30 b4 30 or Die Trying
I usually keep my birthday a secret. The reason is that in the past, it's been something that I've hyped, and no one has remembered. Eventually, I stopped answering people when they asked. It wasn't until I had talked to a group of people and found out someone's birthday was the day before mine. I guess I got a little too excited so I blurted out mine shortly afterwards. Then I lost count and ended up telling several others.
Then, it became the series of giveaways I did on my Instagram. I like giving stuff away and lowkey pride myself in working hard to give the best gifts. That's all besides the fact that what I'm really getting at is that I just turned 29. It's not as painful as I thought it would be, mostly because people still tell me I look 22. But it's because I've done a lot for my age that I'm proud of.
In true Gabby fashion that's not being real to myself. I didn't just coast into the last year in my 20s like a normal person. I usually freak out and cry not this time, This time I made a list. I believe you're supposed to read things when they're meant to be read. So when I came about this post by Plan Another Day, I knew I had to do it.
She came up with a list of her own personal 30 before 30 that reflected her and who she was to become as a woman in her 30s. I saw that, took the same concept, translated it, and wrote it down.
So here's my list: 30 b4 30. Some are inspired by other ongoing projects, like my having dinner with 30 different people. I found Rob's project, Robs10kfriends, on Instagram. While I was curious about it. I knew I could replicate it on a smaller scale with 30 people (who knows I might make it bigger). Others are just things I need to do to be a better person.
Create a signature cocktail.
Get a tattoo
Read 30 books
Win something
Express gratitude more often
Learn after effects
Write a letter to me to be opened in 10 years.
Be more mindful
Say yes to everything for one day
Sit and have 30 meals with 30 strangers.
Do a 30-day challenge every month.
Apply to that thing.
Perform a spoken word poem.
Love with reckless abandon.
Become closer to God.
Bake a soufflé
Learn basic French
Go to my first Spurs game
Start and launch my project
Watch the winners of Best Picture since 1989.
Write at least 100 words a day
Give back to my community
Just listen for one whole day
Learn to be in the moment
Go to a missions/ flying chanclas game
Go sky diving
Run a 5k
Try a pisco sour
Keep a plant alive for a year
Get published in saveur or bon appetit.
Here’s to 29! I hope you’re the year I’ve been waiting for. If not, I’ll help you make it the best year yet. If you want to help or participate, send me a message and let’s talk!