Today is my birthday! And it’s also my sister’s birthday! Maybe it’s your birthday too?
I should be partying it up but instead I spent the morning doing laundry, taking out the trash, and paying bills, and now I’m sitting at my desk writing a blog post. Oh and I even flossed my teeth – in the morning! You see, I’ve just entered my fourth decade so I have to become boring and grown up now. I’m thinking of making brown rice and broiled salmon for dinner.
Just kidding, I’m definitely having chocolate chip cookies for dinner.
And the reason I’ve been rushing around with grown up chores this morning is that I’m leaving early tomorrow morning for a weekend in Rotterdam! And then next week Dan and I will be leaving on a two week road trip through Northern Norway, which is extra exciting because then it will be Dan’s birthday!
Wow, so many exclamation points. Is this what my thirties will be like?
To be honest, I sort of am expecting my thirties to be full of exclamation points. Like, I don’t think I’ve had such high expectations for a new decade since I turned thirteen. And uh, hopefully my thirties live up to those expectations a bit better than my teens did. Or at least thirteen – did anyone enjoy being thirteen?
Anyway as I was saying, while I generally feel very meh about my birthdays, turning thirty does feel like something special. I mean, I’ve read the blog posts. 30 Things I’ve Learned in 30 Years, 3 Things It’s Taken Me 30 Years to Learn, 30 Things to Do Before Turning 30 —
Oh no, I knew I was forgetting something. It’s like that time my sister decided to read War and Peace before she turned thirteen and I was about to turn ten so she told me I should read it too because that would be even more impressive, but I didn’t.
I don’t know, should I make a bucket list for my thirties instead? I feel like that’s really just setting myself up for failure though. How about I just make a few very vague, very easy to accomplish goals for my thirties instead?
1. Put less pressure on my travels and make fewer goals
How’s that for an easy to accomplish goal? Have fewer goals.
No, what I really mean is that I want to put less pressure on myself to have certain experiences on my travels, or to travel in a particular way. I shouldn’t consider a trip wasted if I don’t become best friends with locals or have a crazy experience hitchhiking through an unknown landscape.
In the same vein, a lot of my twenties were about wanting to see ALL the places, whereas now I’m feeling a lot more relaxed about that bucket list. Of course there are still so many new places I’m eager to visit, but I feel less frantic about booking all of those trips, like NOW.
2. Revisit more of the places I love
This isn’t exactly something new for my thirties, as I’ve always made a point of planning travels to both new places and old favorites. Though there are some far off countries that I’ve been meaning to return to for a long time now and I hope that I’ll actually make those trips happen in the coming years. I’m talking about you, Central Asia. Oh and Thailand and Nepal!
3. Finally learn Spanish
This is the most concrete thing I can think of that will actually make me a better traveler. Each foreign language I have learned has proved so useful on my travels and I would love to add another one to the mix.
But mostly I need to learn Spanish because I’m so embarrassed over not knowing any that I’ve avoided an entire continent because of it. And I really would love to see some of South America.
Of course I’ve traveled to plenty of countries where I don’t speak the language, but I think I feel particularly bad about not speaking Spanish because I grew up in the US and really should have learned at least some. But I will! Once I master Norwegian…
4. Travel more locally – maybe?
So it turns out I have so many feelings about this that I’m going to have to make this one into its very own blog post – you can read it here!
5. Give myself more time for photography and videos
This might sound strange coming from a blogger, as I probably take way more photos and videos on my travels than most people. But up until a year or so ago, I always felt a little guilty when I stopped to take a photo or video clip.
I think part of me felt like I was breaking the magic of the moment by pulling out my camera, and part of me just found it all a little embarrassing. But the truth is, I love taking photos and making little videos of my travels and I think it’s time to accept that as part of my travel experience. Because as bad as it might (or might not?) sound, I probably am going to enjoy a hike or excursion more if I bring my camera along and I need to let myself be okay with that.
Plus, I really do treasure the photos I have of my past travels, and I would especially love to have more videos of all the amazing things I get to experience.
6. Face my fears when I know I should
I said that I want to put less pressure on my travels, but I think at the same time I need to remind myself that a little pressure is a good thing. I’m scared of a lot of things, and as I’ve gotten older I’ve become better at acknowledging when something pushes too far past my limits. So like, whereas at twenty you totally could have peer pressured me into going bungee jumping with you, now there is no way.
And I think that’s largely a good thing, but sometimes it ends up meaning that I give myself too much of a break. I find myself facing my fears more rarely these days, but when I do it always feels amazing! And I think that’s because well 1. it’s good to overcome fears, but also 2. deep down I know when I have a fear that I really should overcome.
So I guess what I’m saying is now that I’m a more seasoned traveler than I was ten years ago, I might need to make a greater effort not to let myself become too comfortable on my travels.
7. Read War and Peace
Okay I just threw this last one in with the hopes that I won’t still have the guilt I felt on my 10th birthday weighing on me when I turn forty. Plus I read somewhere that it’s better to use odd numbers in blog posts but I couldn’t come up with seven goals. See that? I’m already on my way to accomplishing goal #1!
Do you have any other suggestions, or something you’d like to do to become a better traveler?
Emily says
Happy birthday to you! Your goals sound realistic and attainable (I mean, maybe not War and Peace…have you seen how big that book is?) haha
Silvia says
Yeah if I do make it through War and Peace it will be through sheer stubbornness.
Arielle says
Happy birthday! Mine was actually on Saturday. I hella relate to all your goals, except the Spanish one because I already speak it. Maybe I’ll switch that for Russian? I really want to learn Russian. If only we could transfer languages to each other via osmosis or mind melds or whatever.
Silvia says
Oh no way – happy birthday! And ah, imagine if we could just transfer languages like that – that would seriously be the best. I can definitely recommend Russian though – I think it’s actually been the most useful language of all on my travels.
Arielle says
I know sooo many May babies… wonder what was going down in August??
Mary B says
Happy Birthday! Hope your 30’s live up to your expectations 🙂 It certainly has been my best travel decade so far – but I hope they just keep getting better!
Silvia says
My dad has assured me that each decade gets better, and if his life and travels is anything to go on he seems to be right!
Anne says
Happy birthday! It isn’t my birthday, but I am going to Rotterdam this weekend too! Are you going to Traverse? And have you seen the weather forecast!!! (That one’s definitely worth 3 exclamation marks!)
Silvia says
Oooh exciting! Yes, I’m going for Traverse – I guess I’ll see you there!
Zoie @ Whisked Away By Words says
Happy birthday Sylvia! I can’t relate to turning 30 (read: I’m still in my teens), but I definitely can relate to some of your goals. I actually made it a goal earlier this year to travel more of my hometown, because before, I always believed my home was the most boring place compared to my travels. Weekends of exploring my home later, I’ve finally learned to love my hometown, and I’ve consequently learned to satisfy my wanderlust — even when I’m not traveling someplace new. There’s something very sweet about finally being able to love my home as much as I love the new places I travel to. 😊
Anyways, I hope your birthday day was wonderful! Looking forward to your new posts!
Silvia says
Oh how I wish I had learned that lesson already in my teens – I’m still working on that one, haha.
Zoie @ Whisked Away By Words says
Oh noooo I realized I spelled your name wrong in my earlier comment! Sorry about that, Silvia 😅
Rosie says
Happy birthday! Did you enjoy a plate of cookies for dinner last night? I moved to Scotland from England last September and I really want to explore more of it. We’ve discovered some beautiful beaches and places locally, but I’d love to go a bit further afield – the western isles look incredible.
Silvia says
Haha I ate so many cookies that I felt quite ill. And oh wow, you do have a lot to explore! I would love to live in Scotland for a while – or at least have an excuse to spend more time there.
Nynke says
Wow, I’m not only late finishing this blog post, but *I’ve also missed two more!?* You’re on a roll!
I liked goal nr. 7, but it did surprise me – I figured you’d probably read it in Russian when you studied Russian! You know, just to get back at your sister ;). Seriously, don’t read it unless you think you’ll really enjoy it! And maybe not in Russian, as it’s quite lot to get through even in your native language?
Re. Spanish: go for it! No es demasiado difícil! (*not necessarily correct Spanish, and where is that upside-down exclamation mark when you need it?)
I hope you’re having fun in Rotterdam! The weather is and will be wonderful! I wish I could give you cool local tips, but I don’t know any, in spite of the fact that I used to work there. Hmm… Don’t forget to see the cube homes? and the crazy big food hall? Nothing you don’t already know about :).
Nynke says
Well, what do you know. I’ve just landed on a local tip entirely by accident! You probably know bitterballen, the totally delicious round meat croquettes the Dutch love. Apparently Rotterdam now has a delicious vegetarian version made with oyster mushrooms! This makes my mouth water. Locations that sell them listed here: https://www.rotterzwam.nl/en_US/page/bitterballen
Silvia says
Ooooh that sounds amazing – thanks for sharing!
Silvia says
The first “real” Russian literature I read in Russia was a short story by Tolstoy, but I never got further than that. I love his short stories but I’m not as big a fan of his longer works – at least I thought Anna Karenina had a bit too many details about farming, and I’m even less interested in reading about the intricacies of battles. But maybe I’m underestimating him!
And yes, I cannot believe my luck with the weather this weekend. I’m so excited to be back in the Netherlands!
Dominique | dominiquetravels.com says
Happy belated birthday! Welcome to the Club (yes, this is a club with a capital C) 🙂
I’m starting to realise that less pressure and less goals are the way to go in your thirties. It’s all about enjoying and not about running around trying to see & do it all. It’s time for some more reflection & quiet enjoyment.
I hope you enjoy your stay in my little country this weekend!
Camila @ Adventitious Violet says
haha good luck with War and Peace, and I love the one about making less goals! It’ll definitely be mine too from next year!
Cheryl says
Happy Birthday!
You share the same Birthday as my brother.
The 30s are awesome, you definitely feel more comfortable with your choices and call yourself out on your own B.S. more.
Can’t wait for the Norway post!
Silvia says
Haha I like the thought of getting better at calling myself out! And here’s the Norway post: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/should-i-stay-in-norway/
Monica Stott says
I’m a bit late but happy birthday! I love your goals. Apart from reading War and Peace!
Silvia says
Ah thanks, love!
Annabloem says
It’s a bit late, but happy birthday.
I had a giggle at your intro until (“maybe it’s your birthday too”) and then I noticed you posted this on may 24th, which happens to indeed be my birthday xD Definitely some good travel goals, I should take some up myself. I totally agree with the photo/filming thing, I always end up feeling a bit awkward taking them too, but I really do love looking through them again.