30 things you must do before you turn 30

I think that if you have a birthday in a month, you can say that you are ‘almost birthday’. So I can say that I am ‘almost thirty’.

My god, it suddenly goes quite fast, those numbers. But I don't mind: those years as a twenty-something feel a bit behind me. mother of two  for my feeling anyway. It's nice that I still live just 16 minutes by bike from Leidseplein, but oh, I really don't want to think about having to consume a box of Flügel there at two in the morning. But I did do that. Back then. As a young one. And I'm glad I did, because a little living and discovering and partying is important. That's why this ode to the age with the big three O.

What you have to do yourself before you turn 30:

1. Order a box of Flügel in your favorite pub and go around with it. Bring your friends.
2. Go out for a week in a row. Just because your hangovers aren't that bad yet. From your thirtieth, you are four days sick after two glasses of red wine on the couch.
3. Go on a world trip, with your best friend or alone. Backpack on, don't think, enjoy. Australia is a must.
4. Stay somewhere you'll regret in the morning.
5. Peep on Tinder.
6. Skinny dipping: that's still allowed. And it's still funny.
7. Run a marathon. Now you're still fit. Sorry, I personally skipped this one.
8. Play a team sport. A team is great for Sunday afternoon drinks.
9. Spend half your salary on dinners, lunches out, and those four blouses at Zara. You only have to think about yourself now.
10. Sing yourself hoarse in a karaoke bar.
11. Go to Las Vegas. There, the nights last forever and you don't notice that it's morning again.
12. Eat croquette sandwiches for breakfast.
13. Get a cat. Or two cats.
14. Live in a big city: you can still do something interesting on a Tuesday if you feel like it. And you always feel like it.
15. Intern at the biggest companies in your field and learn. Aim high.
16. Take your mother out to dinner. No brothers, sisters, or fathers, just you two. And you treat.
17. Borrow as much as possible from the IB Group. Or is it not called that anymore? I'm getting old.
18. Book a spontaneous weekend away with your girlfriends.
19. Kiss a bartender.
20. Go skiing.
21. Make sure the bartender in your favorite pub knows you by name. Possibly only after that kiss.
22. Buy a ridiculously expensive pair of sunglasses from Celine, Chanel, something like that.
23. Pose for a good camera and make sure you have at least 30 nice photos of yourself. Nice for later when you miss your size 36 and smooth skin.
24. Dye your hair sexy blonde.
25. Paint your nails neon pink. You won't be able to do that when you're wise and well-behaved at the office.
26. Don't care about the opinion of others and follow your own plan. And say it out loud.
27. Don't save too much. Yolo. Do we still say that? I'm getting old.
28. Get your eyebrows dyed in a salon and have your bikini line waxed.
29. Drink a cocktail or ten in Ibiza.
30. Sleep in. One day that will be over and you'll be up at half past six with bottles. Even on Sundays, yes.

Ah, those times. I already miss them and I don't miss them at all. Happy thirty to me. Almost, huh, I can say that now.