30 New Things in My 30th Year – First Update! 🌟
When the clock struck midnight on January 1st, 2025, I kicked off a very personal and slightly ambitious challenge: to try 30 new things in my 30th year.
My twenties were shaped in huge part by chronic illness—diagnoses, surgeries & medications and learning to navigate life as a disabled woman. It meant that a lot of the experiences many people take for granted—spontaneous fun, travel, learning new skills—had to be put on pause while I focused on surviving and adapting.
But this year, I wanted to do more than survive.
So from January 1st to December 31st, 2025, I’m challenging myself to try 30 new things—big or small, joyful or bold, accessible and adapted—to help me reclaim the milestones and memories I missed, and make my thirties start with curiosity, community, and a bit of chaos (the good kind).
Now that we’re about a quarter of the way through the year, it felt like the perfect time for an update. Here’s how it’s going!
✅ 30 for 30 Progress: What I’ve Tried So Far
- Fed a jaguar and tickled a tapir at Hertfordshire Zoo – yes, really! As far as animal encounters go, this one was top tier. A totally surreal, joyful, and accessible experience. You can watch the whole experience on my youtube channel!
- Tried adaptive skiing at Snozone in Milton Keynes – Skiing was one of the top activities I wanted to tick off my list as I had skiied as a child but it’s not something I ever thought I’d do as a disabled person but trying sit-skiing gave me a real sense of freedom and fun. I may have screamed the whole way down the but time but in the end, I felt like I was flying.
- Started learning British Sign Language (BSL) – I’ve been using the Bright BSL app and have kept up a 95-day streak so far! I’m learning loads of signs, though stringing together sentences is still tricky—so I might take a proper course to build my confidence.
- Started learning to read music – I’ve been using Duolingo and I’m on an 85-day streak! It’s already making a difference at choir, and I’m hoping to learn a bit of keyboard or another instrument this summer.
- Got a (tiny) tattoo… kind of – Okay, technically it was a patch test, but it’s still ink and still the first time I’ve done anything like it. The real tattoo is happening next month, and I’m already nervous-excited!
The Honest Bit: What’s Been Tricky
Let’s be real—life with chronic illness isn’t always predictable, and sticking to a personal challenge like this isn’t all sunshine and serotonin.
- My skincare routine, which I optimistically kicked off in January, fell apart by February (oops).
- We had a sofa-buying mishap that definitely wasn’t the “fun new thing” I had in mind. I’ve never bought a sofa before and we ordered one in January. We thought we had ordered a smaller one to make our home more accessible but I think I got confused between different sofas and mismeasured and they delivered a sofa which was WAY too big. I may have had a minor mental breakdown and lost some money but this issue should be resolved soon!
- And keeping up with the challenge while managing work, fatigue, and executive dysfunction has been a balancing act.
Still, this challenge isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. Showing up for myself. Making memories. Trying, even when it’s messy.
What’s Coming Up Next?
Here’s a sneak peek at some things on the horizon:
- A girls’ weekend is planned for later this year— my friends are planning it and it’s and I have no idea what we’re doing. It’ll be my first ever trip without parents or my partner, so it’s a big personal milestone!
- This week, I’m doing something that involves flying for the first time as a wheelchair user—stay tuned for how that goes!
- We have lots of potential sports in the pipe line including Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Fencing.
- And of course, my first tattoo is finally happening next month!
- I’m also busy planning my 30th birthday celebrations which is exciting and nerve-wracking!
Can You Help Me Tick Off a Dream?
Some of the bigger dream items on my list need a little outside help—so I’m putting the call out!
I’m still hoping to:
- Walk (or roll!) the red carpet at a film or TV premiere (bonus points if it’s Wicked: For Good 💚)
- Be an extra in a TV show or film – even just for a scene!
If you work in TV, film, PR, events—or know someone who does—I’d love any tips, introductions, or wild ideas to help make this happen!
What Should I Try Next?
I’m always on the lookout for new ideas to add to my list—so now it’s your turn!
What should I try as part of this challenge?
Whether it’s something fun, meaningful, empowering, or just plain silly, I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Leave a comment below, drop me a message on Instagram, or tag me in ideas. I’m especially interested in things that are accessible and joyful for disabled folks—because this challenge is all about disabled joy and expanding the stories we tell about life with chronic illness.
Let’s Keep the Momentum Going 💫
So far, I’ve ticked off 5 out of 30—and while I’ve got a long way to go, I’m honestly loving the journey. Whether it’s an animal encounter, learning a new skill, or just finding ways to make the everyday extraordinary, this challenge is helping me reclaim my time and rewrite what my 30th year looks like.
Thanks for coming along for the ride—and if you can help me make a dream happen, please do get in touch. 💖
Let’s make the rest of this year unforgettable.
