25 Things You Should Do Before Turning 30, No Matter Where You're At In Life

The vast majority of people between the ages of 20 and 30 tend to focus more on higher education and establishing their careers during this time of their lives.

However, your younger years are the best time for you to set targets for yourself above and beyond what you learned in college and during your career.

There are certain things you can manage to accomplish in the midst of what I'm sure is your busy life that will make you unbelievably happy.

While all people don't have the same tastes or lifestyle preferences, here is a list 25 goals you should complete by 30:

1. Write a letter to your older self.

Write out your goals, dreams and plans in letter format. Decide how many years you want to wait to open it, and then fold it up and keep it someplace safe where you'll remember to see it again.

When you open it five or so years, it'll be a moment of truth to see how close you've gotten to your goals.

2. Learn another language.

Learning another language isn't easy, but it can be a good deal of fun. You can learn through books, online courses or even local classes. Then, when you travel, you can put what you've learned into practice.

3. Travel to several countries.

The best part about traveling is meeting people.

Every new country has a different perspective, special memories and truthful life lessons that can be beneficial to you. You can learn a lot about yourself by spending time in different geographical environments.

4. Intentionally meet people who are different from you.

Visiting new countries and continents will introduce you to people of different races, ethnicities and cultures. But you don't have to travel to do this.

In your own neighborhood, there may be several people who are different than you. Make it a point to introduce yourself to them.

5. Post inspirational quotes on social media.

Social media offers a great opportunity to do some good in the world.

No matter how many friends or followers you have, be a source of empowerment and inspiration to them by posting something positive.

6. Volunteer at the same place for six months straight.

Volunteering has a huge impact on one's attitude and outlook on life. Pick a place — a daycare center, small group, school, summer camp — and share what you have to offer as an individual.

7. Make friends in the new countries you visit.

Traveling to a new country without making at least one friend is a missed opportunity. By engaging with local people, you get to see, hear and experience a side of their lifestyles, perspectives and cultures you wouldn't get to experience by being just a visitor.

8. Celebrate something every day.

Life can be hectic, and many of us like to divide our days between good ones and bad ones.

But when you look at it, life is to be enjoyed, not endured. So, find something to celebrate every day.

If you got through a difficult class or turned in an unusually long project, give yourself a small celebration by buying cake or watching a movie.

9. Take a spontaneous drive.

The best trips are the ones we don't think about or plan; we just go.

And you don't have to visit another country. You can go to the town right next door. The important thing is to make it impromptu and see how it goes.

Life is to be enjoyed, not endured.

10. Have a personal emergency account.

While you're busy living your life and reaching your goals, be aware that things we don't plan for happen.

Having a savings account and some financial security can help those unplanned events go over smoothly. Make saving money on a regular basis a habit so you don't find yourself in a money crisis.

11. Learn to say "no" and mean it.

Your 20s (and 30s, for that matter) should be the time you realize you don't have to commit to everything that comes your way.

Saying "no" more often than you say "yes" will help ensure you stay on track with your goals.

12. Develop some level of discipline in your life.

The greatest battle you will ever fight is the development of self-discipline. But without it, you won't stick to deadlines, reach goals or realize your dreams.

Creating rules, deadlines and boundaries for yourself will keep you from having to abide by those that others set for you.

13. Do crossword and word search puzzles.

Dealing with words in a fun way will expand your vocabulary, encourage you to read more and help your brain think, analyze and reason.

14. Go camping.

Spending time in the great outdoors is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate nature, exercise, spend time with family and friends, gaze at the stars and refresh before heading back to work.

15. Go skydiving.

OK, so it might be a bit of a scary idea for some people, but let's face it: The scariest things are sometimes the most fun.

Skydiving will help you see the world from a different perspective and may assist in allowing you to release your fears.

16. Visit museums, art galleries, plays and concerts.

Part of being a well-rounded and cultured person is being knowledgeable about great works of art, musical types and ancient plays.

Art, theater and music have profound ways of leaving indelible marks on the mind that could cause you to see the world differently.

17. Help a homeless person.

Life isn't only about ourselves. It's more about the people around us. How we treat people reflects our heart and soul.

There are many people who have hit a hard road and need a kind hand and tender heart to understand and help get them back to a normal life.

Giving back to someone in need is one of the best ways to create happiness and meaning in life.

18. Face your fears.

Most of what we're afraid of is more in our minds and less a real threat to our existence.

When we do what makes us afraid, we actually give ourselves props to be courageous the next time around.

19. Read lots of books.

Books hold a vast amount of knowledge that you won't get from TV, music, video games or the internet.

Read books that suit your interests, and read books that have made a difference in people's lives.

20. Find the things you love and do them.

The things you love to do are the things that will make you happy.

Some people have all the money in the world, but they're still not happy. Real happiness comes from experiences and contributions, not things or money.

Whenever you feel lost or depressed, start doing something you love, and you'll find your way back.

21. Write something every day.

Writing is a natural catharsis that allows you to express your ideas, thoughts, feelings, emotions and experiences in real time.

Writing is very transformative, but it's also vulnerable. In order for it to connect, it must speak the truth. You can share your truths through writing.

22. Exercise daily.

Exercise isn't just for athletes; it's for everybody. You would do yourself a favor by creating a daily exercise regime that you can adjust as you age.

23. Take pictures.

Memories are forever, but pictures can be, too. Taking pictures allows us to capture moments in time that we won't experience again.

After a year's worth of pictures, you'll be able to look back and see how far you've come.

24. Get creative.

Creativity is a powerful force of nature; it allows us to put our imaginations into action. If it hasn't already, the world will come alive to you through the lens of creativity.

25. Find a mentor.

There's always something to learn from other people.

Having a mentor can be extremely helpful when you're young and looking to make the right decisions. They can be a source of encouragement, partnership and empowerment as you travel through life.

This article was originally published on the author's personal blog.