30 Before 30

Here is my take on the 30 before 30 bucket list…

Do you ever feel a little restless as a stay-at-home mom? Like you absolutely adore your role, and you wouldn’t want to change it… but you really just need an outlet? 

Something that is challenging and exciting and different. Maybe to break up the monotony of motherhood. Or simply, to give yourself something to look forward to during the kids’ naps. 

I feel this, so often. 

Truly, I love being a stay-at-home mom, and feel very fortunate and grateful to have this as my full time calling right now. I get so much joy out of playing with my kiddos and watching them learn. 

But….. It doesn’t mean there aren’t difficult days and moments when I struggle with a bit of an identity crisis. When I think, “yeah, I’m a mom. But I’m also just me. Me, with my own interests and hobbies and aspirations, that aren’t just child care.”

And you know what? I think that’s totally okay.  

In fact, I think pursuing personal goals and hobbies is an important part of self care!

And I’ll probably come back to this point a lot… but self care as a mom is incredibly important. 

Not only should you be taking care of your own mental wellbeing and experiencing regular satisfaction and joy just for the sake of healthy living, but doing so will positively impact the rest of your family too! 

Obviously, there’s some merit to the sayings “happy wife, happy life” and “if mom’s not happy, no one’s happy.” 

So, please make time for self care. 

Anyways, for this reason, one thing that I hope to implement in the upcoming few years is setting and reaching goals! 

30 of them, to be exact. 

I got this idea from my mom. She made up a list of “50 before 50” and has been gradually checking off the goals as she reaches them. 

Some of them are time intensive, like completing multiple quilt projects or identifying 50 different bird species, and others are smaller. But either way, she’s got 50 listed out and has been diligently completing them! 

The reason I love this idea for young moms is because it’s exciting but manageable. The goals can likely be completed around child care and give something very tangible to work towards. Plus, they can be spread out over a couple of years, which allows for more flexibility than new year resolutions and other closer looming deadlines. 

So, I’m setting up a list of 30 goals to complete before I turn 30 years old. Some big, some small. All designed to stretch myself a little, give myself an exciting personal endeavor, and work-in around my new life as a mom. I’ve decided to share my “30 before 30” here, on the blog (accountability!) and give updates as I complete them!

(If you’d like to try it, I’d recommend giving yourself at least 2 years for a list like this. Whether that’s ‘30 before 30’ or ‘40 before 40’ etc. Plan it out so that you’re not trying to cram everything into one year!)

30 Before 30 – as a young mom:

1. Compile and follow a 30 day meal plan
2. Host a holiday party
3. Set up an email account for each child, and send them at least 5 emails each
4. Participate in a book club (and actually finish at least one book)
5. Do a family vacation that requires flying
6. Go fishing (and catch something!)
7. Grow and harvest a vegetable
8. Sew birth teddy bears for each child (using this tutorial)
9. Make 75 cakes or cupcake batches (I’ve already completed 64, so just 11 more to go!)
10. Organize a fundraiser
11. Foster a pet
12. Read the Book of Mormon cover to cover (another testament of Jesus Christ, alongside the Bible)
13. Form a habit of drinking more water each day
14. Learn how to properly use my camera
15. Go on an overnight hike
16. Completely set up my blog
17. Learn three new hymns to play on the piano
18. Refinish a dresser/armoire
19. Keep a journal for 30 consecutive days
20. Learn 15 new hairstyles
21. Do an extensive clean-out of my closet
22. Create a “12 months of dates” box
23. Participate in a marathon
24. Complete genealogy records for 10 ancestors on familysearch.org
25. Learn how to make macarons
26. Make a homemade candle
27. 30 days of yoga and/or meditation
28. Learn simple Portuguese
29. Help someone plan an epic proposal or anniversary date
30. Sell something in a farmers market

There it is! My take on the “30 before 30” list, as a young mom. 

I love that this list gives me something to work towards and enjoy, alongside my daily life caring for two cute kiddos. 

I may need to make adjustments here and there, but for the most part, I’m hoping this will be a successful endeavor, and I can’t wait to share the new things I experience!

What’s on your list? What’s something you’ve always wanted to try?

I’d love to hear about your own personal goals and achievements, alongside your journey of motherhood! Let me know in the comments below!