to share the list with you. Whether you are 14 trying to get through high school in one piece, 19 and trying to figure out how to adult, or 30 and looking to expand your world perspectives, this list has something for everyone.
1. Save $5000 for an emergency fund. Life happens. You never know when you are going to need some extra money for things like car repairs, medical expenses, a spur of the moment trip back home, or whatever else life can- and will- throw your way.
2. Find a way to wake up in the morning that you don’t completely hate. I know you might be able to sleep until your 10AM class right now, but after school, you’ll have to get an adult job in the cruel adult world. For many people, this means being up before 8AM. You might as well get prepared now.
3. Learn to cook at least three or four of your favorite meals really well. Whether you are cooking for a date, your family, or just yourself, every adult needs to know how to cook something that doesn’t require the use of a microwave. I’ve found pasta dishes to be relatively easy.
4. Cook a turkey by yourself. This one intimidates me. A turkey for Thanksgiving is a must. While it may seem easy enough when you watch your relatives cook the bird for you now, this skill is something you may need to practice over the years to perfect.
5. Go to the movies by yourself. Don’t be embarrassed! Just because you don’t have a friend that wants to see that sappy romance movie with you doesn’t mean you have to wait for it to come out for you to see. Go enjoy yourself at the movies!
6. Decorate your apartment to make it feel like home. Plan. Plan. Plan. Sure, second hand things are cheap. But this is YOUR home! Make it what you want to. Decorate with things that fit your personal taste.
7. Keep a couple of house plants (that aren’t cacti). So I have a cactus. No regrets. However, I’ve gone a month without watering that thing and it is still alive. I can’t keep fish alive, so I’m anxious to see how well I do with plants...
8. Take that recommendation your friend has been trying to give you for years now. You know the one. I have a list of books one of my cousins tells me to read. There has to be 100 books on there. It doesn’t really matter what the recommendation is. They may have told you to start eating better or that you need to try a certain restaurant. It’s time you break down and just do it.
9. Visit another continent. One of my life dreams is to tour Europe, specifically Greece. When you are in your twenties, it is the perfect time to do all the traveling you can. You are young, probably not tied down by anything. The world is your oyster.
10. Go on at least one town or city break to somewhere in your own country that you wouldn’t normally think of visiting. I went to New Orleans on spring break a few months ago, and while I’ve been there before and have always intended on going again, I had a blast. I don’t know where to tell you to go, but I can tell you to just go. Visit somewhere like Minneapolis or Santa Barbara. Go!
11. Volunteer (both at home and in a different country). This one kind of goes back to visiting another continent. Not only can you do something at home like participate in Habitat for Humanity, but you can go across the world and help with disaster relief or even teach English for a few weeks in the summer.
12. Ask your boss for a raise. You are now a strong, independent adult! If you deserve it, there is no shame in asking for a raise. Stick up for yourself and know your worth.
13. Learn a new skill, like a foreign language, an instrument, or even something like dealing cards. I want to know every language. In reality, I have taken four years of Spanish in high school, and I’m nowhere near fluent. BUT. Everyone needs goals, right?
14. Watch 100 of the IMDb top 250 movies of all time. This one is pretty easy and cheap compared to some of the other goals on this list. I’m 19 years old and I already have 65 of the IMDb top 250 under my belt. Have a date night or rainy Sunday coming up? Break out the DVD player (or hit up a movie renting service such as Amazon) and enjoy!
15. Organize a monthly dinner with your friends you don’t see all the time, so you don’t fall out of touch. At this point in my life, I can’t do this. I go to school 900 miles from my friends and family. So maybe it’s not dinner. Maybe it’s a group Skype video chat.
16. Find a form of exercise you actually enjoy. I’m still on the hunt. I hear people enjoy running long distances or doing yoga with friends. Always things to try.
17. Find a style that works for you and build a wardrobe around it. Try to add to it a little each month. Are you a bold person? Prefer something understated and simple? Figure it out and hit the mall. You can’t dress in graphic tees forever.
18. Group together all the clothes you no longer wear and give them all to charity. Try to be as brutal as you can. Speaking of those graphic tees...
19. Treat yourself to an item of clothing that you really like but wouldn’t usually buy. I foresee a new pair of expensive sneakers in my near future. Maybe you need one good formal dress or a really great suit. Or maybe you’ve been eyeing that Coach purse. Go for it! Just don’t make it a habit.
20. Make a list of 10 restaurants you really want to try out, and go to all of them. Once you’ve completed it, do 10 more. Going to school in a new city on the opposite side of the country, I’ve seen and been to quite a few new restaurants. A friend even introduced me to Vietnamese Pho! Try it, if you haven’t. Try it all!
21. Take something that’s always interested you and really teach yourself about it. I’ve always been interested in people. Different cultures. Why people do what they do. Because of this, I’ve spent a lot of time watching documentaries on people. I’m not sure if people interest everyone, but you find something for you.
22. Keep a list of books you want to read and work your way through it. Like that list of book recommendations from my cousin...
23. Make sure you know how to do basic household things like change a light bulb, clean the toilet, and put a wash in without ruining anything. If you are 25 and can’t figure out how to change a light bulb, we need to talk.
24. Do one thing that falls well outside of your comfort zone. Do something crazy for this one! While seeing a movie by yourself might be outside your comfort zone, consider something like skydiving or bungee jumping. Adventure! It’s wonderful.
25. Make a special savings pot that isn’t for “the future”, but for something you really, really want. Thinking about a new car? Itching to take that trip to Greece? Whether you are putting change into a plastic cup or putting every $5 bill you get into a shadow box, don’t just set a goal, but reach it.
These are 25 things I plan to do before I am 25. Life is full of adventure and unexpected happenings. If you aren’t taking chances, aren’t doing what you want to be doing, are you really living? Write this down. Make your own list if you aren’t thrilled with mine. Whatever you do, make sure you take advantage of all the opportunities life gives you. You never know how long you have, so it’s never too early to start.
