30 things to do before you turn 30. Or 40. May be 50.

So I recently turned 30. 

I've heard a lot of my friends complain endlessly about reaching the supposedly ‘ill-fated’ 30s. Turns out, it’s not so bad.

I’ve been reminiscing, which invariably I believe anyone who turns 30 tends to do. Looking back at my life over these 3 decades, it has been one hell of a ride. I didn’t scale the Everest or make a truck load of money, but it’s been nothing short of exciting to say the least.

There’s been love, loss, joy, despair, pride, regret, heart wrenching pain, and every other emotion I can possibly think of. And there’s more to come, I’m sure.

So I came up with a list of thirty things I think you should do before you turn thirty…or forty. Maybe fifty. Even sixt..you get the drift.

1. Wake up early

And see the sun rise. Feel the cool air in your face, with a cup of hot coffee in your hand. 

2. Laugh until your stomach hurts

Laugh at jokes. Crack a joke and make people laugh. Laugh so much that tears roll down your cheeks. Laugh so hard that you literally roll on the floor. Don’t worry about what the next person thinks. Laugh a lot. And loud. It’s awesome.

3. Eat exquisite food

Experiment with food. Try as many cuisines as you can get your hands on. Eat to your heart’s content and never apologise for it. Exercise can come after. Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.

  

4. Ride a bike

Ride a bike somewhere. Let the wind slap your face. Ride up hills. Cover good distance. Get drenched in the drizzle as you leave everything behind.

  

5. Play a sport

Be part of a team. Feel the exhilaration of winning together. And the pain of losing together. Take responsibility. Help others train. Watch yourself transform into a better player, a team mate and a person. Play in front of a crowd and hear them cheer for you.

6. Say thanks to a teacher

Especially someone from your school. Do this now, if you haven’t already. You’d be a better person for it. Believe me, they deserve it.

7. Help out a total stranger

Help an old woman cross the road. Help a road-side vendor push his cart. Help a fellow passenger load their luggage in the cabin. Let an old person go ahead of you in a queue. Hold the lift for someone. Accept their gratitude.

8. Go on a long drive

Drive a car. Take a road trip with friends, partner, or family. Let your hair down, put your shades on and just drive.

9. Go on a trek

Trek a hill, small or big. Climb up and feel your muscles burn. Sweat it out. Stand atop and be proud of what you accomplished.

10. Sleep under the stars

Camp out for a night. Eat and sleep in the open. Stare at the stars and crush some mosquitoes.

11. Get sloshed

Get drunk with your friends or loved ones. Blabber without inhibition. Express all you want. Dance away to glory. Have a hangover the next morning and promise yourself not to do it again. Try and stick to the promise. 

12. Dance

Oh dance. Like no one’s watching. In your house, at school, at the disc, anywhere. Just dance and feel all the weight drain off your shoulders.

13. Watch a movie in a theatre

Watch a Rajnikanth movie in a theatre in Tamilnadu on the first day if you can. Rush inside with the crowd. Experience the thrill, the noise, the whistles, and the jubilation.

14. Get on a plane

Travel in an airplane. Look down after you’ve taken off. Bring perspective to life. And while you’re at it, enjoy a drink or two.

15. Live in a hostel

Live with a bunch of roommates. Wake up late and fight for the bathroom. Eat the bad food and complain about it. Go to the night show. Break curfew. Visit each other’s home.

  

16. Make your parents proud of you

Top your class. Play a music instrument. Graduate and take a picture with them with your hat on. Buy something nice for them with your first salary. Send them on a fully paid holiday.

17. Binge-watch a good TV/Web series

Watch a good tv or web series. There's a ton these days. Watch a whole season through the night. Sleep through the next day. Have a favourite character.

18. Cook a meal

Doesn’t matter if you aren’t good at it. Just make dal and rice. Hell, just make an omelette. Cook something, its therapeutic.  

19. Go on a solo trip

To a place that’s on your bucket list. Let your jaw drop looking at the spectacle. Get perspective.

20. Fall in love

Love someone unconditionally. Be vulnerable. Share all your secrets. Pamper and get pampered. Make mistakes. Get your heart broken. Move on.

21. Go on a date

Meet someone new. Have a conversation, make them smile. Learn something about them.

22. Apologise to someone you’ve hurt

Let go of that ego. Say sorry, it feels good. Let them know you didn’t intend to hurt them. More importantly, forgive yourself.

23. Make one friend whom you can call at 3 in the morning without a second thought

Earn that one loyal friend with whom you can talk about anything, share your darkest secrets and not be judged. Defend them to your life. Get into a fight for him or her. Get beaten up and then laugh about it.

24. Experience snow

Go up north in India or go anywhere else. Watch the snow fall. Grab some in your hands. Smear some on to your face. Ski if you can.

25. Host a party

Have people over to your house. Invite 5 people or 50 people. Cook food or order in. Make it BYOB for all you care.

26. Donate money

And watch how it makes someone else’s life better. It doesn’t have to be a lot. Just look at that smile on the face of the guy who collects your old newspaper when he sees that 10 rupee note.

27. Go to a live concert

Go watch your favourite band play live. Or any band for that matter. Drown in the music and groove with the crowd. Sing along even if you don’t know the lyrics. Imagine yourself playing the guitar.  

28. Go for a swim

Jump in the pool once in a while, or the ocean. Or just sit in the bath tub. Don’t worry if you don’t know to swim. Just dive in the water and splash around. Just stay in the water and move with it.

29. Have a pet

Get a dog. Or a cat. Get any pet. Feed her (or him), walk her, play with her. Let her jump at you when you get back home from work.

30. Read a book

Read at least one book. Read many, ideally. Don’t ask me why. Just read. 

May be you’ve done all of these. May be you haven’t. Give it a shot. You won’t regret any of it. 

As the cliché goes – age is just a number.