Twenty five before 25

So a friend recently showed me their goals for the future, and asked me what mine are... I realised I couldn't give an answer off the top of my head. It made me feel a bit like I have no ambitions, though I'm sure I do, I just don't have a long term plan yet!

Inspired by the likes of Mackenzie Horan's 101 in 1001 and plenty of 25 before 25 lists, I decided to do a combination of the two. 25 before 25 seems to be based on goals for the next year, and 101 in 1001 takes about 2 years and 9 months. I turn 25 in about 2 and a half years, but don't want to force myself to come up with 101 random goals which wouldn't necessarily be practical. So mine is more of a 25 in 1001 combined!

In no particular order, here goes:

1. Restart learning Italian. 3 years of it starting age 11 didn't get me far, I knew I should have chosen a second language at GCSE instead of Art...
2. Host a proper dinner party for a wider group of friends. I've cooked for the majority of my friends, but want to do a full 3 course meal style dinner, and with friends from different social circles.
3. Take my parents for dinner. A proper one! Not just a sandwich from a cafe..!
4. Start saving regularly. I'm not a student anymore! 
5. Start a regular donation to charity. I know exactly which charity, I just need to set this up. 
6. Travel somewhere new. I don't mean another town in France, it's time to push the boundaries, whether Europe or properly overseas.
7. Get healthy. Balance my love of baking and sugar with healthy eating and regular exercise.
8. Make an investment purchase. It's time to give the Chanel sunglasses a friend, maybe a handbag?
9. Make note of all the recipes I use. I'm getting good(ish) at blogging them, but I would love to have a handwritten recipe book of all my favourites that will hopefully fall apart over the years like some we have on our shelf!
10. Zumba instructor course. Something that has been playing on my mind for a while, but I'm not sure if I'd actually want to be an instructor?! I have too much fun in classes!!
11. Go to the ballet.
12. Give three gifts for no reason. And this doesn't include really little things like panda earrings for my sister...
13. Charge people for my baking/cooking. I happily give it away, but I wouldn't say no to a little side business!
14. Go sailing. I've done days on motor boats, but I want to try the proper sailing experience!
15. Plan what I want to do with my life after 25! Sort out what my life ambitions really are, I've got time at least!
16. Go wine tasting. I know some specifics that I like, but I want to be able to say more than 'I like this bottle and I don't like this bottle'.
17. Get new curtains for my room. They will definitely be too childish when I reach 25...
18. Buy my own skis. Let's see if this is realistic and practical in the long run.
19. Organise paperwork. Online banking doesn't stop the post completely!
20. Regain my flexibility. I can still do the splits but it hurts so much more than it used to, perhaps I should take up yoga or Pilates.
21. Switch off an hour before bed for a week. My iPad makes this difficult so I want to turn them off and read a good book instead.
22. Spa day
23. Buy a posh bottle of champagne to save for something special.
24. Go on holiday with my friends. It's been a while since I did this, and I have decided that my sister doesn't count!
25. Send somebody a letter for no reason. My mum would often do this when I was at uni, just little notes to say hello or an update, who doesn't love receiving post?!

Keep updated on my 25 before 25 list here!