One thing you should know about me is that I love making lists. When I turned 20, I started making a list of 30 things I want to do before I turn 30. Now, at 22, I have officially finalized it. Turning 30 can feel like a major milestone, so I created this 30 before 30 list to help me live more intentionally in my 20s.

I took my time with this because I didn’t want it to be some rushed checklist of trendy goals. I wanted each goal to actually reflect who I am and the kind of life I want to live. For it to be something I genuinely wanted to do, something that I would feel proud of to have accomplished. Some are big dreams. Some are silly little things that Little Me always hoped to do. While others are deeply meaningful to me. But together, they create the kind of life I want to look back on proudly. (Almost like a mosaic wink wink.)

Here’s what I hope to accomplish before I turn 30:

1. Travel to 30 countries — After studying abroad, all I really want to do is see as much as the world as I can. 
2. Be fluent in Chinese — I started learning Chinese In college, and I don’t want to give up on it. I want to be able to connect with people using Chinese.
3. Get my Masters/PhD — To be honest, I just think it’d be cool to say I have two degrees. But I’ll only do it if I’m studying something I am genuinely interested in learning about. 
4. Learn to play an instrument (violin?) — Once again, I think it’d be cool to say I can play an instrument. 
5. Wear a bikini on the beach — For a very long time, I’ve been too insecure about my body to wear a bikini to the beach. If I am able to do this, it’ll show how much I’ve grown. In feeling confident, in accepting myself, and in feeling free. 
6. Have 30.000 in savings — Of course, I hope to be financially secure.
7. Get more tattoos ;) — Getting more tattoos, not just because I think they’re cool, but also because it means I’m embracing who I am despite family objections
8. Collect and read the entire Penguin Clothbound Classic Collection — I like to read. I want to branch out and read a new genre, one that I’ve always thought I could never read, because I wasn’t that kind of person. I want to be that person. 
9. Document my life and put the photos into coffee table books — I want to capture my memories in a way that feels artistic and meaningful.
10. Go skydiving — People say skydiving is like a spiritual experience. I want to find out. 
11. Be a bridesmaid for a close friend — I’ve never been able to keep a close friend for very long. Being a bridesmaid for a close friend is something special that I hope I get to experience. 
12. Maintain four consistent hobbies: one for creativity, one for income, one for physical well-being, and one for mental well-being. — My ideal self has a balanced life where I’m always learning, growing, and enjoying my interests.
13. Cry happy tears — I’ve never been able to cry tears of joy. 
14. Randomly dance in the streets of Milan — I’ve seen this all over TikTok, and it’s something I really want to experience. 
15. See the Seven Wonders of the World — I want to see these landmarks of human achievement with my own eyes.
16. Start a blog — Already in progress! Livin Mosaic. A space to share my thoughts, experiences, and personal growth.
17. Do something ridiculous just for the story like in the movies (crash a wedding, hitchhike, join a flash mob, etc.) — Because I am the main character of my life.
18. Learn to snowboard — It sounds like fun and looks cool.
19. Learn self-defense or some type of martial arts — I’ve always to learn how to fight. To protect myself. To be a fighter. To be strong.
20. Exercise more often and keep with it — I’ve never been able to stay consistent with being active, and for my future well-being I want to be. 
21. Have a piece of my writing be published — It’ll mean that other people like my writing. 
22. Go horseback riding — Seems fun!
23. Go snorkeling or scuba diving — To see marine life up close and because it looks like fun.
24. Start my own business — Little Me always dreamt of being a CEO and starting my own business. This may be wishful thinking and even if it fails, at least I tried.
25. Go to all the baseball stadiums in the U.S. — A goal inspired by road trips with a friend from college, and one that I hope they will help me fulfill. 
26. See the Northern Lights — This feels like an unforgettable moment that I would love to experience. 
27. Find a job that fulfills me and aligns with my lifestyle — I’m in my 20s, I have no idea what I want to do with my life. I don’t just want to work; I want to enjoy what I do.
28. Find a place that feels like home — Whether it’s a city, a country, or just a feeling, I want to find a place that feels like home. 
29. Volunteer in another country (elephant sanctuary, teaching, worldpackers, etc.) — I feel like it could be a mind-opening and growing experience.
30. Have a friendship that feels like family — a true 4Lifer — I want the kind of ride-or-die friendship that lasts through everything and feels like family. The kind you see in tv shows and movies

Whenever I accomplish a goal on this list, I will write a blog post about it. It won’t be easy. Some of these will take years of effort, but that’s the point. I don’t want to wake up at 30 and wonder what I did with my 20s. Instead, I want to be able to look back and see a life well-lived, full of adventure, intention, learning, healing, and meaningful connections. 

This list is my guide and a promise to myself: to live authentically, to stay curious, and to create a life I’m proud of — one small mosaic piece at a time.