50 things to do before you are 50

Fifty feels like a real landmark birthday, more so than any that precede it.  And so I wondered what might be on a 50 things to do before you are 50 list.  After all I have written a “50 things I have learned as I turn 50” post, so this the list of things I should have done rather than have done.  And maybe shouldn’t!

This isn’t my list, it is a list that was compiled a few years by researchers ahead of the release of a film on DVD, but it’s a pretty good representation of 50 things to do before you are 50.  Some easier said that done, definitely.  Some I can take or leave, such as “Get a degree” but alot of these I have found myself nodding along to.

So how many have you ticked off?

1. Stop worrying about money

2. Stop worrying about what other people think

3. Take two holidays a year

4. Enjoy little comforts in life

5. Experience different cultures

6. Work to live rather than live to work

7. Pay off all debts

8. Be true to yourself

9. Concentrate on what you have instead of what you don’t have

10.Use money on experiences rather than saving for a rainy day

11. Make time for family and friends

12. Try all types of food

13. Find true love

14. Travel to at least 25 different foreign countries

15. Go outside more

16. Learn a new language

17. Be well thought of by family and friends

18. Help a member of your family out when they really need it

19. Lose a stone in weight

20. Treat each day like it’s your last

21. Visit all of Britain’s historical landmarks

22. Book an impulsive last minute holiday

23. Volunteer for a good cause

24. Take up a challenge

25. Go on safari

26. Blow a load of money in one shopping trip, just because you can

27. Learn a new instrument

28. Be married for longer than 20 years

29. Have enough money left for the grandchildren to enjoy

30. Start a family

31. Earn more than your age

32. Have a pet

33. Drive a really fast car

34. Travel alone

35. Be able to keep the kids on the straight and narrow

36. Meet strangers

37. Move away from home to an unfamiliar place

38. Have a one night stand

39. Pass your driving test

40. Get a degree

41. Rescue someone so that you’re a hero for a little while

42. Date someone exciting but completely wrong for you

43. Get a promotion

44. Reach the desired career peak by age 40

45. Have an all-night drinking session

46. Perform something on stage in front of others

47. Snog a stranger

48. Plan a surprise party

49. Embark on adrenaline packed activities such as sky diving or bungee jumping

50. Spend time with children even if they aren’t yours

Now if you will excuse me, I am off to Google “holidays in Africa” so I can tick off number 25

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  • I’ve done 23 of them, and we are the same age more or less (I’m 43) – younger people will doubtless have done far less of them, and there are some I have no interest in doing in the first place, lol ;o)

  • Wow! That’s an epic list! I will probably never stop worrying about money, but I’m halfway to the rest of them. Best crack on quick with the rest 😉

  • Good list. Birthday week for me too, although since I am now officially closer to 50 than 40, I might struggle to fit ’em all in,

  • I am quite pleased because I have done 27 of them but I intend getting them all done before I hit 50 so 3 more years to go 🙂