Something about 2025 feels momentous. Maybe it’s because we’re officially a quarter of the way through the century, or maybe it’s because I’m turning 30 this year!

I know some people dread aging, but I’ve always loved the idea of getting older—emphasis on myself! Everyone else in my life, though? They can stay right where they are. My parents, nieces, and nephews don’t need to age a day. Please and thank you.

For me, growing older has always felt exciting. I’ve always believed that the best of life is still to come, and so far, I haven’t been wrong. Part of that excitement stems from being one of the youngest in my family (both immediate and extended). I’ve spent much of my life playing catch-up—trying to match their milestones, maturity, and passions. With a six-year gap between me and my next nearest sibling and 16 years between me and the oldest, I often felt like I was running behind. It wasn’t until my mid-20s that I started to feel like I could finally relate to them. But then they started having kids, buying homes, and once again, I was left trying to catch up.

So, for me, aging has always felt like a bridge—one that brings me closer to the people I care about most. And now, as I approach 30, it feels like I’m finally catching up, yet again.

The other reason I’m so excited to turn 30 is because I have a feeling this next decade will be monumental. I’ve spent my 20s working hard to build the foundations of my life, and my hope is that my 30s will be when I start to see that hard work pay off.

That brings me to this blog. I want to share with you what I’m hoping to learn and achieve in this new chapter. Let me preface by saying I obviously don’t know everything about being 30—I’ve never been here before! Some of what I hope to achieve might not even happen during this decade, but this is my list and plan, so take it as you will.

What I Hope to Learn in My 30s

I’m only 29, and in the grand scheme of the life I hope to live, I’m just a small percentage through my life, so I just know there is a whole lot more for me to learn. I’m a true believer that you learn something new every day, and I hope that continues as I enter my 30s era. Here are some things I hope to learn in my 30s:

• New Hobbies – I’ve always loved trying new things, and turning 30 won’t change that. Some hobbies might be brand new, while others could be rediscovered. For example, I used to sew a lot as a kid, but I lost touch with it in my 20s. In my 30s, I hope to reconnect with sewing and crafting, while also exploring new hobbies like pilates, gaming, or something I haven’t even heard of yet!

• The Ins & Outs of My Body – Women’s bodies change so much throughout our lives, from menstruation to menopause and everything in between. It’s impossible to keep up with it all, but I’m committed to meeting my body where it’s at and learning to understand her better as I grow older. In my 30s, this feels especially important as I embark on the journey to motherhood and work toward becoming the fittest and healthiest version of myself.

• Motherhood – I hope to enter motherhood in my 30s, which I know will bring lessons I can’t fully imagine yet. I’ve watched so many women around me step into their motherhood era, picking up bits of wisdom along the way, but the real lessons will come when I’m in their shoes. From the moment my husband and I decide we’re ready to start this journey, I know the learning will never end—because let’s be honest, I’m sure even my parents are still learning as they navigate parenthood of fully grown adults.

• Home Ownership – Fingers crossed, my husband and I will buy a house within the next ten years (hopefully sooner!). Watching others navigate homeownership has taught me how much I don’t know, but it’s something I’m eager to learn. From paperwork to maintenance, I know there will be countless lessons along the way but I am so ready for this one.

• Investing & Retirement Planning – While homeownership falls under this umbrella, I hope to deepen my understanding of investing and planning for the future. In just the past few months, my husband and I have started taking steps toward building a serious financial plan, and we’ve already learned so much. I do wish I had started this in my 20s, but I think it will suit me better heading into my 30s, when I feel more prepared to plan for the long term.

• Commitment & Partnership Building – After more than five years together, my husband and I have grown so much individually and as a couple—but like anything in life, partnership building is ongoing. We aren’t the same people we were when we started dating in 2019, or even when we began 2024. As we grow, so does our relationship, evolving with our lives. In our 30s, I imagine we’ll face exciting changes—parenthood, homeownership, career shifts—all of which will shape our partnership. We’ve made a vow to keep respect and love at the forefront, and I know as long as we hold onto that, we’ll navigate whatever life brings our way. This decade will teach us even more about building a life together, and I’m ready to keep learning and growing by his side.

What I Hope to Achieve in My 30s

A lot of the things I hope to achieve align to what I hope to learn, so I will keep those bits short and elaborate on some that don’t necessarily relate to the list above. Now, this isn’t everything, but these items are at the top of my mind when I think of life in my 30s, so here we go:

• Buy a House – I’ve been obsessed with having a place to truly call my own since I knew what a house was. HGTV was my comfort channel when I was like 12, and it still is today. Living in Los Angeles means starting with a condo or townhouse is likely, but that’s perfectly fine with me. As long as it’s ours—mine and my husband’s—and I can make it feel like home, I’ll be happy. 

• Start a Family – First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes...a house to fit a family! Okay, so that’s not how the rhyme goes, but that’s the timeline my husband and I want. Starting a family is something we both look forward to, and I hope this journey begins for us in my 30s. While I plan to grow our family through pregnancy, I know life can take unexpected turns, and I’m open to wherever this path leads us.

• Career Moves – If my 20s taught me anything, it’s what I don’t want in a career. Honestly, I don’t see myself working for someone else long-term. Right now, I’m at a job I enjoy (even if it doesn’t pay enough—relatable, right?), but by the time I leave my 30s, I hope to have built something of my own. If I had things my way, I’d start my own creative endeavor that will provide enough income to sustain my contribution to my life with my husband (and future family) and allow me not to have to work a typical job. I don’t know what that looks like yet—creative entrepreneurship, maybe full-time content creation—but I’m excited to find out.

• Content Creation – Whether or not it becomes my full-time career, content creation will always be a part of my life. I love creating content that evolves with me, and I’m excited to see how my platform grows and changes in my 30s. My goal is to continue growing my audience and, hopefully, turn this passion into a sustainable, lucrative venture.

• Healthy Girl Era – I have always, always, always, been a big girl. I have no issue being a bigger woman, however, I do have an issue being an unhealthy woman, which is something I have been on and off throughout my entire life, and that’s just not a fluctuation I want to bring with me into my 30s. My 30s will be about becoming the healthiest version of myself—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I want to eat better, feel better, build my self-esteem, and nurture my mental health so I’m thriving all around.

• Debt Free – My 30s are when I plan to clear my debts for good. Bye bye, student loans. Bye bye, credit card debt. Bye bye, car loans. While I’ll likely have a mortgage and maybe one new car loan, my goal is to tackle everything else early in the decade so I can live most of my 30s financially free. I made big progress on this in 2024, paying off my private student loans, and I want to keep that momentum going.

• Nurturing Friendships & Connections – I’m not saying “no new friends,” but I do want to focus on nurturing the relationships I already have. It’s so easy to let time and distance put space between friends, but I don’t want that to be my reality in my 30s. I want to lose the mindset that says, “Out of sight, out of mind,” and instead prioritize the people who matter most. When I go through the big changes this decade will bring, I know I’ll need my friends (and family) more than ever.

• My Sense of Self – This isn’t a goal to achieve as much as a commitment to myself. With so much change on the horizon—being a wife, hopefully a mother—I want to make sure I don’t lose sight of who I am. I’ll always take time for my own growth, nurture my passions, and stay connected to myself. Yes, I’ll grow and change, but I’ll always make sure I stay true to who I am. I will be a great wife, mother, daughter, friend, and more—but I’ll always be Sahara.

The start of a new decade feels exciting, overwhelming, and full of possibility all at once. My 30s are shaping up to be transformative, and while I know I won’t achieve everything on this list overnight (or perhaps even in this decade), having these goals gives me a vision for the life I want to create. Here’s to a decade of growth, lessons, and milestones—let’s see where this journey takes me. And if you’re turning 30 this year too (or in the near future), join me! Let me know in the comments below what you’re hoping to get out of this new decade and what you’re ready to leave behind. Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel or follow me on Instagram and TikTok for updates on life as I approach my 30s.