In less than 6 months I’m hitting my next landmark age – 25. I know, super scary right? When I was little I thought of 25-year-olds as these big adults who had high-powered careers and mortgages and marriages, but as I approach this milestone with my low-level marketing job, tenancy agreement and ringless finger, I’ve realised that those things are so not my style. Maybe for 30-year-old me, but not yet.

However shunning the traditional markers of a ‘successful’ life doesn’t mean I don’t want to progress and develop myself. The idea of getting older has never scared me that much as long as I’m happy with where I am in my life – I reason that time passing is no disaster as long as you’re using it well. It got me thinking about the things I want to achieve by the time I’m 25, and I came up with a little list…

Learn basic coding

Kids nowadays are having HTML lessons at school, but my generation wasn’t so lucky. I’m not naturally techy, in fact I’m pretty much IT-illiterate, but I’m becoming increasingly aware that having some HTML and CSS knowledge would be really useful for my job. I’m already tracking down free courses online, and maybe in the future I’ll be able to nudge my employer to hook me up with an actual qualification…

Take control of my money

I’ve always been pretty good with my money – I don’t often splash out on non-essentials and I’ve never lived outside my means. However I do know that I should be doing more; as of October I’ll have a work pension and before 25 I’m going to get my first ever credit card so I don’t end up with a Nick Miller-style credit rating. I also know I’m not saving as much as I could be, so I’m going to make more of an effort to budget. There may even be a spreadsheet.

Go to a festival

That’s right; I’ve never partaken in that rite of passage where you go get drunk and muddy in a field with your best mates while listening to some music. A travesty. This one is cheating a little as it’s already happening – in September I’m going to End Of The Road with one of my best friends. Should be an awesome introduction to festivals – my friend just happens to be a journalist so she’s scored me not only a free ticket but also backstage access. Hell to the yeah…

Take a wine class

I know, I know, this sounds more than a little pretentious, but bear with me. Wine fascinates me; there’s something undeniably sophisticated about it, and after first getting a taste for red wine last year I’m now totally in love. I’m starting to get to grips with what I prefer, but I’d really like to be able to peruse a wine list and actually understand what I’m reading. Plus, the classes always include free tastings!

Plan an epic solo holiday

I’m aware how much this looks like a cop out (‘plan’ a trip? really?), but as my birthday is in January and I have about 5 days of annual leave left for this year it’s basically impossible for me to actually take a solo trip, so my aim is just to decide what the trip will be. I’ve been lucky enough to visit a fair few countries for someone of my age, but I’ve never done a lone trip. 2016 will be the year that changes!

Does anyone else have a list like this for before they reach their next birthday? Share your ideas!