40 things to do before 40

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Life feels short for us these days, particularly after quite a traumatic year in 2023. My husband was attacked, almost losing his life, and life feels more precious than ever this year. I'm 37.5 at the moment, and won't be 40 until April 2028.

I'm looking ahead to the next few years and have decided to compile a list of 40 things to achieve before I'm 40. 40 things that I want to do, places to visit, things to learn or achievements to make before my 40th Birthday rolls around in April 2028.

I'm looking forward to the years ahead, with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. I have so many things that I want to achieve, and I am someone who really enjoys having goals. Aims to work towards are something that I enjoy and I love the idea of having this list to look on when I'm wanting to book a fun day out, family activity or even a holiday.

I am going to be earning the money for these activities from a variety of ways including via paid surveys, market research and from blogging itself too. I'll be looking out for great deals and opportunities that may present themselves along the way and I'll come back to this post to update things as I've achieved them.

As I enter the next chapter of life, as a parent with children in education, I find myself with a little more time to think about who I am and what I want to achieve.

My goals will span various parts of my life – from self-care, learning new skills, adventure and creativity and giving back to spirituality and mindfulness too.

As these goals are pretty big I've achieved 12 as of November 2025, but I'm very happy regardless! I've already stepped out of my comfort zone.

Here are my 40 things to do before I'm 40:

Travel

Go on a cruise - I'm not a big fan of car travel, but there are Cruises from Southampton, which is a short train ride from my home, which would make a cruise perfect!

Take a trip to Disneyland Paris - ACHIEVED. It was really special. Absolutely would do it again, but would need more spare disposable income first as I had to side hustle pretty hard to save up!

Visit a Therme spa - there may be one in the UK before I'm 40 too! I'd love to hire a campervan to drive there in if I'm feeling very brave!

Enjoy a day trip to Lapland UK - ACHIEVED. It was magical, the girls loved it and we had a great time.

Visit the Roman Baths - they look fantastic.

Holiday in Edinburgh - ideally in Winter time!

See the Northern Lights. ACHIEVED. We were fortunate enough to see them at home, in our own back garden and it was amazing. I still hope to see them in Norway too if we're lucky enough.

Days out

Attend a Wimbledon match - I'm in the ballot! No joy so far...!

Watch the New Year's Eve fireworks in London - maybe from a hotel so we're not freezing and having to keep our daughters awake until midnight!

Go ice skating - ACHIEVED. I did use one of those penguins for most of it, and my feet got cold and wet, but it was nice all the same and my little girls loved it too.

Visit a Christmas market - I'm sure my eldest would love it too.

Eat in the Harrod's food court - have you seen those rotisserie chicken wraps? Lush!

Enjoy a fancy afternoon tea in London - somewhere upmarket and fancy feeling. Hoping to do this very soon!

Travel on a sleeper train - maybe to Edinburgh or Cornwall.

Visit a safari park - we've been before but not for years.

Feed a sloth - my favourite animal! Maybe at PWP. ACHIEVED. This was absolutely amazing. I had the nicest time. I went to Hertfordshire Zoo and fed a sloth, called Dame. She was absolutely adorable and it was an even better experience than I could have ever hoped for. I highly recommend if you're a sloth fan - though it does sell out pretty fast so check regularly or sign up to their newsletter.

Complete an escape room - I'd love to visit one with my husband and now both our daughters are out a few hours every day, at the same time, we might have a chance!

Watch a movie at a drive in cinema - just sounds like a fun family experience.

Go axe throwing - ACHIEVED. I went with Tom, my husband, and we had such a lovely time. I was the winner too - which was cool, and it was fun to learn to throw two axes at the same time. I felt a little nervous before I threw the first axe but the instructor was lovely, put our minds at ease and it was fun!

Go on a zip wire - ACHIEVED. It WAS hard work, as I did a tree climb too, and had a fall and my too loose harness got hooked under a wooden platform but I really surprised myself by being able to do a pull up to get back on my feet. It was exhilarating and so much better than I expected - especially as my family were watching too!

Honestly, it felt a little bit like climbing mount Kilimanjaro, as I had only recently started working on my fitness, but I'm proud of myself all the same!

I had such a bad flare up of pain after the zip wire, that lasted a couple of weeks, but it was still worth it and I'd do it again tomorrow!

Mindfulness and personal development

Go to a sound bath session - I've seen one locally so might give it a go!

Climb the O2 - another activity that is a little out of my comfort zone. ACHIEVED. This was great fun! I went with a friend I met through Instagram and we had a great time. I was a bit achy for weeks after, but still feels like it was worthwhile.

Get a tattoo - I've never had one before but have an idea for one.

Attend a psychic night - I will rope a couple of my friends in and it'll be great fun I'm sure.

Use a telescope to look at the stars - just something lovely to enjoy with my husband one evening. ACHIEVED. My husband surprised me one evening with the telescope out and we both saw a shooting star which was lovely too.

Read 50 books - I'm a big lover of a self development book and want to make more effort to read those. I'm just sitting on 5/50 so far - so I need to step my game up!

Complete a one-year journal - I'm already ten months into this one and really enjoying it!

New skills

Grow tomatoes from seed - ACHIEVED. We grew the tomatoes in 2024, then we dried out the seeds, saved them and grew the tomatoes from them in 2025. Yum! I turned them into roasted tomato pizza sauce.

Grow a full herb bed of my favourite herbs - this is going well but I wouldn't say it is complete just yet!

Learn to play chess - I'm sure I knew once!

Learn how to make candles - I LOVE having candles around my home and would love to learn to make them.

Make items from air dried clay - I have seen a few TikToks on making little trinkets and lovely items and I'd love to give this a go. ACHIEVED. We've still got to paint them though...

Go on a flower arranging course - a Christmas one might be nice.

Business related

Start another website - I do have some other websites, but they're small scale. I'd love to turn my hand to another 'Katykicker' but in a specific niche. I already own the URL too. This is in the works now and will hopefully be ready in early 2026!

Double my income from advertising - a BIG goal to be honest. I'm with Mediavine and trying my best! It's not looking good...! (Really really not!)

Publish a book - I've got a couple of ideas, and might just self-publish one myself. We shall see!

Family related

Enjoy a family photo shoot - maybe a Christmas one.

Start a new Christmas tradition - ACHIEVED. Every year we have a new photo with Santa, which we add into a huge frame and every year we've been choosing one or two new ornaments, that reflect on the year that has just passed.

Teach both my daughters to ride bikes - I want to do this myself.

Have a yes day - I've seen them online and they look great fun.

Growing older is a privilege not afforded to everyone and I intend to embrace making my way towards being another decade older. I'm very grateful for my wonderful family, home and a life that allows me to live with chronic pain and still enjoy myself where possible.

While turning 40 itself is just a number for me it is a great opportunity to mark what is a milestone Birthday by packing life full of adventures and learning new skills.

I feel like my life has become filled with even more purpose and determination recently and I intend to do my best to enjoy it all.