A couple of years ago when I turned 35, I shared a list of 40 things I really wanted to achieve before I turned 40 years old.
I knew I was setting myself a pretty big task with only having 5 years to achieve them in, but I liked the idea of really making the most of the last years of my 30s and doing things I've dreamed about for years.
I'm now 2 years in, and so far I've managed to cross 14 things off.
I'll share them at the end of this post if you want to see my progress, but what's really struck me when looking back on my list is how much I've changed as a person in those two years.
There are things listed there which were obviously important to me two years which I've now had a complete change of heart and mind on.
For example, the very first thing on my list was to get to a dress size that I feel comfortable with. My mind was so completely consumed back then with feelings of wanting to change myself in order to be more appealing to society, and if I'm completely honest...to online followers!, that the main thing I wanted to achieve was to take up less space in the world.
Now...I have no interested in that whatsoever. I've crossed it off my list because although I haven't achieved it in the way I intended to...by losing weight...I HAVE achieved it in a different way.
I am the same dress size that I was then...but I feel comfortable with it. Because I know now that I'm perfectly fine exactly as I am. Job done!
Looking back at the list has me thinking about how close I am to 40 now, and how the next list I make will be one of things to do before I'm 50.
It's strange to think of myself as nearing that age bracket. I've always thought of 50 as the start of "Old age" but the closer I get to it, the more I realize that isn't true at all. You only need to look at this amazing list of people who fully embraced life after 50.
Infact whereas my 40 list has been filled largely with experiences I want to have, career goals and countries to visit...I fully intend to fill my 50 list with learning.
I want to spend time opening myself up to new pursuits and skills, expanding my mind and interests, and seeing what "else" is out there. I've spent my entire life knowing what I like and sticking to it....but who knows what else is out there?
I'm so looking forward to finishing working my way through this list...I hope to be able to cross off another 10 things in 2019, I'm aiming to finally get my driving license, plan a visit to Ireland, and try to join an amateur dramatics group at least!
Have you ever written a birthday bucket list? What would you put on yours?
Here's how my list looks right now for anyone who wants to have a look!
I acheived this not by weight loss but by completely changing my mind set around my body, after embracing body positivity
I went with Jon to see this last year, I've never laughed so much in my life - hilarious show!
4) Watch "Wicked" in the West End
We've been to the Halloween season twice now...and been back to Disneyland Paris on 6 other occasions too. It's crazy to think that when I wrote this list, I was too controlled by my anxiety disorder to consider visiting Disneyland Paris at all - I'm so pleased I overcame it as Disneyland Paris has become our family happy place!
6) Visit New York City
I've been on twice with the boys and once on a girly holiday with my sister since writing the list
8) Go On A Disney Cruise
We managed to visit two cities in Italy during our med cruise -Rome and Florence - I ate pasta in both and it was amazing!
10) Learn to drive
11) Go to Ireland
12) Get married and have my dream wedding
13) Have a fourth child
14) Buy our own home
15) Get a small tattoo
I was asked to write an article for Essentials magazine, it was the first thing I'd written myself that was published and It felt like an actual dream come true!
17) Move even closer to the sea
With the help of my amazing followers, I managed to achieve that last month when I won the coveted Readers Choice Award in the Britmums Brilliance In Blogging Awards!
19) Do a degree or qualification in writing/journalism or possibly teaching
20) Get veneers
21) See Madonna in concert
22) Learn to play Piano
23) Own a pet and learn to love it (I'm so not an animal person but I want to change that!)
24) Swim with or touch a dolphin
25) Cuddle (or at least stroke) a monkey
26) Eat at a Michelin starred restaurant
27) Have a whole night away on my own somewhere (Spa or retreat maybe?!)
I visited London for a few days last year with Jon & Tyne, and did the palace tour...it was AMAZING. I cried!
29) Join an amateur dramatics group/be in a play
30) Be a bloggers keynote speaker at an event
31) Try past life regression
32) Take a cookery class
I did an online course last year which has been a good help, although I would still like to an "in person" hands on course too
I worked with a brand last year who gave me the chance to have my blood line traced, and I was really intrigued by the results. I also managed to trace back around 7 generations on my Fathers family line using Ancestry.com which was really good fun and very interesting. I'd love to find out more about my Mums side of the family.
34) Write a book
Since writing this list, I've dyed my hair unicorn colours, baby pink and lilac at various times. I plan to go hot pink next!
36) Do a make up and/or hairdressing course
I managed to overcome my lifelong fear of flying after taking a course with Easyjet last year...I'm amazed that I managed to conquer what was my biggest fear of all!
After over a year of weekly therapy sessions, I made huge progress on this and was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. I will always suffer somewhat but I feel that things have become much more manageable.
39) Go to Lapland with the kids
40) Have a big party to celebrate my 40th!!
So I guess it's 14 down, 26 to go!
Wish me luck!
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