40 Before 40

I have set myself a challenge of achieving 40 things before I turn 40 in order to ensure (hopefully) that I spend the next 5 years achieving something positive. Some of the items on the list I have been struggling with for a while or putting off. I’m hoping a deadline of 5 years will give me the motivation to achieve them! I will be blogging about my experiences as I am sure that it will not all be smooth sailing.

Here is the full list:

1. Pass C2 Goethe German exam – 75% completed
2. Visit 40 countries in Europe – visited 34 out of 40
3. Go paragliding – completed on 25.08.2019
4. Enter a photography competition – completed on 16.01.2018
5. Write my will and plan my funeral
6. (Re)Learn the flute
7. Go alcohol-free for a year
8. Watch every movie on iMDB Top 250 Films list – watched 172 out of 250
9. Write a novel (at least 50,000 words)
10. Beat at least one of my running PBs for 10k, 10 miles, half marathon or marathon – half done I managed to beat my 10 mile time during a half marathon race but I can do better
11. Read the Bible cover to cover
12. Go to the Opera – completed on 04.07.2018
13. See the Northern Lights
14. Go vegan for 3 months – completed on 15.07.2018
15. Have something that I have written published – completed on 07.09.2019
16. Save money for a rainy day
17. Write a diary for a year – completed on 31.12.2018
18. Take a Hot Air Balloon ride
19. Take part in an Ultra race
20. Throw a birthday party for myself – completed on 08.09.2018
21. Watch a series of 24 in 24 hours – completed on 25.11.2017
22. Learn how to wolf whistle
23. Try snowboarding
24. Take an overnight sleeper train
25. Cook every recipe from one cookbook – completed on 19.01.2019
26. Learn how to fold 40 origami designs – made 25 out of 40
27. Read 40 novels in German – read 10 out of 40
28. Take a wine degustation course  –completed on 10.12.2019
29. Read The 40 Books Every Woman Should Read – completed on 27.06.2019
30. Solve a Rubik cube – completed on 31.12.2019
31. Take up a new sport – completed on 23.06.2019
32. Catch, cook and eat a fish
33. Make an item of clothing to wear
34. Stop biting my nails – completed on 22.11.2019
35. Read 40 non-fiction books –  read 25 out of 40
36. Fly long-haul business class
37. Have a haircut at least 4 times a year – in progress
38. Be able to touch my toes
39. Downsize – get rid of anything I don’t need or want by selling, giving away or donating – completed on 23.05.2019
40. Start and maintain my own travel website Changed to: Make a piece of art

Time for the challenge to begin. #40Before40

Updated 02.01.2020 – 15 out of 40 challenges completed