If you’ve been a reader here for long, you know I have a thing with bucket lists. Writing down things I want to do makes me more excited to accomplish them and creates some accountability to check them off. My seasonal bucket lists have become a part of our family traditions, and while we are really good about not getting bent out of shape if we don’t get everything checked off (they’re for fun, not pressure), we really do end up attempting a lot more fun things we might not have remembered to do had we not written them down. I turn 40 at the end of the year, and naturally have created a personal bucket list of things I want to get done or try with the turn of this new decade. I thought I’d share a few of them here today. I have more family and mom-related ones, but these are just for me.
- Get a full physical, mammogram, blood work, pap smear–and then schedule next year’s appointments. I’ve worked really hard these past two years to make health a priority–to be more conscious of what I ingest and to consistently challenge my body physically to stay in shape. I’m due for some doctor appointments though, and I want to hit 40 with the peace of mind that my health is in tip-top shape.
- Teeth cleaning I’m the WORST with dentist appointments. I hate them. Mainly because it feels like every time I’ve ever gone in for a cleaning, they tell me I have a cavity.
- Run a Half Marathon (scheduled for April). I don’t think I’m one of those people who’s going to love it and want to sign up for another one when I’m done. I like working out, not running. But I want to train for something, and I want to follow through on something that’s hard.
- Signature scent–Get rid of perfumes I don’t really love but look pretty on my tray, and own that signature scent. I did this last week–passed along those “place holder” perfumes that aren’t my favorite but kept because they filled space and were something to spray in the morning. And I bought my favorite scent, Le Labo Santal 33. I am bewitched by this scent (one of the only scents I can smell on myself all day), but always end up settling for cheaper fill-ins. I do have one other not-so-pricey scent I use that I keep in my purse–Auric Blends Love Oil to help space out when I splurge on Le Labo. But if feels good to have it narrowed down to two. We tease my cousin because she has long proclaimed her love for the morbid idea that when she dies, her kids will forever smell the one perfume she’s worn for years and remember her, and I’m not going to lie–I like the idea. But that brings me to a whole other question….do you wear your perfume because it’s your favorite scent or because it’s your husband’s favorite? Brett “approved” Le Labo (in Brett terminology, this looks like: (sniff) “Yeah. It’s nice.“), but I wear it mainly because I feel like it represents my personality (can a perfume do that?). We are getting way off track here–back to the bucket list.
- Hire a house cleaner. I haven’t had someone professionally clean my house in probably over 5 years, and the last time I did was a one-time deal. I always have a hard time justifying this because I see so many other areas where this money could go, but I think sanity and ease of living might be worth it.
- Launch an online course. This one is done now, but I included it because it was part of my Before-I-turn-40 goals. I’m on my fifth course now (Hello, Framed! Friends!) and loving it. I didn’t know how to launch an online course and knew it included things I wasn’t sure how to do, so it took finding people who are good at it and hiring them. An important lesson for 40 and beyond: Collaborate. Figure it out. Hire people. Don’t let not knowing how to do something or being intimidated by what it will involve keep you from pursuing it. Take the first step, and it will lead to the second one. Get ‘er done.
- Second book proposal. That baby you had that kept you busy is in kindergarten now. It’s time.
- No phone in the morning, no phone at night. I am working on this one now. Book-ending my day with no technology. First hour of the day is coffee and candle light and Chet Baker and reading and writing and breakfast and art and basically anything that doesn’t involve my phone. Same for last hour of the day. This is hard, especially the last hour of the day. I like to scroll and pop in and use the excuse of “I’m working.” But I’m committed to my goal, so I will get there.
- Junk the crappy undergarments. You’re almost 40. You earned the right to wear some decent bras and underwear. Dump every junky thread-bare, ill-fitting thing in your drawer and start from scratch if you have to. I have done my research, read all the Internet polls on best strapless, best t-shirt bra, best underwear, etc. and we are in the testing phase right now. I’ve ordered several different bras and underwear, and I promise to report back on the final selections. I feel like such a grown-up!
- Rent a classic convertible. It’s a silly one, but I have wanted to do this for a long time. Tie a scarf in my hair, slip on a big pair of sunglasses, blare the radio and cruise for half a day.
Anyone turning a new decade this year? Any bucket list items you’re excited to share? I’ve had so many friends tell me that the best thing about turning 40 is that all those years of caring what people think shift into a new mindset of freedom and owning who you are. Heidi calls it “Zerofucks 40.” I’m excited to embrace a new decade…there is so much more in store.
Happy Weekending!
Fun! I’ll be 40 next year and so far had only thought I want a party with my friends. But your list is giving me more ideas!
I love the idea of you writing a second book because I want to read it!
Thanks for inspiring me to love life!
One thought for a future post- I’d love to know how you balance the needs of teens and young kids in your family. We have a wide age range, too, and it is hard to find activities, movies, etc, that everyone likes! How do you have fun as a family with the older boys and your three younger kids? Anyway, just a topic I would love to hear from you about!
Turning 40 has been liberating! You truly do stop caring what other people think and start doing all the things you wish you would have done years ago!
#5 – worth EVERY penny. I don’t care if someone works in the home, outside of the home, not at all…. having cleaning help is such a good spend. I don’t want to spend precious weekend time mopping the floors! There is weekend fun to be had!
I just turned 40 yesterday and have a bucket list that looks surprisingly similar to yours…. including your signature scent! I even want to splurge on Le Labo’s laundry detergent so I can smell like Santal 33 all of the time. One bucket list item I have for my 40’s is to set myself up to buy my friend’s bookstore. She bought it when she was in her mid-40’s and is looking for a buyer in about 8 years…. I want to be that buyer. I want to surround myself with people I love, things I love and work I love – the bookstore is my dream!
Ahhh! A bookstore is in my dreams too. You’re my sister from another mister!
I turned 40 in August. I have never been one to care about ages and getting older, but 40 really terrified me. I don’t think of myself as being old enough to be 40. I spent a good portion of the first half of 2018 trying to figure out how to feel about this birthday and how I should spend the day. Other than those two things, I didn’t otherwise have a bucket list. Ultimately, I decided I didn’t want to have any big feelings about this age or a big celebration. I settled on being grateful I was alive and made it this far! And, I planned a nice peaceful day for my birthday that I spent with my husband, daughter, and mom. We went to an arboretum, ate out, and enjoyed the birthday cake that my mom made for me.
Oh, and I just thought of something- I have always taken good care of my skin, but this is the year I decided to STOP feeling guilty for spending money on quality skin care products. Also, I MAY just consider lightly botoxing between my eyebrows where my first 2 wrinkles have decided to show up. Prior to this, I never thought I would do this. But, now, I feel empowered to do whatever it is I want to help me feel great about myself. I am also pretty pleased to be in a spot financially that I can even consider these things.
My mom used to wear a perfume by Laura Ashley called L’Eau, which they stopped making in the late 90s. We spent a summer in Berlin in 1994 and the scent is inexorably linked. You can find L’Eau on ebay sometimes and she’ll occasionally buy it. When she wears it, it’s like I’m 12 again.
Next year is the big 40 for me!!
Scared, excited but it’s just a number! I feel like it’s time to live my life and get a move on!! Great bucket list.
I turn 35 on the 29th of December, and it feels like a HUGE number to me. I decided that THIS is my year. The year I’m going to “become”. There are so many things I want to become, but I too have a list. It’s past time to find me.
Here’s to goals and bucket lists!
I’ll be 41 in December. There was a definite shift when I turned 40. I really don’t care what people think anymore. It’s so liberating. I’ve also found that 40 was the best before date for my body (eyes, hearing, thinning hair, knees, feet, arthritis, difficulty losing those ten damn pounds that occasionally creep back) but I’m working hard at keeping it fit and healthy so it will be here for a long time, not giving a shit!
Thank you for being such an inspiration. Your book “Bloom” rocked my soul. Keep doing what you’re doing ❤
I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37. I turned 41 this past summer & I have never felt better in my life! I love 40+. Enjoy it & take every single birthday that you can get! <3
This is a great idea! I am turning 40 at the end of of the month so I think I will make myself a bucket list too.
I turn 40 next year too, thanks for the important reminder to be intentional about the lead up to this big milestone! I remember my mom being so upset about turning 40, but I feel exactly the opposite. I feel so much more comfortable in my skin at this age and like all of the hard work in my younger years is paying off. Wishing you an exciting year to come. Now I’m off to make my own list!
My grandmother wore Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamond perfume her whole life. As kids we would pretend to gag at the sent which she thought was hilarious. But after she would leave to go home and her scent was left in the room she stayed in, it was so comforting to fall asleep with the smell around you. Almost like she was always there hugging you. She died about 2 years ago and when I get a hint of that white diamond smell, I take it as a sign that she’s forever going to love me and I will always remember her. The scent is so powerful sometimes that it brings me happy tears right where ever I smell it. You would have liked her-her love for the holidays might have topped your love for them! So when I smelled the perfume scent in the holiday aisle in wal-mart, I may have cried ugly tears! But yet so much comfort and I did buy the thing that was starring at me when I smelled it, it was like she was talking me into it!!
I turn 40 in April and I’m looking forward to a new decade! Love your blog and loving being a part of Framed! Thanks for doing what you do and bringing light and happiness to so many. Happy birthday countdown 🙂
My husband and I did “40 days of fun” for our 40th to spread the fun across a whole year – Monaco for the Grand Prix, South of France to eat cheese and drink wine, England to catch up with family and friends, theatre trips, birthday bash with friends at the place we got married, beach picnics….
For my 40th my husband threw me a party – it was fun, but I really wanted to travel. We had small-ish kids at the time. For my 50th I decided I wanted to have a Girls Trip to the beach. We live in landlocked Atlanta. My kids were older (one in HS and one in college) so I felt more comfortable leaving them with my husband. I invited my 3 besties and rented a condo in Destin, FL. We had a blast! Walked on the beach everyday and just enjoyed visiting with no distractions. Usually, we are interrupted by life. I love the idea of a bucket list and my husband and I have one for places we want to visit. One of my besties is turning 50 this spring and we are renting a beach condo again! I can’t wait!
At 65 I decided it was time I owned a really decent bra – Victoria’s Secret came through for me,and it was buy 2, get 1 free, so I did. And I love them. Re house cleaner, during an episode of sciatica, I hired a one-woman house cleaner bi-weekly. With the kids grown, I reduce it to once monthly – it’s heavenly to know your house is thoroughly clean, you will love it!
Funny, I just booked my second colonoscopy appointment this morning. They’re really not as bad as people say.
I don’t mind Adulting.
In fact, I like being an adult.
I have never heard of that perfume, but now I want to order a sample.
I have a signature scent for the very reasons you mentioned in this post. I smelled it on a young woman many years ago while we were in Vail. I bought some, and it was the only one I loved on myself. Plus, I think my 2.5 year old granddaughter associates it with me. Cherry Blossom Eau de Toilette by L’Occitane.
I wrote a selfceare credo when I was 47. Do you mind if I post the link here?
http://lucillezimmerman.com/2012/07/15/my-selfcare-credo/
I really like this post, it’s food for thought 🙂 And great idea about hiring someone to clean your house! I really think that services, as opposed to products, are something that’s under-bought by people with a little extra money to spend. The same people who spend hundreds in skincare and thousands on cars are shy to have someone clean their house, or give them a few language or piano lessons, or deliver their groceries, and it’s so strange: paying for services can be way more rewarding than paying for products 🙂
I’m turning 40 in December, too, and I am looking forward to what my older friends have said about the “f*ck-it forties”!???? I honestly can’t even fathom coming up with a bucket list! Five kids (two with that magical extra chromosome), homeschooling, being on a GiGi’s Playhouse team (eeekk I am SO excited), and a few other little obligations and fun stuff keep me darn busy!! ????
I will be turning 50 in early January. I’ve just started doing things for myself and saying no to things I don’t want to do in the past year. I feel so much better that I should have started doing for myself sooner.
Happy 40th to you!!! Hope you have a wonderful year.
I’m right behind you in turning 40, my birthday is in March and number 1 is my top priority. I’m working on being healthy and walk 2 1/2 miles most days. It’s strange to think I’ll be 40 and as of yet, it hasn’t bothered me one bit. I’ve never been a number girl like that and do hope I will age gracefully and without whining about it.
I won’t say happy birthday until the day off as it’s bad luck in German tradition.
I’m going to be 50 (!!!) in two years and want to be fabulous at 50! You’ve inspired me to write a list…