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Queen E-N: My 30 Before 30 Bucketlist

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There seems to be something magical about thirty. It’s got this Yeah, I’m a full-fledged adult and can do whatever I want vibe but also comes with a Damn, I have to get my life in order ASAP vibe.

Well, both these vibes spurred me on while making this list. It’s not that I just entered my twenties (even though I wish I just did). I’ve been swimming in my twenties for a few years now. However, a recent birthday got me thinking, 30 is just around the corner. All the vibes came rushing.

Hence, I decided to make a 30 before 30 list before it was too late.

I listed the first few that came to mind, and then went on the internet to find inspiration for the rest. Almost every article I found originated from the West, hence their list includes items not really compatible in an African setting. I mean, there was a lot of ‘Go skinny dipping’ aka enter swimming pool or the beach naked. In Naija? Which beach are we skinny dipping in? Ilashe? Elegushi? Oniru?

There were also a lot of “Go to Coachella,” or “Visit Glastonbury UK,” “Dance at the Rio Festival,” etc. Well, I took what I wanted, and here goes my list, all of them in their various states of completion.

1. Run a marathon
Well I joined a running club, did a 10km run, so I guess I’m on the right track. Literally. 2019 Lagos City Marathon, here I come. Note, run can be replaced with walk – Walk a marathon.

2. Get rock solid abs.
At least once in my life, even I lose it the following month.

3. Try a session out of my comfort zone
Luckily there are options across the city – for pole dance classes, Flirty Fitness Nig. offers beginner classes. Kinetic art, Surfing, Kayaking are a few other options.

4. Kiss a white boy.
Blame all these interracial couple YouTubers making you want to get your swirl on. Adanna and David, I see you. Next thing you know we’ll be sharing our videos of #HowWeMet. You just wait.

5. Climb a mountain.
Doesn’t have to be Kilimanjaro, although that would be nice.

6. Write a book.
Publishing is another matter. One step at a time.

7. Make a million.
As the owner of a growing business, this would be a nice milestone to hit. At this point I invite you to help my ministry. We can do this!

8. Go bungee jumping/sky diving. Leaning towards the first though.

9. Attend another religion’s worship/prayer service.
Because I feel we judge what we don’t know. In Nigeria, we are almost divided between 2 religions. It would be great to know the other half better, more intimately. I would have added read the holy book of other religions, but I never finish to read my own despite how many years that track has featured in my New Year Resolution album, so we’ll let that one rest on the back burner for a while.

10. Display a self-portrait.
Once goal 2 is reached, we can do a photoshoot. I’m talking boudoir style, full wall size.

11. 5 books I must complete reading.
Dale Carnegie – How to win friends and influence people
Stephen Covey – 7 habits of highly effective people;
Napoleon Hill – Think and grow rich;
Robert Greene 48 Laws of Power;
Robert Greene – Art of Seduction (Thus by 30 I will be a highly effective, friendly, influential, rich, powerful and sexy someborri! I can’t wait)

12. Have my Toastmasters’ Certified Communicator and Certified Leadership certificates.
As a toastmaster, this is the basic certificates to get, in order to call one’s self a true toastmaster. Toastmasters International is a platform designed to help you grow your leadership and communication skills through playing leadership roles and public speaking. For more on them, check this out: toastmasters.org

13. Achieve complete self-acceptance.
Because it makes life a lot easier when you are on your side.

14. Vote – stand for something.
Yay! I have my TVC. Now INEC you can make this goal happen if PVCs are ready before the presidential elections next year.

15. Speak Oron
Because the next line is…

16. Speak French (and charity begins at home so I must speak my native language first mbok).

17. Have a life plan.
I have read the book by Michael Hyatt and so now I have to draw up a plan. Everything may not go as planned but the sense of direction a plan gives is immeasurable. If you aim for the moon and you fall among stars, that’s not a bad location.

18. Invest long term and medium term in different investment portfolios.
Really I should be more specific like invest x million naira in real estate, bonds and all those things that Tomie Balogun preaches about. I am growing my financial literacy as we speak.

19. Know how to stand up for myself. It’s about time.

20. Drive a fancy car – Ferrari, Porsche, Bently. Note, it can be borrowed for 5 minutes or just a test drive around a roundabout. Lagos traffic, please show up for me during my drive, please!

21. Full body health check.
Full knowledge of the current status of this earthly vessel is needed as we enter a new decade

22. Host a dinner at home.
That whole roundtable setting with good vibes and good food all around is a great feeling.

23. Play team sports.
I’ve been eyeing Shitsuke’s Flagfootball. There’s never enough lessons of how teamwork makes the dream work. Plus, there’s the bonus of getting fit and socializing.

24. Go on a private jet.
Even if we don’t end up taking off for any reason like ‘we were just playing with you,’ ‘we’re waiting for clearance,’ etc. OBO airlines, let’s make this come true.

25. Attend a white tie/red carpet event.
Like a real fancy one.

26. Visit a few tourist sites in Africa/Naija
I mean, what is an Eiffel Tower when there is an Olumo rock? What is Niagara falls when there is a Victoria Falls or even Erin Ijesha waterfalls? What is a Stonehenge when there is a Great Zimbabwe. I’m not saying that the former tourist attractions are not great oo, I’m just saying great tourist attractions are at home as well.

27. Have dinner in a fancy restaurant alone.
Like, take me on a real nice date. And enjoy the date even when there are multiple stares coming my way. If you see me, come say hello.

28. Get a promotion or a raise

29. Appear in a movie.
Even if it’s waka pass. Nollywood, I’ve always been a fan. It’s not today.

30. Live in a different city for a year
Tick! NYSC posting counts, please.

What’s on your 30-before-30 list? See anything on mine you like? It’s about time we had a more African inspired bucket list.

Oh, and this last one – we’ll call it a runner-up. I went to my recreational club yesterday hoping to use the gym and pool. However, I was denied access because I have passed the junior membership age and need to apply to be an ordinary member before I’m 30 (else the cost doubles). Cheers mate. Thanks for adding to a new bill and item to my bucket list. Truly, those who advertised adulting to us, did not tell the full story.

Photo Credit: Dreamstime

Queen EN is a dance and fitness trainer, dedicated to helping women get fit. She earned a BSc. in Chemistry from York University and often relaxes by drinking C62H108O7 and reading a good book. Her passion for dance, health, and fitness led her to start a growing fitness company in Nigeria where she continues to drive the message on the need for total mind and body wellness. Queen will take ice-cream in any weather condition.

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