Seasalt Viking
Living Life with Intention
My Bucket List Experiment
The thought of turning 30 was a scary one. There was so much I wanted to do! So much I wanted to accomplish! I didn’t give myself very much time, but after I turned 29, I decided to make myself a 30 Before 30 bucket list. It was fun and helped me be more intentional with my time. Even if I didn’t complete everything, I did have a great feeling of accomplishment when my birthday rolled around.
1. Pay off my student debt
I have paid off my student debt! After graduating, my amazing mom paid off my OSAP for me, seeing how much my loan was stressing me out. Now, 5 years later, I have paid her back in full. It really is a great feeling 
2. Plant a tree
I planted a tree! It took 2 days to dig a hole for this thing, thanks to my yard being completely full of rocks. But it was worth it! I have wanted a fruit tree for quite a while, so I took the plunge and got an apple tree
3. Run 5k in 30 mins
4. Run a 10k race
5. Read a book by Jane Austen
I FINALLY read a book by Jane Austen! I have been wanting to read Northanger Abbey for probably more than 8 years. When I went looking for a copy, I found not one, but three! I was not disappointed. I love this story and its heroine 😊
6. Eat healthy for 3 months
I did actually do this. I swear!
7. Wear a maxi dress (that fits) in public
I wore a maxi dress out in public that actually fits! I’m not much of a dress person, but I have wanted a maxi dress for quite a while. Finally I found one made for a tall girl! It was perfect for church and going out for lunch in Sault Ste. Marie.
8. Visit a new town/city
9. Touch my toes
10. Drink a whole cup of coffee
I drank a whole cup of coffee – black! I can’t say it was an enjoyable experience, but I did it. This will NEVER be a part of my morning routine 
11. Learn a new song
I learned a new song! It has taken me months of working on re-learning piano to get to this point and it’s still not perfect. Sorry for the mistakes! I am pretty pleased though. It’s been at least 14 years since I’ve learned a whole song on the piano. I first heard this song played by an amazing musician (playing guitar and singing) in a Scottish pub nearly 5 years ago and I have loved it ever since. Now I can play it for myself!
12. Try a new sport
I tried a new sport! Kickboxing has been a blast and I know I’m going to stick with this for a while. I have a lot of work to do, but in just the past couple of months I have felt myself getting stronger and more flexible. And it feels great to hit things 😜
13. Get a certification
I have a certification! I have officially completed my Forest and Nature Schools Practitioners course. I now have the knowledge and experience behind me to work at or even start my own forest school. I loved my childhood, spending tonnes of time in the bush, and now I can help give those sorts of experiences to other kids 😊
14. Can stuff
I made and canned some wild blueberry jam! It was an adventure from start to finish, from picking blueberries surrounded by wasps, to trying to boil and seal the jar without any of the proper equipment. I made a small batch sweetened with honey – one jar sealed and one didn’t. But now that I know I can do it, I’m sure I’ll be making more in the future 
15. Go to Wizarding World
16. Bake a loaf of bread
I baked a loaf of bread! Well, it’s more of a blob of bread, but it tastes just as delicious. I don’t have a stand mixer, so I had to mix by hand. Best workout I’ve had in a while! Making break has always been something I was interested in, but nervous to try. It was quite a process, but I am so pleased with the result. Thanks David Punter for the recipe and instructions (which I didn’t follow exactly, whoops)!
17. Go for a polar bear dip
18. Read a helpful book
I read a helpful book! This book is a wonderful reminder of the truth we know, but tend forget when things get tough. My favourite quote is really something that got me thinking. “What if the worst parts of your life are actually gateways to the very best parts you’d never want to do without?” Looking back in my own life, I started to realized that so many amazing things I’ve experienced never would have come to pass, had it not been for many difficult times before. This gives me hope for what my current struggles could bring me in the future 😊
19. Purge 30 things
I purged 30 things! Actually more than 30! I have a hard time letting go of things. Worried that I might have use for something in the future, I hang on to everything. Those clothes with so many holes I can barely determine what it used to be? Throw them out! Those clothes I haven’t been able to fit into in 5 years? Donate them! (Along with all sorts of other things I haven’t used in years.) I am starting this year with a little less clutter 😊
20. Go paddle boarding
I went paddle boarding! I took advantage of the free day at Nagagamasis and gave it a try. It was so much fun! I was expecting to spend most of my time in the water, but I never even got wet 😛 I was able to stay balanced and even made it out far enough to visit a loon family. I know there will be more paddleboarding in my future 😀
21. Climb a mountain over 3000 feet
22. Read 24 books in a year
I read 27 books in a year! More than the 24 that I was aiming for 🙂 A couple of years ago, I noticed that I didn’t read as much as I used to – I didn’t like that. I love reading and needed a boost to get back into it. Challenging myself was just what I needed.
23. Finish writing something
I finished writing something! I usually never finish what I start writing. I grow frustrated or bored and I give up. A part of me never feels it will be good enough. Sometimes I just have no idea how to end a story. Finishing this short story I started in the fall wasn’t easy. I really had to force myself. Am I happy with it? No, but it can always be fixed. The point is that I gave it an ending. I worked through the indecision, self doubt, boredom, and writer’s block to finish what I had started.
24. Get my hair professionally dyed
I got my hair professionally dyed! Apart from some 12 day foam things and a boxed semi permanent for Halloween one year, I have never gotten my hair properly dyed. Thanks Charlene Louise for the amazing job you did! I’ve been thinking of getting this done for a while now 🙂
25. Catch a fish
I caught a fish! Actually, multiple fish! I think I may have caught a pike when I was little – after it was caught by 5 other people in the boat, but never as an adult have I been able to say I got a keeper. Not only did I get some peaceful time out on the water with some great people, but I got to bring back dinner as well!
26. Hold an Olympic gold medal
I held an Olympic gold medal! So I didn’t earn it, but it will have to do 😛 I also got to meet Ryan and Brad from team Jacobs, Canada’s Olympic curling team. Just another day at the office 😀
27. Make a rug
I made a rug!! I started this way back in 2013, losing interest once I moved back home. Earlier in the year, I was determined to finish it. After getting about about 3/4 of the way done, I ran out of yarn! I was pretty devastated. However, a month ago, I accidentally found the remaining pieces and was finally able to finish 😁
28. Start a Christmas ornament collection
I have started an ornament collection! I love how my family has so many unique ornaments. Ones that were bought for special occasions, or given as gifts. I figured it was time for me to start my own collection as I won’t be living at home forever… I hope!
The top two were given to me as gifts a few years ago and the bottom two I bought at the United Church Bazaar today. Beautiful ornaments handmade by Sherry Bin. My collection is well on its way
29. Make a functional piece of clothing
I made a functional piece of clothing! When it comes to wearable stuff, I have always stuck with rectangular items – scarves, headbands. I needed more of a challenge! A messy bun hat was just the thing to try 😊
30. Get 100 followers on my public instagram page
I have 100 followers on my public Instagram! I was actually really nervous about making a public page for my photography. I had no idea if people would even like my pictures, but I am so glad I put them out there. My confidence has been boosted and I am excited to spend more time with my camera 😊
Seasalt Viking 