H.M. Stoner Ink And Image

Bucket lists are quiet popular these days, but I’m not ready to jump on the train of talking about things I want to do before I die. Let’s be honest, making a bucket list only gives you more time to put off the things you should be doing to enjoy life. So sitting here at the young age of 34, I have decided to create a list of 40 things to do before turning 40. I want to include everyday things, as well as major life experiences. Give me feedback and let me know what of these you have done.

1.) Swim in the Ocean – It sounds simple enough, but not everyone lives on the coast. To often those of us that do, take it for granted. So do it! Swim in the ocean, don’t sit on the sidelines while your kids, or friends enjoy the feel of being knocked down by waves. Jump in! And don’t regret it! CHECK ✔️

2.) Ride a roller coaster- Weather you are a thrill seeker or not there is NOTHING like the feeling of riding a roller coaster. CHECK ✔️

3.) Try a new food- Try something you never have before, sushi, pigs feet, some exotic food you have only read about. Is there a food that you have always wanted to try? Or better yet, one you hear people talk about but have just never tried it yourself? Try it!

4.) Go sky diving- need I say more?! DO IT

5.) Surprise your love with some afternoon delight- If you don’t know what I mean by this, then you are probably to young to be starting on a list like this. CHECK ✔️

6.) Binge watch 24- There are so many great shows out there, so why pick 24?! Because it’s a thrill ride from your couch! CHECK ✔️

7.) Go to a rock concert- in fact go to many, go to them all. CHECK ✔️

8.) Spend $100 on something you don’t need, but want, just because. – we spend our lives saving for the things we need, and spending all our money on necessities. So just once, or maybe twice, take $100 of your hard earned cash and spend it on something you want to buy just because. CHECK ✔️

9.) Go to Disney World- When I added this to the list initially, I had never been. It seemed like, just one of those things you add because everyone puts it on their list. I am telling you though, GO TO DISNEY WORLD! It’s an experience you don’t want to miss out on. There is truly nothing like it! CHECK ✔️

10.) Change a tire- Everyone should take the time to learn how to change a tire. Male, female, young, old. It doesn’t matter who you are, take the time and learn how to change a tire! CHECK ✔️

11.) Take a vacation overseas- Everyone should know what its like to wait on a passport, and travel outside of their comfort zones at least one time in their life.

12.) Host a party- Sounds simple enough, but hosting a party can be quite the daunting task. When you host, you have to do it right though… lots of food, friends, and activities for all. CHECK ✔️

13.) Give back to the community- You can find so many ways to give back to your community, and many will opt for the easy way of just giving money. If you want a truly one of a kind experience though, give your time. Volunteer at a food bank, help with habitat for humanity, coach a local youth sports team. CHECK ✔️

14.) Attended a murder mystery dinner- When we become adults, so often we loose the ability to “play”. Not because we don’t want to, but more times then not its because society tells us where to old. Attending a murder mystery dinner is quite literally a bunch of adults playing pretend!

15.) Go camping- And I don’t mean, rent an RV and go hook up at a fully tricked out camp site. I mean, CAMPING… In a tent… one the ground… You might love it, you might hate it, but at least you will be able to say you tried it. CHECK ✔️

16.) Ride a four wheeler- no explanation needed. CHECK ✔️

17.) See a Vegas Show- Would any “Things to do” list be complete without a Vegas show?! Certainly not any American list.

18.) Throw a suprise party for someone- wether they love or hate surprises, taking the time to plan, and keep the surprise hidden can be fun in of itself. CHECK ✔️

19.) Plan a romantic evening with your love for under $50- you don’t always have to spend an entire days earnings in order to have a romantic evening. Set a limit and stick to it. Think outside the box, and you may find that you have the greatest evening.

20.) Sing kereoke- regardless of your singing ability, singing to an old hit, while making a complete fool of yourself is definitely something everyone should do before 40… because lets be honest… after 40… people start thinking your doing it to live out some un fulfilled dream of being a star.

21.) Run in a 8k- because EVERYONE does 5ks! If you want to be able to one up Sally at the next office party this is a sure fire way to do it;) CHECK ✔️

22.) Bike in the DC bike ride (20 miles )- after you one up Sally with your story about the time you ran in an 8k, you might need another fall back story if she happened to do that 1/2 marathon. So get you a bicycle and get to peddling. CHECK ✔️

23.) See the northern lights- I haven’t experienced them in person, but the photos alone suggest that it would be an unforgettable site.

24.) Go to the Biltmore estates- located in Asheville, NC The Biltmore Estates is the largest castle in the United States with a whopping 250 rooms. CHECK ✔️

25.) Visit Jamestown settlements- wether you are a history buff or not makes no difference, visiting Jamestown and getting a peek inside what life was like when our ancestors first jumped the pond is something everyone should experience at least once in their life. CHECK ✔️

26.) Learn how to play chess

27.) Learn how to use chopsticks

28.) Pay it forward, twice

29.) Be in someone else’s wedding

30.) Stand under a waterfall

31.) Snowboard

32.) Capture lightning in a photo

33.) Horse drawn sleigh ride

34.) Have a picnic in the park

35.) Go water tubing

36.) Build a snowman

37.) Take underwater pictures

38.) Climb a rock wall

39.) Donate blood

40.) Buy a homlesss person a meal

Watch a movie outdoors

Escaped room