23 things to do before you're 23 (that are actually worth writing about)

There have been more than enough angry responses to this cynical 22-year old's blog post about her frustration with her friends getting married before they are 23 years old and her list of suggestions for what 20somethings should do instead of tying the knot.



In her blog post, she says she "gets" why people marry young: because they "want someone to cuddle with" and because "the transition after college is hard."

I hope she was being completely sarcastic, but I don't think she was. I think she genuinely believes that's why her colleagues got married.

Anyway, instead of her lame list, which I accomplished for the most part before I even turned 19, (except for getting a tattoo and... does starting a Guitar Hero rock band count?), I decided to write a real list, from yet another 22-year old. After all, I turn 23 in a few months, so I am actually hoping to cross these off my list before my birthday!

23 things to do before you're 23.... (single or married, I don't care)

1. Make the decision to care for someone other than yourself, on a regular basis
2. Choose a course for yourself and stick to it (something that will make you happy and that holds a future)
3. Decide not to make strangers feel uncomfortable in public places. Instead, make them feel better about themselves by the time you part ways.
4. Bake a cake (or two) and give it to someone to brighten their day
5. Take the money you would spend on signing up for Crossfit and spend/save/give it to a more meaningful cause
6. Make it a point to make a kid laugh
7. Make it a point to teach a kid something valuable
8. Take a photo with a new friend you made in a public place
9. Hand-write letters to people you know (or don't know) just to show that you care
10. Talk to your parents/mentors and tell them expressly what you've learned from them
11. Spend a day completely alone, exploring somewhere you've never been
12. Volunteer an entire weekend, whether you like it or not (then discover why you like it)
13. Spend a lunch hour talking with the man or woman on the street you always pass by
14. Go to Starbucks and buy someone else their drink
15. Instead of losing X lbs, reach that fitness goal (for me, it's a 23-minute 5k)
16. Make a list of your closest friends, then try to add one really good friend every month
17. Encourage your co-workers every single day
18. Give yourself homework or assigned reading to improve your education
19. Accomplish an online class
20. Learn a new skill-set, then use it to bring others happiness
21. Ask others to share their knowledge/strengths with you; learn from them
22. Spend less on material items like clothes and food
23. Go to bed every night content with your life

What do you think? Is this a good list? What would you take off or add? Share with me if you have a good story to tell or find any of these tasks challenging, easy, or ridiculous.