Welcome!
I’m Kate, a writer, blogger, host and travel lover living in Venice, CA with my husband Brian and French Bulldog Frank.
I started this blog in 2011 on the eve of my 29th birthday because I was feeling frustrated with the state of my life. In an inspired moment I compiled a list of 10 goals to accomplish in the 365 days leading up to my 30th birthday. Goals that I thought would bring me closer to the life I wanted– and with that, 365 til 30 was born. That year was an incredible journey and truly changed my life. Since then, the blog has grown to include everything that happens after turning 30.
…365 til 30…365 till wedding…365 til traveling the world…365 til baby? 365 till everything!…
The blogpost that started it all
So the day is upon me, I am officially 29 years old. What this means to me, other than the joy of presents and cake, is that I am 365 days away from 30. Holy SHIT, how did that happen? Wasn’t I just a wide-eyed 23-year-old traipsing around West Hollywood causing trouble? 30…I just keep saying the number to myself in the hopes I will get used to the way it rolls off my tongue.
Being that I am 365 days away from 30 I have been obsessed with where I am supposed to be by 30 and what I should have accomplished by 30 and the things I should have crossed of my bucket list by now. The problem is thinking these thoughts, has led me to compare myself to every other human, ages 29-31. Strongest focus on females living in L.A., aged 29.
You see, I choose to follow the creative path in my life and career. This path has led me to many great highs and many other moments where I was left wondering…hmmm maybe a stable 9-5 job wouldn’t be SO bad.
I have to say I am a very happy and fulfilled lady despite not having a stable 9-5 job, a mortgage or a baby. Although, I am sure when all of those things are mine one day I will be the asshole in the corner saying “I have never been happier”.
I have decided I need to shake things up a bit. Get out of my head. Forget about my regrets and stop thinking about the phrases “should have” and “everybody else”. I also plan to cross off a few goals on my bucket list and most importantly have some fun.
So, I have come up with a list to accomplish in 365 days. I will of course document it all through pictures and videos…for your enjoyment. Because, there will be no crying over 30 in this house.
GO CAMPING
Thank God, Brian has
1. Camped before
2. Has camping gear
3. Is handy with navigation
4. Likes camping
5. Seems like he could get us out of a sticky situation involving unexpected intruders i.e. spiders, bears, angry deer and angry rodents
*I have no way of knowing if number 5 is true but if I don’t believe it to be true then this goal will never be accomplished.
*Not to mention if numbers 1-4 weren’t true, I would probably die trying to accomplish this goal and never see 30. I would be one of those horror stories like that family who survived off of cheese whiz for a month.
LEARN FRENCH
I have always wanted to speak French fluently. I have had many opportunities to accomplish this goal. The first being my private school education grades 7-12. From those years I walked away with some killer French slang but beyond that not much. The second being the 3 summers I spent visiting my grandparents in the South of France. From those years I walked away with a killer French boyfriend named Jean Marc.
Since those two avenues didn’t pan out…I have chosen to pay for classes during my 29th year on earth.
PUBLISH MY WRITING
Let me clarify something here. I mean publish my writing in places other than my blog. I’m feeling very hopeful about this goal. But, if Marie Claire and Cosmodoesn’t come knocking by day 327, I will have to resort to other measures. Measures that may involve me asking my fellow blogger friends to publish my writings.
LEARN TO TANGO
What a seriously sexy dance to watch! A dance that I am quite sure I will look seriously deranged doing. Thankfully, I can laugh at myself and thankfully I will be enlisting someone to film these classes so you can laugh “with” me as they say.
Mark my words…I will Tango. Oh and when I do I will dance the tango scene from Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
DRIVE ACROSS THE USA
This has ALWAYS been on my bucket list. Some people think this sounds just plain horrible but I think it sounds like heaven. Just you (and hopefully an adventurous co-captain) on the open road…stopping wherever we please…getting lost…getting found…seeing New Orleans…staying in funny motels…barns…Iowa…exploring…photographing…drinking beer with an old man in a dusty bar in Texas. Do you see where I am going with this?
GET A FRENCH BULLDOG
It’s time. It really is. I have waited long enough. He even already has a name…Frank. Or Franc when I’m in a French mood.
CONTRIBUTE TO MY FAVORITE SITES
Each of these sites inspires me to continue creating content that makes us view ourselves as a global community. I would be beyond thrilled to contribute to them.
http://explore.org/ – “Never Stop Learning”
http://www.takepart.com/ – “Inspiration to Action”
http://www.good.is/ – “For People who give a damn”
TASSAJARA
Spend one week at Tassajara, which is a Buddhist Zen center near San Francisco. There I plan to complete a work program and spend my time working in silence. Yes, not talking…to anyone. If accepted I can stay there free of charge in exchange for working at the center. I read the list of possible work duties to my mother, which included
Carpentry
Repairs
Plumbing,
Electrical
Gardening
Painting,
Cooking
Cabin preparation
and general maintenance work for the community.
To which she said…”I don’t hear anything that you can do?”
LEARN HOW TO COOK
This cooking “thing” falls under the same category as this speaking French fluently “thing”. I have had many opportunities to learn. But, still the kitchen gives me panic attacks despite my love of eating. So out of pure necessity I will accomplish this goal. Because, I have learned you can’t save money like “real adults” do if you buy your dinner from Whole Foods every night.
I will start with something very simple…like scrambled eggs. Maybe by the end of this year I will throw a lavish dinner party cooked by MOI. Like how I brought the French full circle?
VOLUNTEER
After reading my list of goals for the last 365 days of my 20’s I thought, “These are rather self-indulgent, huh?” So, lastly I will volunteer consistently for a cause that is near and dear to me
©
365til30.com 
J’aime bien ton blog, c’est super mimi (mignon)! Je vais te suivre et ton progrès!
I LOVE your blog, it’s so cute and I especially like that you want to master 2 things I have mastered. French and Cooking. So if you are ever in my neighborhood here in Paris….you know where you can stay, eat & drink well and have a friggin’ bonne vacance.
Gros Bisous!
Ahhhhh Campbell! I love your blog too! If you noticed its in my favorite list! Thank you for your sweet words:) You may be seeing me in Paris this year…you never know! Hope you are happy and well. Congrats on all your success
Xoxoxo
I didn’t notice….MERCI!!! I love it!!!
I love this concept! At 27, 30 is starting to feel frighteningly close. I’ve always thought of 30 as the year by which I would have it “all figured out”. Now that 30 is looking like a real, and near, prospect… well. I’ll be following your blog now to see how it all goes. 🙂
Christina…thank you so very much for your lovely note!!! It is crazy how quickly 30 comes! I am so excited to have you as a reader. Thank you for the support:)
I hit 29 less than a month ago. I feel the pinch, too. I’m trying to meditate, cook, volunteer, learn Spanish and garden. I’m really enjoying your blog, and it’s giving me some more ideas to add to my self-improvement list. Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us, it’s nice to know there are other 29 year olds sans mortgage, etc. Or should I say…merci!
@plant patience…
Your note put a huge smile on my face. It’s so nice to know somebody is feeling the same way as me! Love your goals- Please let me know how learning Spanish goes. I am having the hardest time with French:) Oh and I am so happy to have you as a reader…because I love your blog as well!
Awesome blog!!! Really liked it a lot!!! 🙂 🙂
Thank you so much!!!! Happy to have you as a reader!
I really enjoyed your blog! Your tagline is catchy and powerful. Also, love how laser focused you’ve become. When I hit 30, I hit a 1/3 life crisis. I hadn’t done what I had wanted to with my life and got my butt in gear. I’ve changed my life around and realized ONE important thing, 30 isn’t the end…. 🙂
Mike thank you for stopping by!! I looked at your blog and love it! I will be reading along from now on:) I agree that 30 is just the beginning….:)
oh i love this! thank you for checking out my blog and leading me to yours!! i too just went camping for the first time this year in northern California, while I was living in San Francisco! i loved it! 🙂 look forward to your future posts!
Thank you so much Amy!!! I loved camping too…quite a surprise! I look forward to your future posts as well:)
kate – great list… do it!
David in Maine USA
Good for you. This seems like a challenging, but achievable list so I’m sure you’ll have an amazing year. The photos along the top of your blog are great too!
I turn 30 in about a month! I wondered if anyone else went through what I have this past year.. such a whirlwind of change and activity…that I actually googled “life up til 30” and your site came up! I am enjoying it, I can relate so much! Hope you accomplish all your goals!
Thanks for choosing to follow my blog. And thanks for introducing me to yours. I’m clearly going to have a lot of fun. I hope you do too.
Hey you fabulous you! You are nominated for the Academy Award Winning Writers Association for…drumroll…The Most Versatile! The Academy would like to thank you for your unending/unwavering awesomeness from yours truly @ Random Acts. Don’t forget me in your acceptance speech! Kiss, kiss, hugs all around!
Fabulous banner, Kate! I love a charming photo-booth sequence 🙂
And what a wonderful concept for a blog; though I do hope you choose to continue with it once you surpass the imminent landmark approaching. I, too, am a pristine 29, just waiting for 30 to come along and soil me. LOL. No, it’s actually not as bleak as all that. To be honest, I’m anticipating my thirties with hope and expectation, and not just because I have no other choice, either, ha, but because it is true what they say: with age comes intelligence — I’ve seen it with my own eyes! I would like to believe I was never an idiot — jury’s still out — but I have certainly felt a shift in the last couple of years; something unnameable and intangibly unavailable for inspection, but a growth and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a woman of integrity, strength, wisdom, and beauty. My physical beauty, for a long time now, has been what’s defined me. I’ll admit, I’m terribly frightened to see it go. But with that fear comes a somewhat tentative hope that in its place, will abound a different kind of beauty, far more alluring than mere attractiveness. I strive for that.
How nice for you that you have a Brian. I have a Michael, and would be utterly lost without his expertise in, well . . . everything. I am not such an adventurous girl — Thai food is generally about as “crazy up in here” I get. Ha! Your list is fantastic, and I will be praying you meet each and every one of those endeavors.
So glad to meet you, Kate!
Blessings,
Cara
Kate, this is so amazing! I really enjoy reading your blog. xoxo
Sasha, thank you so much!!! I appreciate your support. Hope you are happy and well!
xoxoxo
Wow. You had my attention at your blog title and very inspiring catchphrase.I’m on your 105th til the big day, I will make sure to catch up. 🙂
Cheer up, Kate. You have a few good years left! 🙂 I just turned 58 and still feel about 35. Having goals is a great way of keeping yourself headed in the right direction and it feels so good when you can cross one off your list!! You’ll never have everything all figured out but if you did, what would be left? It just gets better every year. Trust me.
Hmmm, I had this comment done and the computer gremlins ate it. Drat!
Just wanted to tell you that you have a few good years left! I just turned 58 but still feel about 35 (in the good ways) while I have fortunately matured some since I was really 35. I still have lots of things I want to do and I don’t plan to ever run out. Life would be so much less interesting if I thought I’d done everything. I think things just get better each year, not that every year is perfect and that there aren’t hardships, but working through the bad times give you character (hopefully a good one!) Age is just a number; your true age is in your mind and spirit. Enjoy the year!
I love your blog! Very inspiring and I can totally relate to how you feel on a bunch of things like not taking the beaten path or wanting a 9-5 but at the same time wondering for security reasons if I should take that path? hmm who knows! but best of luck accomplishing all your goals! Hopefully I will see your name in a magazine one day 🙂
Rachel, thank you so much for your kind words!! I am so touched by them. It’s also so nice to know I am not alone in feeling what I feel:)
I am so with you about driving across the USA! I want a t-shirt from every state! I too want to drink with some old geezer in a dusty old bar and stay in old motels. Husband thinks I’m a little crazy but is willing to go along for the ride, he’s been there and done it but not through my eyes, a Brits eyes he discovered things he hadn’t see before in NYC when I went in with him and he worked there for years.. so.. duh! lol
Maybe a should create a new list for when I grow up (aka hitting 46…;))
I love to hear that you too want to drive across the USA!!! We leave next week and I pretty thrilled! I totally agree you should create a list at 46…I plan on creating another for 31:)
wow, well done! we’re thinking of going in the summer!
Can’t wait to read about your trip! 🙂
lovely blog bursting with positive energies 🙂 you’ll love beeing 30 by the way, i’m a year ahead of you 😉 thank you for following by the way!
xx
I love this list! And really need to do a few these things myself!! =) Especially the road tripping and camping part! =D
So glad you like the list Casey!! I actually leave on the road trip on Thursday!! 🙂
That is WAY too exciting… and I must follow to see how it comes out. Might just be the inspiration I need…it would be so much fun…I crave adventure.
What a fun blog; full of youth, curiosity and ambition. You’re a writer to watch.
What a kind and generous thing to say! Thank you !
I’ve passed on the Versatile Blogger Award to your site. You can check here for the details: http://cecileswriters.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/the-versatile-blogger-award/
I love following your blog and your adventures… keep up the fun 😀
I still have a while til 30 (I’m SO not rubbing it in here) but this blog is such a great idea! I’m excited to follow your journey and thanks for following me as well! (from like, way back when… I need to keep better track of these things…)
I have just received word that you are now following my blog. This is quite an honor–thank you!
very cool site. i love your travel posts!
Thank you so much Urban Explorer!
Seriously, I have mastered cooking since I was 12. When I was 14 I cooked red rice with ribs for my brothers (the only help I needed was for cutting onion) that was the moment I knew that I’m a good chief :P. Also, I love to learn French but I got 10 years to do it.
Sounds like you are a pro in the kitchen! I’ll admit that I hate cutting onions as well:)
Wait’ll you hit 39! I can tell you that your 30s will absolutely be your greatest decade. Looking forward to your adventures. Live it like you mean it!
Thank you so much Brian! I am getting very excited about my 30’s:)
Very inspiring, witty and fun – keep up the good work!!
Thank so much for your kind words!
Love your blog… and got inspired too.. what a 28 year old single girl want.. an inspiration to do things she always wanted to do…
What a lovely blog.
I can’t wait to read more.
So sweet of you to say…thank you!!!
you’ll make it! I’m writing down my before-30 list as well (even though I’ll be 26 in september, I prefer to be a bit in advance!) and we have some points in common: I totally agree on DRIVE ACROSS THE USA, one of my dreams as well, and learning another language (now it’s time for german! so hard! O.O). Very nice blog! xx
I think it’s great to start early!! Good luck making all your dreams come true:) Oh and thank you for your kind words! xx
I’m getting all excited just thinking about your ‘great adventure’. I enjoyed the Marfa excursion (1st interior shot made me think yurt – which is such a cool word) and am looking forward to the rest of the journey. Thank you for stopping by to read me. Be safe, have fun and call your mother. Sorry, that just slipped out. 😉 Nikki
Thank you for the support Nikki! Oh and I promise to call my mom:)
am goin to be 27 this august and im already wondering about my 30th birthday 😉
30 comes so quick!! Enjoy every moment and happy almost birthday!
what a lovely site! this time last year i was lucky enough to make it to the US from Australia and do a 3wk road trip with 3 of my friends – one of the best experiences of my life! i travelled through New Orleans and Tennessee too (Graceland inc. of course!) – great looking back at these places through your blog 🙂
Thank you so much! I happen to think your site is lovely too!!
Aren’t road trips the BEST:)
Love what you’re doing! There’s no time like now to “turn the can’ts into cans and the dreams into plans!” Thanks for the follow on both of my High Fives blogs….find me on facebook as well. Look forward to reading more! 🙂
I named you on this little list. 🙂
http://theusualbliss.com/2012/05/20/its-a-major-award-8/
Thank you my dear!!! SO honored to be on that list:)
I should have read this 363 days ago (taking leap year in account)! From this monday on I’ll be 30… 3 0… thirty. Well I’m just going to start turning the can’ts into cans before 31, proving that even 30-year-olds can live their dreams 😉
Thanks for inspiring me!
Iris… all the way from The Netherlands 🙂
Love the blog! I may have to steal some ideas for my impending 30th year on earth. 🙂
Thank you so much!!! So happy to have you as a reader!! Steal away!! 🙂
Hey, there! thanks for the follow! I’m diggin’ your blog, my dear 🙂 ‘specially “learn french” heehee (I am currently taking on this task, as well!
I just turned 29 myself, and though I’m not unhappy about where I am, I’m certainly not where I expected. That number does make you think about things, huh? This is a fabulous project.
Thank you so much molly!!!! So happy to have you as a reader:) happy birthday by the way!
I found your blog through “The usual bliss” who I now consider to be an amazing friend and I LOVE it! Can’t wait to scroll back through all your thoughts and catch up 🙂
What a lovely note to receive! Thank you for your kind words and I’m happy to have you as a reader! Look forward to looking through your blog as well:)
Hi! I like this idea 🙂 Turning 30 wasn’t so bad right? I actually look forward to being 40 [you know the new 20’s]. To me that’s when you’re really in tune with yourself [and don’t take crap from anyone haha] Thanks for the follow! looking forward to your posts.
PS. I also wanna do these items on your list [except for camping, the wilderness likes me better during the day, and only the day]
Totally agree about the camping thing. I much prefer the wilderness during the day!! I had a very hard time sleeping in a tent. Soooo uncomfortable! Thanks for the follow back. I look forward to reading your posts too!
Kate,
Il me fera plaisir d’échanger en français avec toi. And of course, take an English breather.
Le Clown
Hi – I love your blog! Turning 30 is not a big deal, and turning 40 is not anything different either! I’ve done both 🙂 And yes, if your get the chance, get a French Bulldog!
Hi!! Thank you so much! I turned 30 on July 8th and have been loving it so far:) I’m looking forward to the journey of my 30’s….
Still dying to get a French Bulldog though!
Then belated Happy Birthday! Stay healthy and happy! And just like with yoga – keep at with the wish of owning a French Bulldog! You’ll get it right one day! 🙂
Woah, so close to me with the birthday too. I am just a few years behind you but the “Oh-My-God-I’m-turning-THIRTY-soon” hit me this year too! I have made a list as well and I’m doing my best to cross off a bunch of the bucket list items this very year alone. Crossing a few of the big ones as we speak, it is super, terrifyingly, incredibly awesome!
You’re an inspiration. Keep living your life to the fullest babe!
Hi Kate,
I’ve nominated you for The Tagging Blogathon…!
To learn more please visit –
http://mywaytotruth.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/the-tag-blogathon/
Hi Kate, you have a very nice blog here! Wish you all the best in your future endeavours! Thank you very much for follwong my blog!
Arlen
Fantastic, like your outlook.
Although, don’t worry about the age thing, it is over-rated, besides you only need one if you are going to collect social security. I ask myself everyday, “how old would I be if I didn’t know how old I was”…
Crikey, works a treat for me!
Are you doing anything specifically in Nepal?
Good luck out there…
Hi Kate! Thanks so much for following my blog, and a big CONGRATS on your upcoming wedding!!! 🙂
Loved your piece on Tassajara. Your experiences and humorous reactions reminded me of my own.
Thanks for the follow, your blog is AWESOME! I look forward to reading more!
Well, congrats on turning 30! I love LA. Before I came to SE Asia I spent a couple days in Venice Beach with a couple of friends, it was a great way to say goodbye to the states for a while. Seems surreal when I look back on it, the start of my worldwide journey..well looks like I’m talking about myself now, hah. Looking forward to exploring your blog.
I nominated you for The Bouquet of Three Award! Congratulations! http://soulfoodwords.me/2013/05/11/whoo-hoo-the-bouquet-of-three-award/
Hey! I have a question about your blog. Could you please send me an email when you get a chance? Thanks!!
Hello, Namaste
Can I publish your article ” You stole my heart” in my magazine, TRAVEL NEPAL- a tourism magazine for promotion of Nepal’s tourism? Can I use your pictures also?
Thanks, expecting a positive response
Deepak KC
MD travel Nepal
Namaste Deepak
I would be delighted to have you publish the article and the pictures in your magazine. Please credit me ( Kate McClafferty) as the writer and my husband Brian Glodney for the photography. Could you also let me know when you are publishing it? Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks! Kate
Looks like you have already gotten a good start on your list with Frank the bulldog!
Love your About Page, your reasons for blogging, and your attitude toward life. The post that talks about how life gets bigger and better but more complicated resonates with me. We’re both retired and downsizing, so I guess you sort of return to those first married years in a way — living life and not worrying about stuff so much. Thanks for following Oh, the Places We See. As you can tell, we now spend money and time on travel. And we like it like that!
Kate how lovely to find you! I am 29, 30 later this year in November. And I’m FEELING that 30 looming, not in a big way, but kinda too. I’m lax to put pressure on with certain goals, but I love what you’ve done here!
Love this idea girl! Excited to keep following your journey!