40 by 40

I’ve been vacillating between whether or not to create another 101 things in 1001 days since completing my first one in December. Instead, though, I’ve decided to incorporate a big upcoming milestone birthday and focus on 40 items to complete by 40 — which just happens to be 937 days from today.

In creating my list, I browsed the items on my 101 list that I didn’t complete, reviewed my “someday list” and also, because I was curious, researched a bit on what others have on similar lists. What I found is that 1) skinnydipping is on EVERY list (why is that?)  and, 2) I’ve actually completed many of the items others have listed, a realization that brings forth so much gratitude for the life I’ve lived so far. With that being said, there’s still so much in life I’ve yet to experience and I’m going to do my best to knock out these 40 items by Sept. 25, 2020.

1. Visit 50 states (two remaining)
2. Travel to five new countries
3. Write a book
4. Get married
5. Read 100 books
6. Return to the nonprofit BOD world
7. Meet my 40-year retirement goals
8. See the Northern Lights
9. Dine at a three-star Michelin restaurant
10. Learn to stand up paddleboard
11. Write letters to the five people who have most impacted my life
12. Grow my own salad
13. Answer “50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind”
14. Expand my investment knowledge + take my chances on the stock market (beyond just ESPP)
15. Complete a physical challenge
16. Do something good (and big) for a stranger
17. Mentor
18. Eliminate plastic from my personal/beauty routine
19. Read all of the books I currently own — and then donate all but my favorites
20. Learn a new skill
21. Get to my goal weight
22. See one of the wonders of the world 
23. Visit Niagara Falls
24. Go whale watching
25. Give five “just because” presents
26. Build a snowman
27. Do one thing from my “someday list”
28. Meditate daily
29. Host a writing retreat
30. Get a promotion + take on a new career role
31. Present at a conference again
32. Learn how to better use my camera + post one photo monthly to blog
33. Take a class in something unique/weird
34. Read + complete The Artist’s Way
35. Plant peonies
36. Cross the equator
37. Leave a note inside a book for someone to find
38. Write a letter to myself to be opened at 50
39. Take two writing classes
40. Go somewhere amazing to celebrate my 40th birthday

Feature image courtesy of https://thedrewmoody.wordpress.com/the-40-list/.