30 Awesome Things to Do When You Are 30

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updated Mar 17, 2021

Woman walking in Berlin. — lechatnoir / Getty Images

If you're like many others, when you turned 30, you panicked. You might have even cried. You planned and threw a massive birthday party...and then made a list. It's time to decide to embrace your 30th year by writing a list of 30 fabulous things that you want to experience or achieve over the next 12 months that will make the year fun (rather than make you stress about not having checked all the age-appropriate boxes.) While your list might include to-dos that are specific to your life—master the art of making caramel, go to the ballet, etc.—we've put together a more general list to inspire your choices.

Congrats, you’re 30! Instead of complaining about being another year older, make a list, seize the day, and have some fun.

Here are 30 things to do in your 30s.

01 of 30

Travel to Somewhere You've Never Been

friends on a trip — Westend61 / Getty Images

Sure, international travel is great, but you've likely been to fewer places in the domestic United States than you care to mention. Now is the time. Whether you travel alone, with a significant other, or with a group of your best friends, close your eyes and pick a place on a map of America and hit the ground running.

02 of 30

Pick up a New Book

reading a book — Anastasiia Krivenok / Getty Images

Read a classic you've always wanted to read but never got around to. You know the one: You've devoured tons of current best-sellers, but there's that one book (or 10!) that you're always a little embarrassed to say you never picked up in high school or college. And hey, it's a classic for a reason—it will likely expand your creative view in a way that you never thought it would.

03 of 30

Fall in Love

couple in hotel bed — Sofie Delauw / Getty Images

Ok, so this isn't exactly something that you can force, but the sentiment behind this list item is this: Let loose. Stop wondering how you look to others, stressing over how smart or creative you sound in conversation, or listening to that ticking clock. Just be yourself! The rest will fall into place.

Consider joining dating apps like Bumble, Hinge, Tinder, or more. Even if you wind up meeting someone more organically, it will allow you a little dating practice so that it doesn't all seem quite so daunting.

04 of 30

Rob the Cradle

young couple — Michael Heffernan / Getty Images

If you're single, go out with someone who is scandalously young, like a recent college grad. After all, it wasn't that long ago that you were in their shoes, too. You've become quite serious in recent years and dating someone a bit younger might just remind you of your reckless abandon.

05 of 30

Host a Dinner Party

Young couple hosting a dinner party outdoors — svetikd / Getty Images

Hosting a dinner party is a great way to get old friends together, introduce new ones, and maybe even meet a few new people yourself. And don't stress out over the setting. Whether you're married and living in a suburban home or still single in a tiny studio apartment—your friends don't care! They just want to come over for some good wine, great food, and killer company.

06 of 30

Buy a Nice Piece of Furniture

vintage shopping — Tony Anderson / Getty Images

It's officially time to get rid of all of that Ikea furniture that you've been hoarding since college. Whether you've been eyeing a splurge or going thrifting instead, it's time to find that diamond in the rough and start to update your nest.

07 of 30

Ditch Your Roots

Get rid of your roots. Go natural or close to it. The deep brunette-to-ice blonde is too much to maintain for the next 60 plus years. It's time to embrace the hair that's growing out of your own head.

08 of 30

Invest in Beauty

face lotion — kate_sept2004 / Getty Images

Invest in face and hand creams. Use them often. Your 40-year-old self will thank you. Not only should you have been moisturizing already, but as we get older, our skin is only getting naturally dryer, so it's more and more important to take care of it as you get older.

09 of 30

Step-up Your Booze Game

woman with martini shaker — agrobacter / Getty Images

Level up your booze game: Get top shelf. You’ve been drinking charcoal-filtered long enough. After all, it's only a few more dollars for a bottle of whiskey that doesn't taste like window washer fluid.

10 of 30

Splurge

fashion week bracelets street style — Christian Vierig / Getty Images

Buy one piece of nice jewelry for yourself. Don't wait for someone else to do it. The flimsy metal pieces you've been collecting just isn't going to cut it for long and it's time you start building a collection that will not only stand the test of time but that you will be able to pass along to your children one day.

11 of 30

Save Money

money jar — JGI / Jamie Grill / Getty Images

Save money. Whether it’s for a new car or to fund your next trip, you’ll be happy you did it. Besides, now that you're 30, it's time to start shopping better and not more.

12 of 30

Keep Exercising

workout class — John Fedele / Getty Images

Keep your routine—you will regret it if you don't. It' so hard for you to get back into it once you stop, so you might as well keep the momentum going strong.

13 of 30

Amp up Your Hostess Game

table setting — Natalie McComas / Getty Images

Buy and use cloth napkins. Invest in some new china. It's time to ditch the plain white plates you've had for years and stop using paper towels as napkins when you invite your friends over. It will instantly elevate your hostess game, too.

14 of 30

Be Polite

Say thank you when people compliment you. We know—it's hard to take one...you're humble! But it's time to learn that you should appreciate yourself the way that everyone else does and take a little credit for all that you do.

15 of 30

Learn About Wine

Start a wine cellar—even if it’s in the back of your hallway closet. Invest in lesser-known bottles when wine tasting, and store them to enjoy at a later date. You might even want to sign up for a few wine classes, be it virtually or in-person, to explore some tastes that you never would have known to look for.

16 of 30

Drink More Water

woman drinking water — Peopleimages / Getty Images

Drinking more water is the single best thing that you can do for your mind, body, and skin. You're not hurting anyone but yourself when you're dehydrated and, let's be honest, you're really not doing yourself any favors when you are.

17 of 30

Make Cocktails

woman making cocktails — Tanveer Badal / Getty Images

Make cocktails with fresh-picked citrus—think daiquiris or margaritas with limes, greyhounds with grapefruit, or sidecars with lemons. Have a favorite pour at a local restaurant? Chat up the bartender and learn how to make some semblance of it at home. Hey, you might even have so much fun that you start making up your own and become your friends' favorite mixer!

18 of 30

Print Your Favorite Photos

hanging picture — Marko Geber / Getty Images

Go through your most beloved pics and choose a few to set out around your home. Fame them, large or small, and give your space a little more personality than it might have had without. We promise: Especially when you're feeling down, looking at a bunch of photos of your nearest and dearest is just the thing that you'll need for a pick-me-up.

19 of 30

Ditch Old Undies

lingerie drawer — fstop123 / Getty Images

Get rid of any tired underwear—no matter how comfortable they are. If they have holes in them or if they’re stained, throw them away. You'd do the same with an old grungy T-shirt, so why not Marie Kondo your lingerie drawer as well?

20 of 30

Write and Send Thank You Cards

woman writing a letter — Jamie Grill / Getty Images

One of the most important practices as an adult—yes, we said it—is writing and sending thank you cards. And they don't have to only pop up when your friends give you a gift, either. Did someone invite you over for a dinner party? Weekend away? Babysit your puppy while you were working? It's time to give back, even if it's just through your eloquent words.

21 of 30

Use Proper Glasses

wine and champagne glasses — Jamie Grill / Getty Images

Gone are the days of pouring cabernet into a pint glass and drinking an IPA from a coffee mug. Shop some wine glasses, champagne flutes, and maybe even whiskey glasses while you're at it.

22 of 30

Bake a Cake

woman baking a cake — Tetra Images / Getty Images

Bake a cake from scratch for a friend who is turning 30 too. He or she will appreciate the hard-work you put in so much more than if you'd gone out to the store to purchase one, ready-made.

23 of 30

Take a Lesson

Learn a new skill. It could be a golf lesson, pasta making class, calligraphy webinar—whatever strikes your fancy!

24 of 30

Swim in the Ocean

women running into the ocean — Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images

Land-locked? Hop in the car and take a little road trip. There's nothing quite like the sand between your toes and the salty waves crashing at your back.

25 of 30

Go on a Road Trip

Friend group on a road trip together — wundervisuals / Getty Images

It's the perfect way to visit an old friend or head to a city to which you've never been. It's a definite must on your calendar this year, whether you fly solo or bring a bunch of friends along for the ride.

26 of 30

Give the Gift of Flowers

bouquets of flowers — Mavocado / Getty Images

Bring a friend a surprise bouquet of flowers for no reason at all. It will brighten up her home, smell absolutely delicious, and make her smile every time she looks at the arrangement.

27 of 30

Plan an Impromptu Picnic

friends picnic — Compassionate Eye Foundation / Hero Images / Getty Images

On a super-sunny day, gather all your friends and head to the park. With a picnic blanket, some snacks, and a little bit of music, the spontaneity is what's going to make it super special.

28 of 30

Try a New Hairstyle

Always wanted a bob? Looking for more of a shag? Or perhaps you're looking to smooth our some super curly locks. Hair grows—there's no time like the present to try something new.

29 of 30