With the new year just around the corner, I have done some reflecting and, most importantly, thought of so many things I want to do before next year. I thought, “Why not make a list of all the things I want to do before I turn 21?” Here is a list of 21 things I want to do before I turn 21.
1. Go on a spontaneous trip with friends.
Whether we go to Kansas City, Lake of the Ozarks or even Disney World, I want to go on a trip where we decide to go a couple of weeks before. Adventure is something everyone should do in their early adult life.
2. Go to a music festival.
Believe it or not, I’ve never been to a music festival and I would love to be able to go before next year. Concerts have always been something that I enjoy and I want to be able to experience that on a bigger scale.
3. See the sunrise from the mountains.
Being from Colorado, the mountains are just a short drive away but I have never seen the sunrise from them before. This summer I hope to go to the mountains and see them in all their glory.
4. Go to a lantern festival.
Every girl wants to live out their “Tangled” dream of going to a lantern festival and seeing all the beautiful lanterns fill the sky.
5. Do karaoke.
Now this is a simple one, but I’ve never done karaoke before, mostly out of fear but also because I’ve never really made a point to go.
6. Actually learn to play my guitar.
I have had a guitar since high school and I like to say I know how to play it, but in all honesty, I only know a few chords. I love to learn new things, and sitting down and teaching myself to play has been on my bucket list for a while.
7. Read at least one book in a genre I’ve never tried.
I love reading and want to expand what kind of books I read.
8. Create a budget and stick to it (financial independence starts now).
It’s time to actually start saving money and being smart about my financial decisions.
9. Volunteer at the Humane Society.
I love to volunteer and absolutely miss my dog when I’m at college, so volunteering and working with animals would be so much fun and a great way to give back.
10. Do three kind things for a stranger every day.
I always try my best to be kind to everyone but I want to make a conscious effort to make a positive impact on the people I interact with.
11. Learn how to cook four new meals.
Moving into an apartment this year with its own kitchen has made me realize I don’t know how to cook enough foods to not get sick of them after a couple of weeks. So I’m going to learn some new things to cook.
12. Zipline over Niagara Falls.
This one I’m not sure is going to happen before I turn 21, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and who knows, maybe my spontaneous trip can be to Canada!
13. Have a themed dinner with my friends.
I’m not sure what the theme will be yet, but maybe a Disney-themed dinner or even a Hunger Games-themed dinner before the Sunrise on the Reaping movie comes out. Either way, it will be a lot of fun.
14. Continue to keep in touch with my teachers and coach from high school.
This isn’t really something I want to do, but instead something I want to continue. I find that my teachers and coach from high school have become some of the people I am most comfortable going to for advice, and I am so grateful to be able to see them when I go home for breaks.
15. Go on a solo date.
This absolutely terrifies me. Eating alone at a restaurant or even seeing a movie by myself is something that I have never been comfortable doing. But I think once I do it and get over the nervousness at first, I’ll find that I actually love my own company.
16. Pull an all-nighter
While many people see pulling an all-nighter as inevitable in college, I have yet to pull an all-nighter.
17. Study abroad
I want to see so many new places, and I believe a great way to see a part of the world with people your own age is to study abroad. I have heard that it can be truly life-changing.
18. Start using my LinkedIn.
Do I have a LinkedIn? Yes. Do I ever update it? No. I have yet to post one thing on my LinkedIn. Yes, I know that’s not great, but that’s why it’s on my list!
19. Make a college scrapbook.
I want to remember the things that I did in these short years, and since there is no yearbook in college, I want to make my own of sorts and I should really get started on it.
20. Get another tattoo
Yes, I said another. I have one tattoo, but I have always wanted to get one that pays homage to my childhood home and the place that raised me. I hope to be able to get it soon.
21. Learn to say no.
On a more serious note, I’m a people pleaser through and through and I really want to change that. Do I want those around me to be happy and willing to go to me for anything? Yes. But I also want to be able to say no to things that I actually don’t want to do.
I hope this has inspired you to add something to your own bucket list or found inspiration to start your own list.