40 before 40

40 before 40: So I’ve not given myself much time to get through this list of things as I turn forty in a little under eighteen months. Wow, that is a little scary. Not that I am actually that worried about turning forty. I am definitely in a much better place than I was when I turned thirty. I know myself so much better and have a much better idea of what I want from life. More secure in my own skin.

However, this does mean that to make sure my 40 before 40 list is attainable some of the things on it may sound a little boring. As I want to get them all done in the next year before my 40th birthday. Really the best way to do this is to give yourself a good couple of years to complete the goals list. I wish I had done this.

My bucket list is definitely not full of wonderful travel destinations or life-changing events. Such as a particular road trip, hot air balloon ride, a visit to New York, a helicopter ride a special cruise or a boat trip. Although I am seriously considering putting together a list of fifty places I want to visit. Notice how 50 before 50 is a little too much to think about at the moment.

Instead, I have tried to make sure the focus of my 40 before 40 list is all about me! Something which doesn’t happen very much since the boys has come along. I am sure I am not alone and many mothers are the same. It may also be a great way for me to try out new things and make some new life goals. After all 40 is definitely one of those milestone birthdays. I have to face that I am not getting any younger either and need to take better care of myself. In more ways than one. My list also involves doing things with various family members. So why not grab a bottle of wine and have a read, and perhaps put your own wish list together for your 40th year.

40 before 40

1. Buy a new house – this is likely to be our last move until we decide to downsize and it feels like the right time. Although I must be mad to think about taking on a big mortgage.
2. Find my style and declutter my wardrobe. It is full of things that I no longer wear or even like.
3. Lose the extra baby weight (aka drop two dress sizes). This could be a bit of a pipe dream. But everyone needs a goal.
4. Launch a product and set up my own company- something that has been on the back burner now for at least the last year. I really think it could do well but as ever it is finding the time to do these things.
5. Go away 18 times – I know that sounds like a lot but we try to go away once a month, it could only be for one night or a short break. It’s something that we started in 2017 when I returned to work from mat leave. – Our 12 Getaways in 2017. I have a few favourite places I would like to revisit.
6. Spend the night on a train in a sleeper carriage. I have always wanted to do this, there is something romantic about going to sleep in one place and waking up in a different one.
7. Watch a sunrise – preferably in a foreign country.
8. Go to a concert with close friends- this is a little bit of a cheat as we have already booked Ed Shearer. Which I am really looking forward to. I can not remember the last time I went to a concert.
9. Go to a festival with the kids and camp. There is something about long sunny days, listening to live music the smell of Summer heat in the air and a glass of cider in hand. Both the boys really enjoy live music, so I think they would enjoy this too.
10. Have more massages – I have been meaning to book in regularly for a while yet I have never got round to doing it.
11. Go on a spa day with girlfriends, somewhere luxurious that we wouldn’t normally visit. I may even get treatment.
12. Start taking a supplement regularly. Again something I have been meaning to do for a while. One needs to look after oneself as one gets older.
13. But a new designer handbag and not feel guilty!
14. Buy a new pair of Christian Laboutins and not feel guilty!
15. Live by my new mantra – ‘ See believed she could so she did ‘ Take more risks and challenges. Especially when it comes to my career. Now is the time to make something of it.
16. Stick to my skincare regime every night regardless of how knackered I feel. Let’s face it my skin is not getting any younger and needs all the help it can get. Having a skincare regime should help that.
17. Increase my number of steps and buy a cross-trainer something I have been meaning to do for a long time. I want to work on improving my general level of fitness and stop some bad habit.
18. Find a mentor or a life coach to help me work out what I want to do with my career.
19. Become a mentor – another personal goal of mine. Help those coming into my industry achieve whatever goals they have.
20. Join a ladies networking group either through work or outside of it. I think this will help to give me a new perspective on the challenges we all face.
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Twenty more…

1. Be in photos more with the boys and Hubby – I am bad for being the one behind the camera. And have noticed that the boys often request photos or selfies of us. And I want them to look back and see me in the pictures as well.
2. Have more of social life and go on date nights again even if it’s just once a month, as it’s something that has slipped since having Harry.
3. Try skiing for the first time. This is something I never tried as a child and have always fancied giving it ago. Whether it is on a dry ski slope in the UK or somewhere full of real snow I am not sure.
4. Do an indoor skydive. Probably a little less nerve-wracking than jumping out of a plane.
5. Have cocktails at the Sky Bar in London. Despite working in London on and off for a number of years I have never managed to get to the Sky garden. Something I need to change.
6. Eat-in a Michelin starred restaurant. We actually have one very close to us so I really don’t have an excuse with this one.
7. Put my skill set to good use and help a charity. We do have some close ties with charities at work that are always looking for help.
8. Become a parent governor – okay so a slight cheat as I am already one of these but it’s something I have wanted to do for a while.
9. Eat-in the pitch black at a restaurant in London – the name escapes me. I know this may not be everyone’s idea of fun but I have heard some great things. So really want to give this a go.
10. Take Hubby to the top of the Gherkin. I have worked in the Gherkin for a number of years but have never taken him. I know he would like to visit so really should do this before I leave work.
11. Get my DNA analysed – I would love to know more about my genealogy. I think there could be quite a lot of Celtic blood in me which would account for the green eyes and freckles. Although I have no proof, so it would be good to find some.
12. Go for afternoon tea with the girls – a fancy one! There are so many to choose from now, I think I would like to try a themed version. Or maybe somewhere like The Ritz.
13. Do Go Ape (I hate heights). Yet I think doing this will help push me out of my comfort zone and make me look fear in the face. I suspect when I am actually up the trees though I may regret that decision.
14. Get my colours analysed – which will help with the new wardrobe. I had this done once before when I was a lot younger. But it was done via a night class. I would like to find someone to do it on a one on one basis.
15. Go to an Italian cooking school for a day. We love Italy and I would like to learn to cook pasta so that I can recreate some of our favourite dishes at home.
16. Send a message in a bottle. I have wanted to do this for the longest time. I am not sure what I would write but I would like to include an email address so that whoever finds it can tell me where!
17. Take my mum away for the weekend. Ideally in Europe, possibly the flower fields in The Netherlands. Since we have visited various flower shows together over the years.
18. See the Northern Lights. I am away in January to Inverness and really hoping this happens then, if it doesn’t then I may not manage this one before I turn 40. Although may plan a trip to Lapland instead which sounds like. a great idea to me.
19. Go to a ballet. I would quite like to see the Nutcracker.
20. Go to a drive-in – ideally something girlie like Dirty Dancing or Grease, I think this will be so much fun.
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What’s on your 40 before 40 list?

I am also hoping that I will be able to get away with my best friend for a mini-break. As well as going away with the husband. As we celebrated my 30th by going to Las Vegas so there has been a precedent set! There is nothing wrong with having a celebration that lasts for most of the year.

If you are thinking of writing your own bucket list for your 40th year. And would like some more inspiration then check out the links below to some other 40 before 40 blog posts:

Karen – Fuelled by Latte

Chloe – Picture Taker Memory Maker

Hannah – The Lifestyle Blog

Debbie – An Organised Mess

Donna – What the Redhead Said

I would love to know what would be on your list, please let me know in the comments below.

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