So this year I hit 40! The “Fabulous 40s,” I’ve heard some say! And they’re right, but only if we choose for these years to be fabulous. Living life with intention requires clarity, if you don’t live your days by goals and plans, chances are that you spend most of your time sleep walking through life reacting to events, engaged in mindless activities that are being shaped by others.
Have you ever felt that your days are passing you by without the meaning and depth you desire? What did you accomplish in the past month? What are your goals for the next two months? Look at the things that you have been doing and the things that you’re planning to do next — do they mean anything to you if you are to die today? Having a life list reminds you of what’s really important to you so that you can act on them.
I think milestone birthdays are a perfect moment to pause and reflect and ask “am I living a life true to me?”. Well, it’s different for every woman, but one way to “get started living” is to create a LIFE LIST to spur you into action from here on out.
Similar to a bucket list a LIFE list is a list of all the goals you want to achieve, dreams you want to fulfil, and life experiences you wish to try during this lifetime. It’s a list to identify everything you’ve ever wanted to do, whether it’s big or small, purposeful or random. The whole point of creating a list is to maximize every moment of our existence and live our life to the fullest. It’s a reminder of all the things we want to achieve in our time on Earth so that instead of spending our time on pointless things, we direct it toward things that matter to us.
Create Your Life List
Now, take out your pen and paper or open up a text document. Start writing down what comes to mind as you read these questions:
- What if you were to die tomorrow? What would you wish you could do before you die?
- What would you do if you had unlimited time, money and resources?
- What have you always wanted to do but have not done yet?
- Any countries, places or locations you want to visit?
- What are your biggest goals and dreams?
- What do you want to see in person?
- What achievements do you want to have?
- What experiences do you want to have/feel?
- Any special moments you want to witness?
- What activities or skills do you want to learn or try out?
- What are the most important things you can ever do?
- What would you like to say/do together with other people? People you love? Family? Friends?
- Any specific individuals (celebrities, famous people, world leaders) you want to meet in person?
- What do you need to do to live a life of greatest meaning as defined by you?
Come up with as many items as you can. The items should be things you have not done yet. Don’t stop until you have at least 40 things! If you find yourself stuck, chances are you are mentally limiting yourself. Release those shackles — your list is meant to be everything you want to achieve, do, see, feel and experience in your life.
“At the end of the day, let there be no excuses, no explanations, no regrets.”
Steve Maraboli
I feel hugely blessed to have experienced so many phenomenal life events: getting married, being a mum, visited 5 continents, snorkelled in the Great Barrier Reef, sky dived, completed the London Marathon, been involved in charity work and making a difference to the lives of others…but there are still some things left to experience. Here are some of mine to help get your creative juices going:
- Go to Antartica and South America. These are the 2 last contents I want to experience, Antartica for its stillness and South America for the vibrancy of culture and vitality of life.
- Go on Safari in Tanzania An African Safari has been at the top of my bucket list forever. I imagine there’s nothing much more humbling in life than seeing elephants, giraffes and hippos, happy in their own environment. Time to make this dream a reality!
- Climb Mt Kilimanjaro. I was a bit nervous about writing this one down. But I’ve always been in awe of people who can conquer a mountain. I want to be that person. And as Africa’s highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro seems a good place to start.
- Learn How to Dive It’s so enthralling seeing dolphins, whales, seals, or pretty much any marine mammal, in the wild. Getting out on the water is something I try to do in every country I visit (where practical) and I’d love to get a different perspective. I have tried snorkelling but would love to dive and bonus points if I can get PADI certified in the Maldives, or somewhere equally as exotic!
- See the Northern Lights. A natural phenomenon, the northern lights is a magnificent sight to behold, which is why people from all around the world travel great distances just for a chance to witness this phenomenon. I have Iceland on the list to go to see them!
- Go Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia This was going to just be “go hot air ballooning”. But if you’re going to do something, why not do it in the most epic way possible? Gliding above the mystical landscape of Cappadocia in a hot air balloon sounds magical.
- Do a Road Trip Through Canada. I have family in Canada and the country left a huge impression on me. If I go back, I want to do it properly and spend a month or two road-tripping our way through Canada.
- Hike Table Mountain. You can take the cable car up Table Mountain in South Africa, but I’d bet the views are that much more enjoyable after a strenuous hike!
- Visit Giraffe Manor in Kenya. Nestled within an indigenous forest in Nairobi, lies one of Kenya’s most iconic tourist destinations. It’s highly likely that at some point you’ve seen a photograph of an enthralled traveler enjoying breakfast while a giraffe pokes its long neck through the window in search of a treat. It looks incredible!
- See the Grand Canyon. It’s just one of those iconic places that have to be seen to be believed right? The otherworldly landscape of the Grand Canyon fascinates me.
- Exploring the Amazon Rainforest. This untouched part of the globe offers unique opportunities for site-seeing and exploration that you won’t get anywhere else. When you visit this lush tropical part of South America, you’ll be stepping into a completely new world—one that holds value and significance for the entire planet.
- Experience the Ancient City of Petra. Designated as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, this meticulously preserved remnant of ancient civilization is a breathtaking expanse of towering rock walls and intricate architecture.
- Publish A Book. I have all the ideas, I know how it would look and read…just need to get on with it!
- Visit an elephant sanctuary. This website has a list of ethical sanctuaries where elephants can be visited and seen to in a moral way. I believe these majestic creatures deserve to be treated with respect, love and kindness.
- Go to The Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China is one of the greatest sights in the world — the longest wall in the world, an awe-inspiring feat of ancient defensive architecture. Its winding path over rugged country and steep mountains takes in some great scenery.
- Blossom season in Japan. In Japan, there is a tradition of flower viewing (known as “hanami” in Japanese), where people enjoy the transient beauty of flowers, usually cherry blossoms (known as “sakura” in Japanese). The custom is said to have started during the Nara Period (710—794); at that time it was plum blossoms that people admired. By the Heian Period (794—1185), sakura became the flora of interest and hanami became synonymous with sakura.
- Finish building our dream house. We are getting there! It’s a labour of love, sweat & tears coming together.
- Spa weekend hotel stay with my cousin sister. We have 5 kids, 2 husbands and countless responsibilities between us this will be a welcome treat!
- Complete a PHD. There are lots of good reasons to do a PhD, I am naturally academic and want to make an original contribution towards my discipline, I have a passion for research and a desire to accomplish something big in the academic world.
- Learn a martial art. I have dabbled with Martial arts on and off but never committed fully – I would love to! Martial arts is a complete workout. You build stamina, strength, and flexibility. You also develop coordination and balance. You feel better physically as your body becomes stronger and more capable.
- Live in a different country for at least 3 months. Although I have visited many incredible countries I have not had the chance to live in another country as an adult (we once went to India for an extended stay when I was 14 and stayed for 12 weeks!) but I would love to stay somewhere like Bali, Thailand for 3 months with my children.
- Go on a silent meditation retreat. The world is a noisy place. There’s literal noise—talking, TV, traffic. And then there are the other forms of noise that fill our daily lives with distraction, like social media, to-do lists, and nagging thoughts. Silent retreats aim to quiet all this noise, and in turn, allow you to reset, recharge, and channel your attention inward.
- Take a helicopter flight. Helicopter flights give passengers unparalleled views of the country, all whilst experiencing the amazing thrill of the aircraft soaring through the sky. I would love to try it!
- Visit Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and feel the carnival vibes. How incredible do the images look?! I want to be there.
- Zip line on the longest line in the world. Zip Line Penrhyn Slate Quarry, located near Bethesda in North Wales, is home to Zip World Velocity 2, the fastest zip line in the world and the longest in Europe. It looks incredible!
- Set a Guinness world record. I have always loved getting the Guinness World Record journal and reading through the achievements of others – how cool would it be to set something in there?!
- Stay at the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden. How incredible does this look?! I love experiences that are different to the norm.
- Dive in a Cage With Great Whites. My spirit craves adventure and adrenaline! This fills me with excitement and fear to see these incredible creatures up close.
- Do a Firewalk. Firewalking is the practice of walking barefoot across a bed of burning coals without getting burned. It’s a powerful tool designed to help transform fear and to inspire people to do things they initially didn’t think were possible.
- Host a retreat overseas. I have always wanted to attend an overseas retreat but the though of hosting one fills me with an additional sense of purpose.
- Go Indoor Skydiving. Having done a tandem skydive which was brilliant I would love to try this indoor option.
- Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. A secret city, never found, perched in the mountains, swirled by mists and mysteries – it’s the stuff of travel legend.
- Learn to ride a moped. A motorbike is too scary for me this feels safer but also fun.
- Fly a plane. I’d like to take one lesson and then see if it’s for me before committing to more!
- Go to Necker Island. I wouldn’t mind hanging out on Richard Branson’s private island
- Explore The Salt Flats, Bolivia. A prehistoric lake that went dry, the area still undergoes modern salt extraction processes. a vast dreamlike landscape, with shimmering white plains stretching out to the horizon.
- Complete an around the world 90 day cruise. Having done a mediterranean cruise 5 years ago I love the notion of travelling the world on a luxury liner and taking in all the countries and sights without having to unpack.
- Do the real Crystal Maze! That hit 90’s show is an actual real life experience you can complete. Sign me up already!
- Do an adult obstacle course. I’m not athletic but live to challenge myself and do things that are fun. I used to love the BBC series Total Wipeout and thought I would love that!
- Have Dinner in the Sky which is a Belgian based novelty restaurant service which uses a crane to hoist its diners, table, and waiting staff 150 feet into the air.
What’s on your list? Do any of these appeal to you? If so let me know!
1 thought on “40 Life List Ideas: Inspiration for Women Who Want to Embrace Life”
Love the list penji. For the overseas retreat idea- Can you please host a retreat in Australia. Pretty please with sugar on top. While you are here you can do diving too.