Unpopular opinion: I’ve never been afraid of getting older. For as long as I can remember I wanted to be older — though seeing the number 30 looming felt strangely odd.
Later this month I turn 29, which means I have almost exactly a year before I’m no longer a twenty-something. It’s wild, but I’m oddly excited. My twenties were full of milestones: graduating college, getting married, starting a family and learning how to run a growing business. There were many question marks and curveballs, and I’m sure my thirties will bring more of the same. Still, heading into a new decade after experiencing so much already feels empowering. I’m ready to lean into the life Jeff and I have been building for our family.
That said, there are a few things I’d love to do before I hit 30. I’m a big fan of bucket lists and resolutions, so this year I decided to actually write down the things I want to accomplish as the clock counts down. I’m sharing this list and a few favorites I recently tried from Olay, who partnered with me on this post. They’re celebrating the milestone of turning thirty — thirty, flirty and thriving — and I’m excited about the reminders to prioritize self-care while chasing life goals. Below are the things I’m hoping to make happen in my final year in my twenties.
1. Grow our family: We hope to expand our family and plan to restart the adoption process soon. The idea of Arlo as a big brother is both surreal and thrilling — I can’t wait for him to have a sibling to play with.
2. Take a big trip: With another child potentially on the way, we want to take one big family trip before our family grows. Australia is at the top of the list — the art and design scene there is irresistible. The flight is intimidating, but it would be an unforgettable adventure.
3. Make retirement a priority: Retirement planning needs to become consistent. Jeff and I each have accounts set up, but we don’t contribute regularly. Money is my biggest stressor, especially living in LA with kids, so making retirement savings an automatic, steady habit is non-negotiable this year.
4. Have a girl’s weekend with my BFF: I recently had an unplanned weekend away with my best friend Lauren and realized how much I needed it. We often hang out with our spouses together, so carving out time just the two of us felt refreshing. I want to plan another mom-free weekend soon.
5. Prioritize my skin: Our office skincare guru Samantha always says that the earlier you start taking care of your skin, the better it will look decades from now. I’m finally listening. Olay sent over some products I’m excited to try, including their Ultimate Eye Cream and Regenerist Whip Moisturizer — small steps toward a consistent routine.
6. Find the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe: During a Mexico trip Lauren and I vowed to spend our final year of our twenties discovering the ultimate chocolate chip cookie. We’ll test a new recipe each month and compare notes. We share similar taste, so this should be a fun (and delicious) project — and I may write a follow-up post about our top picks.
7. Develop signature dishes: I’m no chef, but I’d love to nail down a handful of dependable, beloved recipes I make for family and guests. Having a few go-to dishes that become part of our family’s identity — the ones Arlo might ask for — feels like an easy but meaningful goal.
8. Invest in my wardrobe: I’ve always loved trends and have a weakness for shoes, but I want to invest more in quality staple pieces. Finding the best jeans and the perfect white tee will make everyday dressing easier and more satisfying. I plan to prioritize pieces I’ll wear often rather than impulse buys.
9. Find a morning routine that works: Every interview with successful people seems to start with a consistent morning routine — and I don’t have one. Right now I wake up to Arlo and immediately dive into mom mode, scrambling through breakfast, makeup and getting dressed. I’d like to start waking up an hour earlier so I can prepare myself calmly before the day begins.
10. Make our house a home: We’ve been in our house nearly a year, but it still doesn’t fully feel finished. I want to focus on the larger renovation projects that will make the space more functional for our family. Completing each room has felt incredibly satisfying, and I’m excited to wrap up the rest of the house.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
What’s the number one thing on your list if you’re under 30? If you’ve already passed that milestone, is there anything you’re glad you did or wish you had done? I’d love to hear your thoughts and any advice you want to share.
This post was created in partnership with Olay. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep the Studio DIY party going! Read more about my editorial policies in the site’s terms and privacy policy.