My 30 before 30 bucket list – how to make the most out of the last years of my twenties

Revealing the list! (Part 1)

I have always loved a good list. I make lists for everything: groceries, must-see travel destinations, books I want to read and so on. Once as a pre-teen I even crafted an extensive list of pros and cons to figure out the best option between two upper secondary schools. Against this background, I’m genuinely surprised I didn’t craft a 30 before 30 bucket list sooner! Once I did, however, it didn’t take me long and I was instantly fully committed.

In this post, I’ll share the first 15 things that made it to my list. I want to include a little description to go with each item and stuffing all 30 into one post would require an amount of time and effort that I don’t have. Also if you want to just scroll through the headlines and not bother with reading my explanations, this allows you to do so.

I wrote this list with a few guidelines in mind, but the most important one was and still is this: my time on this floating rock in space is limited. Let this 30 before 30 bucket list act as a way for me to start using that time more intentionally and on the things that light me up. In no particular order, let me introduce you to my list!

1. Participate in an official running event

My relationship with running can be summarised with one word: pain. I’ve always despised running with a burning passion. At the beginning of this year, I decided to change that. My goal for 2024 was to be able to run a consistent 5k. Despite my very best efforts to sabotage myself, I eventually did it.

As the next step in my running journey, I’ve decided to participate in a running event. No, I am not running a marathon. That still seems like torture to me. But I have booked my event—more on that in another post!


2. Complete a puzzle that’s bigger than 1000 pieces

Puzzling is one of the best mindful activities for me. I don’t do it very often because the process takes over our entire living room, but I find it deeply satisfying when I do. My usual puzzle size is 1000 pieces, but a gorgeous 1500-piece Disney puzzle has been sitting in my game drawer for quite some time. This feels like the perfect time to enjoy it!

This picture is my latest puzzling creation. Please note my gorgeous DIY puzzle mat that was cut out of a random old tablecloth.


3. Host a PowerPoint night

I’ve been obsessed with the idea of a PowerPoint night ever since they became popular on the side of TikTok I inhabit. At the time, I was doing my teacher training and making slides all day and all night, so the timing wasn’t right.

Now that most of my friends and I have graduated, I think it would be an amazing opportunity to get together and have fun learning about everyone’s interests. I don’t yet have a theme in mind, but I’m sure it’ll come to me.


4. Organise my grandmother’s yarn

My gorgeous and lively grandmother on my dad’s side passed away when I was just a kid. She was a creative like me, especially talented in cross stitch and embroidery. After her passing, all of her yarn and other supplies went to my mom. Some years ago mom asked if I wanted to have them.

Absolutely I did, and now I’ve been trying to organise the hundreds and hundreds of yarns for years. Doing it makes me feel close to my grandmom and I think she would have liked seeing them in order. Time to finish this project!


5. Visit a new national park in Finland

I grew up surrounded by nature. I played in a nearby forest with my friends, went on hiking trips and sailed with my dad. Finland has exactly 40 national parks, of which I have visited max. 5 and most of those as a kid, too small to remember anything.

A while back I made a checklist intending to tick off every single one of these parks. I haven’t made much progress and that needs to change. It would be insanity for me to live in a place like this and not see as much as it has to offer. So I’m starting with a goal of visiting just one new park, hoping it’ll get the ball rolling.


6. Try a new style of dance

Dance has played a huge role in my life. I started as one of those toddlers running around the stage in their tutus and then moved on to solo ballroom dancing. As an adult, I’ve focused heavily on show burlesque, even being a part of a performing group for the past three years.

I ended up parting ways with my previous group in part because of financial reasons, and in part because I felt like I was no longer developing as a dancer. That’s why I want to try something completely new. Maybe at my old studio, maybe somewhere new, who knows.


7. Cook a three-course meal

Ask me to make a cheesecake or cupcakes or cinnamon rolls, I’m on it! Ask me to cook anything more complicated than some meat on a stove with a side of pasta, and I’m lost.

Just once in my life, I want to be able to create a fancy meal at home. I plan on picking out wines to go with the courses as well and treat my partner to a delicious date night at home.


8. Go to Ruisrock

Ruisrock is a local music festival hosted every summer. It’s been a part of the cultural scene in Finland for decades and people travel from all over the country to experience it. I’m not much of a festival goer, but it just seems stupid to live in the city where it’s hosted and not go.

For the last couple of years, I’ve always been at work during the festival (the story of my life, being in the service industry) so I’m hoping I can get the weekend off for once. And also that the artist selection is good!!


9. Get a massage

I work on my feet all day every day, carrying heavy stuff and running around like a maniac. Need I say more about why this is on my list? This body can surely use all the help it can get.


10. Finish a video game at 100% completion

This is an everyday experience for some gamers, I’m sure, but not for me. I’m definitely a collector, going after all the treats and trinkets in a game, but never consistently enough to get a 100% completion score.

I’m going to have to choose something manageable though, I do not have 100s of hours to invest into one game. That’s why Astro Bot seems like a good idea, we’ll see.


11. Pay off as much of my student loan as possible

Studying at university in Finland is free, but that does not mean that life is. During my 7,5 years of studying, I got an amount of debt that leaves me paralyzed if I start thinking about it too deeply.

I know paying it off completely in two years with my current salary is unrealistic. I have a sum in mind but don’t want to share too many financial details online, so the vague goal of ‘as much as possible’ will have to do at this point.


12. Craft something for myself

When I get the urge to make something, I usually give my creations away as gifts. There’s nothing wrong with that, I love giving handmade gifts. But this once I think I want to make and keep something just for myself.

What that something is going to be? No idea. I don’t even know if it will be knitted, cross-stitched or made in pottery class, but I know I’m going to make something and enjoy it.


13. Volunteer

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done unpaid labour before, but I’m talking about volunteering for a cause here. My local library offers some great options like reading with the elderly, or maybe I’ll find some work with youths and children. I feel like I’m at a stage in my life where I’m more secure in what I have to offer and no longer such a mess as I have been. This feels like a great time to reach out and see how I could help the people in my community.


14. Go to the theater

The performing arts are a constant source of amazement and wonder for me. I even went to a high school that offered an acting program. I quickly got the sense it wasn’t what I was supposed to be doing but it left me with a deep appreciation for the art of live theater.

This picture is taken in a historic theater in my city. It looks like this, has such an amazing variety of shows and I’ve only been once?? In the words of a beloved dragon: “Shame on you! Shame on your family! Shame on your cow!”


15. Sleepover with a friend

I am surrounded by an amazing group of friends, all of whom I’ve met at different stages in my life. I’ve had sleepovers with some of them multiple times, but there are others I still want to share a girl’s night with. Snacks, a movie, a home spa, comfortable pyjamas… Who says sleepovers are only for kids?


Well here it is friends. The first 15 things on my bucket list. A list that’s very personal and even a bit random, but it is my list and I’m super happy with it. Let me know what you thought about it! It would be cool if I managed to inspire you to add one of these things to your own bucket list.

PS: You’ll probably have to wait another week for part 2, I’ve found that finding just the right pictures takes forever. Whether it’s digging through my Google Photos or looking for royalty-free pics, I quickly realize hours have passed…

– All my love, Ansku

Comments

2 responses to “My 30 before 30 bucket list – how to make the most out of the last years of my twenties”

  1. Evolution.org.Ua Avatar

    Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a entirely different topic but it has
    pretty much the same layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors! https://Evolution.org.ua/

  2. Lea Häyrinen Avatar
    Lea Häyrinen

    Hienoa! Tunnen sinut nyt paljon paremmin kun luin nämä.

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