19 Amazing Things You Need to Experience Before You Turn 35

Incredible life experiences aren’t something you can plan. In fact, the most memorable moments are usually the ones we never saw coming. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t have a hand in shaping our destinies. If you want to have more fulfilling experiences, you need to put yourself out there. Creating a bucket list is a great place to start! Here are some of the things we think everyone should do before turning 35. 

Why should you write a list of everything you want to accomplish by the time you’re in your mid-thirties? Many people make the mistake of thinking they have all the time in the world to pursue their dreams, only to wake up one day and realize that ten or twenty years have gone by without bringing them any closer to their goals. Being clear about the experiences you want to have and giving yourself a reasonable deadline can help you avoid regrets later in life! 

Do you need help coming up with bucket list ideas? We’ve rounded up some unique life experiences you’ll want to add to yours. However, we want to make it clear that you don’t actually have to be in your twenties or thirties to do any of the cool things in this blog post. If you’re fulfilling your dreams later in life, that’s fine, too! 

Did you miss our last blog post? You can catch up here. Then, keep reading to find some fantastic, fulfilling life experiences to check off your bucket list, preferably (but not necessarily) by the time you hit your thirties. 

Take Your Dream Vacation 

When it comes to fulfilling life experiences, travel should be at the top of your bucket list. If there’s a location you’ve always wanted to explore, you’ll want to start making plans sooner rather than later! Having trouble choosing a place to start? Check out these highly-rated travel destinations to visit by the time you’re in your mid-thirties. 

Start Taking Care of Your Mental Health

It’s normal to experience sadness, anger, and stress from time to time. However, if you feel that your negative emotions are starting to affect your ability to live a fulfilling life, it might be time to explore treatment options. Whether it’s reaching out to a therapist or establishing a self-care routine, consider coming up with a list of ways to manage your mental wellbeing in your twenties or thirties. 

Build Up Your Cooking Skills

Ordering takeout every day seems fun and convenient in your twenties, but you can’t survive on delivery for the rest of your life. If your cooking skills are currently limited to pouring milk in cereal, getting more familiar with your kitchen by the time you hit your thirties can be a fulfilling experience. Take a look at this article for basic recipes everyone should know how to make.

Master a Few Small Auto Repairs 

Has your car ever broken down in the middle of the road? If you’re still in your twenties or thirties, you probably haven’t experienced this unfortunate occurrence for the last time. Consider adding a course in basic mechanics to your bucket list so that, next time, you’ll be prepared! This fulfilling skill is sure to come in handy throughout your life. 

Pick Up a New Language

Have you ever wished you could be fluent in another language? The sooner you start learning, the sooner you can start having conversations! You should consider checking this fulfilling life experience off your bucket list sometime in your thirties or earlier. 

Create a Reading List (And Actually Read the Books on It)

Do you ever feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to read all the books that interest you? Reading is one of life’s most fulfilling experiences, so don’t let yourself get discouraged! Instead, try making your literary goals more manageable by organizing the works you’re most excited about into an open-ended list. From there, you can take it one title at a time!

Forgive Someone You’re Angry With

Although it’s not good for our mental wellbeing, almost everyone is guilty of holding onto a few grudges from the past. Forgiving someone you’re upset with can give you the closure you need to move on, which can be especially helpful as you navigate your twenties and thirties. 

Whether you’ve had a falling out with a friend, partner, or family member, consider paying them a visit. If you’re not comfortable reaching out to this person, writing your feelings in a letter can be an equally fulfilling experience, even if you choose not to send it.  

Learn to Play an Instrument

Few life experiences are more fulfilling than being able to recreate your favorite melodies with your own two hands on a musical instrument. Learning to read music and play along takes time and discipline, so you’ll want to get started on this bucket list entry before hitting your thirties.

Start a Skin Care Routine

Want healthy, glowing skin well into your thirties and forties? Then you’d better start taking care of it now! Make it a priority to establish a daily cleansing and moisturizing routine (and actually stick to it). Take a look at this article for some great tips on applying skincare products. 

Host a Dinner Party for Your Friends

Everyone should experience the fulfilling pleasure of entertaining guests in their home. Developing your skills as a host can be a lifelong project, so organizing a dinner party for your friends should be one of the first things to do on your bucket list by the time you’re in your mid-thirties. 

Take a Road Trip

There’s nothing quite like the fulfilling feeling of freedom that comes from spontaneously packing your bags and hitting the road for a weekend. Getting in the car and driving to an unfamiliar destination is one of those essential life experiences you’ll want to check off your bucket list before your thirties. 

Open a Savings Account

Saving for the future may not be the most fun item on your bucket list, but it’s a fulfilling one that will serve you well later in life. If you start putting aside some of your income before hitting your thirties, you’ll have something to fall back on when times are tough. Check out these excellent accounts that can help you keep your funds safe. 

Learn to Recognize the Constellations

Looking for a cool skill to impress everyone you know? Being able to point out and name the constellations in the sky usually does the trick! Stargazing is an immensely fulfilling hobby to add to your bucket list before hitting your thirties. 

Form Better Fitness Habits

It’s never too late to start doing what’s right for your body. However, if you want to experience the best results, you’ll probably want to start establishing healthy and fulfilling life habits in your thirties or earlier. Take a look at this list of helpful tips for beginning a fitness routine that works. 

Volunteer for a Charity You’re Passionate About

We all plan to do more for charity someday, once we’ve reached a certain level of financial security. However, you don’t have to donate money to an organization to make a difference. If you’re strapped for cash, you can still volunteer your time and talents! Make it a priority to add this fulfilling experience to your bucket list at some point in your twenties or thirties. 

Travel by Train 

Have you ever wanted to experience what life was like in a past era? Here’s a fun way to add some retro charm to your next vacation. Instead of flying to your destination, why not take in the scenery on a sleeper train? Traveling by railway is an incredible, fulfilling adventure everyone should check off their bucket list, preferably before their thirties are over.  

Try Out an Edgy New Hairstyle

Have you ever wondered what you would look like with blue hair? Trying out an adventurous new style is one of those fulfilling life experiences everyone should have before hitting their thirties. However, there’s no rule that says you have to be young to experiment with your hair, so no matter what age you are, consider adding this item to your bucket list!

Attend a Masquerade Ball

We’ve all fantasized about waltzing with a mysterious stranger at an elegant masquerade ball at some point in life. Luckily, magical evenings like that don’t just exist in romance novels. For a shot at fulfilling this lifelong dream, do a little research online and find out if there are any masquerade events you can buy tickets for in your area!

Have a Paranormal Experience in a Haunted Location

Whether or not you believe in ghosts, visiting someplace that’s rumored to be haunted is a fun, bone-chilling experience that belongs on your bucket list. Take a look at these creepy travel destinations that are sure to increase your chances of spotting paranormal activity by the time you’re in your mid-thirties. 

We hope this post inspired you to get started on your bucket list before your thirties are over. As you go through these incredible, fulfilling life experiences, don’t forget to document your journey by taking lots of photos! If you’re looking for a unique way to showcase your best memories, bring them to life in 3D with one of our custom 3D laser gifts. Browse our shop here, or take a look at the rest of our blog for more great ideas.