Each year, I share a bucket list of things I want to do before my next birthday, and I love how it feels to have something to come back to throughout the year. It’s never about putting pressure on myself, or even completing the whole list, but just having some small, achievable, fun goals to aim for.
This year, I wanted to do the same thing again – 29 things I want to do before I turn 29. But before I dive into this year’s list, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on last year’s. I managed over 50% of my goals in 2025, from getting a new piercing (with Astrid and Miyu, no less) to seeing Oasis live despite starting the year ticketless.
Perhaps one of my biggest life achievements to date – I bought a house – but on a smaller scale, I also watched over 20 theatre shows, visited a Christmas tree farm, took a holiday to Krakow (and Dublin), got another bra fitting, updated my ‘about’ page and reduced my average screen time on my phone.
This list feels slower and a little more intentional. There’s a lot about home and putting down roots, taking time away from my screens, nurturing friendships and making memories. As ever, it’s not about ticking everything off or feeling behind if I don’t – if I only do half of these things but do them well, that’s enough for me. So, here’s 29 things I want to do before I turn 29.
- Move into the house – ‘Buy a house’ was on my 28 before 28 bucket list and we should be getting the keys to our first home in January. We’ll be carrying out some renovations first, but this will hopefully be one of the first things I can tick off 29 before 29.
- Host a dinner party – Learn to cook might have been a better entry for this year’s bucketlist, but alas, I’ll be forced to do so on the job, as it were. I am, however, very excited to get our home in a hostable state and serve up some dishes for friends and family.
- Digitise my wardrobe – When I finally move all of my clothes to the new house, I want to download one of those apps that show you all your pieces to give me a clearer view of what I actually own so I can wear it better and find new ways to style outfits.
- Shrink my skincare collection – One thing I’ve promised myself is that I won’t buy any new skincare for 2026 and will only be using products I have, or have been sent to me for review. Using things up is the goal, and should I find any products in my collection that aren’t suitable for my skin, I can give them away to friends and family.
- Clear out my phone’s photo album – This is a task I’ve been avoiding for years, but future me will be grateful to see my library shrink from 85,000 images, videos and screenshots.
- Start a home Instagram account – Everyone keeps asking if I’ll make a new account for the house, and naturally, the answer is yes. I’m so excited to enter the DIY and interiors space on Instagram and share our journey of making a house feel like home.
- Thrift the ultimate sideboard for our record player – When I first went to view the house I knew I wanted to give one of the rooms a 70s feel with our record player being a focal point of the room. A midcentury record sideboard is on my moodboard and I’d love to find one just right.
- Hit 10k followers on Instagram – I’ve been showing up and sharing things I love on Instagram for almost 10 years and if I could finally reach 10k, it would truly make my year.
- Document my beauty empties – There’s nothing more satisfying to me than using up the last bit of product, be it a cleanser, lipstick or moisturiser. I’m going to start collecting my empty pots and recycle them via the Boots app to turn them into points. I feel like it will be such a satisfying way to track habits and actually see what products I use and brands I reach for.
- Style over 100 outfits – In 2025, I styled more than 90 outfits, but I’d love to hit triple figures next year.
- Work with five new brands – I am fortunate to work with some amazing fashion and beauty brands, and in 2026, I’m keen to put myself out there more and work with some new brands that feel aligned with the content I create.
- Go on a brand trip or dinner – Being invited to press events, dinners and trips is a super exciting part of my job and I’m not always in a position to attend but it’s very much my dream to attend a few gorgeous events this year.
- Plan a wedding vision board – I must get asked when Jake and I are getting married hundreds of times every year, and while we’re yet to set a date, I’d really like to start pinning some ideas to a board in preparation.
- Plan something for mine and Jake’s anniversary – Jake and I have been together for 10 years in February so it would be lovely to mark the occasion with a little trip or adventure somewhere.
- Book in more friend dates – It’s not always easy both making and maintaining friendships in your late 20s and early 30s, but it’s something that’s really important to me. I’m going to be making a conscious effort to get dates in the diary for coffee, walks and brunches this year.
- Visit Wales – It’s probably been about 10 years since I last made a visit to Wales and since it’s unlikely Jake and I will be jetting off abroad in the next 12 months, I’d love to visit somewhere like Portmerion for a little weekend staycation.
- Visit five National Trust properties – I’ve had a National Trust membership for a few years now and I don’t always make the most of it, so I want to get out and explore some of the properties and gardens in the surrounding counties and get my money’s worth out of my membership.
- See 15 theatre shows – There have been years I’ve seen in excess of 20 shows in a 12 month period, but with renovating the house, I know that’s not necessarily going to be achievable this year. I’ve set a slightly lower target of 15 musicals and plays for 2026, and there are some absolute corkers on the list including Mean Girls and Legally Blonde.
- See five ‘big’ bands live – Nothing is going to top seeing Oasis in 2025, but already Jake and I have got Biffy Clyro and The Fratelli’s booked in the next two months and I think, in lieu of an abroad holiday, some epic gigs are in order.
- Find somewhere that serves a really good martini – I discovered this year that I am actually pretty partial to an olive or two, so this year, I’d like to try a martini and find someone that serves a really good one.
- Buy an antique ring – As a little girl I always admired my grandma’s jewellery and have been slowly building my own collection over the last decade. A lot of my rings are still tarnish-free stainless steel so I would love to invest in more gold antiques and vintage pieces.
- Try a Pilates class – The thought of trying something new fitness-wise can be really daunting, but I’ve become increasingly curious about pilates and would love to try out a class to see if it’s for me or not.
- Go clay pigeon shooting or to a shooting range – When we were in Krakow, Jake and I found a shooting range we wanted to go to but they had no availability while we were there. We love going axe throwing and I think this is something totally new we’d both enjoy having a crack at.
- Learn to make jam – Our house seller is a very sweet, slightly older lady who has always grown her own fruit in the garden and made jam with it. During our second viewing, she gifted me a jar of blackberry jam and said she wanted to leave me her jam-making kit as a housewarming gift, so I’ll be perfecting my jam recipe and that’s what everyone can have for Christmas when Jake and I have spent all our money on paint and furniture.
- Get into crocheting – I spend a lot of my time on my phone or laptop for work and socials, so I’ve really been craving a slow, screen-free hobby. I’ve tried my hand at crocheting before but would love to make some cute wearable accessories and gifts for loved ones.
- Master making matcha at home – Another thing I discovered I like in the last 12 months is iced matcha. Since willy-nilly coffee shop trips will be heavily reduced as we decorate the house, I’d love to be able to master making my own cafe-style beverages at home.
- Be consistent with the gym – I started off the year really strong at the gym and was consistent with my fitness journey, but it seriously slipped after summer and became less of a priority for me, so after the New Year, it’s once again going to be at the top of the agenda.
- Read 20 books – Last year I wanted to read one book a month and I read more than 30. I’d love to read more and scroll less next year, too, so I’m setting myself a goal of 20 books.
- Renew my driver’s license with a fresh photo – Finally, I’ve lost my ID, however, it needs renewing next year anyway, so I’m going to use it as an opportunity to get a fresh photo done and reorder a new licence.
