I've noticed a massive difference between the leadups to my thirtieth and fortieth birthdays. Thirty felt like the end of my freaking life. Forty feels like the start.
I have a theory. (It could be bunnies.) It has to do with how fucking awful my childhood was and how, the further away from that and the more I get to experience life on my terms, the more I enjoy it.
Or maybe I'm just on better medication now? 🤣
Whichever, I'm approaching 40 with a determination to have fun and make memories, rather than tick off boxes. There's so much pressure out there to do this and have that before you reach a certain age and OMFG screw that. No wonder we all have freaking Anxiety!
I just want to enjoy the next decade! (Goddess knows how long this dumpster fire of a planet has left...)
That being said, I've made a list of things I'd like to do - if I get the chance - in my forties. I made a similar list for my thirties and it did not go well. Probably because I encountered serious physical and mental health conditions that kick the shit out of me for a very long time.
(I haven't beaten them, by any means, but we're on a first name basis now so I know what I need to do to bring them along on field trips. Spoonie life, y'all.)
Bucket List: 40 Things to do in my 40s
1. Visit a Disney Park
2. See my novel in print
3. Watch every Disney (animated) movie ever made
4. Build a witch’s apothecary
5. Play with an octopus
6. Go whale watching
7. Ride in a hot air balloon
8. Take an art class
9. Take a cooking class
10. (Finally) get my British citizenship
11. Go to Eurovision
12. See Hamilton on stage
13. See Les Misérables on stage
14. Swim in crystal clear water
15. Do an animal zoo experience
16. Start a family cookbook
17. Learn a card trick/magic trick
18. Learn to juggle
19. Try archery
20. Go ice skating
21. Learn to make a flower crown
22. Do a wine tasting
23. Eat at Nando’s
24. Try blowing glass
25. Go on a sausage walk
26. Try Ecstasy
27. Try magic mushrooms
28. Go to Oktoberfest
29. Go to a RHS flower show
30. Drink in an ice bar
31. Learn Braille/sign language
32. Get a Twenty One Pilots tattoo
33. Get my dogs’ pawprints tattooed
34. Learn another language (more than a few nursery songs, lol)
35. Make a quilt
36. Watch Wales women play (rugby/football)
37. Try axe throwing
38. Go on sausage-friendly vacation
39. Ride in a helicopter
40. Go on a cruise
