Entering my 40s made me stop and think about what I want this next decade of my life to look like. If things go well and I live to my life expectancy of 80 or so years, that’s another 40 years of living! I could also die tomorrow! I decided that one of the things I want my 40s to be the start of is actively cultivating and prioritizing creativity, and so I decided to make a list of 40 things I want to do by the time I’m 40.

It’s probably no secret to anyone who knows me, I have a deep fear of living a boring life. Of not attempting to try things that scare me or excite me. Of reaching the end of life and wishing I was braver. Of wishing I did more.

Be assured that my 40 by 40 list is very much the manifestation of this fear! 

This list is a mix of things I’ve always wanted to do and things that people I’m fortunate to have in my life have suggested I attempt. I wanted the list to be achievable because I’m not trying to go broke, risk death or completely defeat myself.

My hope is that it gives me joy, strengthens friendships (because I am 100% roping you in with me, if you put something on this list), and inspires other people to make their own silly lists.

40 things to do by the time I turn 40


a to-do list

40 by 40

  1. Learn to juggle
  2. Do the splits
  3. Do a handstand
  4. Go snorkeling
  5. Climb a tree
  6. Hike to a hot spring
  7. Run a 5K race run
  8. Bicycle to the local cidery
  9. Visit 40 places I’ve never been before, big or small
  10. A photo a day between 39 and 40
  11. Paint a picture
  12. Crochet 40 different granny squares
  13. Bake a Bake Off cake
  14. Cook over a fire
  15. Learn a dance
  16. Go horseback riding
  17. Start a fire without a match
  18. Learn to roller skate
  19. Go fruit picking
  20. Make my own cheese
  21. Learn 40 words in Cantonese
  22. Do a stand-up comedy open mic set
  23. Learn a magic trick
  24. Go ziplining
  25. Catch a fish
  26. Learn ‘My name is Tara’ in ASL
  27. Learn natural dyeing for clothes
  28. Hike to the top of a mountain
  29. Go skydiving
  30. Make butter
  31. Learn some yo-yo tricks
  32. Shave my head
  33. Go on a helicopter ride
  34. Do a pullup
  35. Float down a river in a tube
  36. Make a baked Alaska
  37. Go surfing
  38. Learn the constellations
  39. Learn to DJ
  40. Have a virtual cook along

There you have it! And, sure, I may not complete the list in time, but I’m going to try my best!