60 Before 30 Recap

16 March 2017

Astute readers will remember that not only did the end of February mark my thirtieth birthday, but the end of my 60 Before 30 project! This was one in a long line of goal sets with a longer time horizon, as I generally prefer them to yearly goals. Though I’ve done a few 101 in 1001s before, this was my first time trying a 60 before 30.

In short, I LOVED it! I think I’ve improved over time at this long-term goal setting thing, because in the past, I’ve been a little over my lists by the time I entered the third or so year of them – but not this time. Though I didn’t complete all 60, I still feel as passionately about each of these as goals as I did three years ago. Partially, that’s because I allowed myself the freedom to replace any goals along the way that were no longer relevant or important to me. I only ended up changing about three, but the freedom to do so was liberating.

To quote myself (ha), “I hope writing these things down and working toward them will help me become the person I want to be — strong in mind, body, and spirit; capable and adventurous; encouraging and kind; grateful and generous — when I reach a new decade.”

So… did it work? I’d say yes! I will never be these things fully in this life, but I do think I am more these things than I was three years ago, and I think this project helped. Plus, I had a lot of fun along the way!

Let’s take a look at how I did! We’ll start with the goals I did not complete (womp womp):

— Host a themed party
— Go on a missions trip
— Make a watercolor, oil, or acrylic painting
— Learn to French braid
— Become a morning person with a consistent morning routine
— Make a square newel post for our stairs
— Convince Nancy to give me a hair tutorial
— Grow a cutting garden with dahlias, roses, and peonies
— Go antiquing at Brimfield, Round Top, Scott’s, Alameda, Brooklyn Flea, or another famous market
— Run a Chick-fil-a 5k
— Create a drop zone near our garage door
— Follow a year-long Bible reading plan with John
— Make a quilt

Just 20%! Not too bad! Alrighty, now for the four goals that were in progress when I crossed the finish line:

— Post a guide to the Triangle on EFM (Easily my most long-suffering goal :))
— Make our porch a comfy place to gather (We made progress, but are still locked in a head-to-head debate over whether a porch swing would “damage the integrity” of our porch ceiling. You can guess which side I’m on.)
— Renovate our backyard so it’s more private and a great place to gather (This is happening!!! More soon.)
— Develop a consistent and fulfilling prayer life (Ongoing, but research has been done and rhythms have been established.)

I won’t list all 43 goals I checked off (you can see them all here!), but I did want to give you a few of the highlights!

The goals I’m most proud of completing: Nos. 12, 13, and 14, paying off our two car loans and fully funding a savings account for our next car purchase

The goal that took the most planning to complete: No. 45, going to Europe (see my posts here: Paris, Provence, Cassis, and the Cote d’Azur)

The goal that’s made the biggest difference in my health: No. 11, making an appointment with an allergist

The goals that stretched me to be more generous than I would have been otherwise: No. 3, supporting a friend in something he or she is doing and no. 27, extravagantly and unexpectedly giving to someone else

The first goal I completed: No. 21, hanging a giant wedding canvas in our living room

The goal that took the longest to complete: No. 43, making a will

The final goal I completed: No. 59. buying a new Bible for the long haul (I eventually decided on the ESV Study Bible)

The most expensive goal I completed: No. 35, paying off at least 35% of our outstanding mortgage

The goal on which I most overachieved: No. 56, making at least one friend in our neighborhood

The goal I’d most like to experience again: No. 29, exploring the California coast (posts here, here, here, here, here, and here)

The goal I least thought I’d do but I DID: No. 4, expanding my very minimal eye makeup techniques (thanks to my personal consult with Sam)

The goals I most loved writing about on EFM: Nos. 18, 19, and 20, sharing about our second, third, and fourth wedding anniversaries

The most-anticipated and sweetest goal: No. 41, expanding our family (the one and only June)

Other favorites: nos. 8, 22, 24, 34, 46, 49, 51, and 54! Really, all of them :)

Anyone else wondering what’s next? Me, too! I already have a pent-up collection of ideas for another list, and just need to figure out the format that makes the most sense. I’m not in a huge hurry, but also already feel the void of not having an ongoing project! Any ideas you want to throw my way? So far, the best I’ve got is something that fills the time until we pay off our mortgage!

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Maria
March 16, 2017 10:24 am

As always, your goal and “big picture” posts inspire me! I especially love how you listed a handful of memorable ones in the highlights section. I hope to hear more about how you approached #43 in a future post!

Em
March 16, 2017 1:30 pm
Reply to  Maria

Thank you so much, Maria! I already have a post in the works about our will :)

Kristina
March 16, 2017 11:48 am

Yay for completing 80% of your list – that’s amazing! I love how diverse your list was :) Also, does a favorite things party not count as a themed party or why did you say that no. 5 was not completed? Just curious :)

Em
March 16, 2017 1:31 pm
Reply to  Kristina

You’re right, I suppose I could have double counted it! :)

ez1019
March 16, 2017 12:09 pm

You are amazing! So inspiring!

March 16, 2017 12:22 pm

Love this so much!! :) BTW, are there any awesome antique shops nearby in NC?! I’d love to find one and go as we are on the hunt for some furniture as well! :) Shopping buddy??!

Also, are you allergy free now?! I’ve been interested in this ever since moving to NC as well!!

And now I’m inspired to make a similar longer term project too! :) I think a 3 year span is really a great length of time, but I’m unsure of the best format or catchy name for it – ha!

Em
March 16, 2017 1:35 pm
Reply to  Robyn

My favorite spot for antiques, especially furniture, is the Raleigh Flea Market, at the State Fairgrounds. I’ve also had some luck at the Cheshire Cat gallery in Cameron Village!

I am not allergy free, but meeting with an allergist got me on a prescription medication (as opposed to OTC) that made a HUGE difference in my day-to-day. Highly recommended!! xo

Michelle
March 16, 2017 4:31 pm

I love this! I am also loving all of your Marvelous Money posts!! We recently paid off our last debt (my car) and are working on building our EF back up. It’s so hard sometimes to stay motivated. I am getting so impatient and can’t wait to get to baby step 6! Your posts are inspiring me to keep at it. I’m excited to follow your journey to paying off your mortgage early and rooting for you :) Thank you for sharing!

April 3, 2017 9:20 pm

I feel personally responsible for not teaching you how to french braid OR giving you a hair tutorial! We must fix those ASAP! (Too bad we only have sleepovers when camping and we don’t care what our hair looks like and stuff it under a hat! We need a girl day with our girls!)