*This post contains affiliate links, if you click a link I make a small commission and you help support the blog
I have a lot of goals for my life and until recently I kept some of them in a book written in tiny cramped writing. Then I saw a friend checking off items on a 40 before they’re 40 list. It really got me thinking about my own life goals. Since I was already close to 40, I figured I would look ahead to when I turned 50.
To hold myself accountable, I decided to post my list of 50 bucket list things before I turn 50 here on my blog. Yes, I am fully aware of just how lofty some of these goals are. I am also aware that some of you will think it’s not possible. That’s ok. I’m doing this for me.
Each year I will update this list, crossing off the items I completed that year. So, you can see my progress and so I can see my progress.
So, let’s do this. Here is my 50 bucket list things before I turn 50.
- O trail in Patagonia
- Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
- 7 summits (0/7-8)
- Kilimanjaro
- Mount Elbrus
- Aconcagua
- Denali
- Everest
- Vinson
- Kosciuszko
- Puncak Jaya (extra for good measure and due to the controversy)
- Hike the Kumano Kodo
- See the monarchs in Mexico
- Bike around Ireland
- Hike Hadrian’s Wall
- Visit all US National Parks (17/63)
- Visit all Canadian National Parks (5/37)
- Island hop in Thailand
- See orangutans and other wildlife in Borneo
- Visit Komodo island
- See the great wildlife migration in Kenya/Tanzania
- Do the trail run in Switzerland
- Slovenia’s green route
- Hike to Machu Picchu
- Hike the Camino
- Hike and dive in the Galapagos
- Hike in the Isle of Skye
- Rickshaw Run in Sri Lanka
- Hike the John Muir Trail and summit Mount Whitney
- Hike the Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon
- Visit Norway (hiking)
- Visit Iceland (adventure race or Laugavegar trail)
- Eat at the French Laundry
- Dive with sharks
- Go trekking in New Zealand
- Visit Angor Wat in Cambodia
- See the northern lights
- See the Amazon Rainforest
- Run 50 ½ marathons/marathons/ultras (11/50)
- Try sandboarding
- Visit Bulgaria to see the salt flats, flamingos, stars at night
- Climb Chimborazo Mountain
- Go ziplining (because I am terrified of heights and I didn’t take the opportunity when it was offered to me in Nicaragua)
- Walk on the great wall of China
- Hike the Annapurna Trail
- Become fluent in French
- See the 7 Natural Wonders of the World (2/7)
- Aurora Borealis
- Harbor of Rio de Janeiro
- Grand Canyon
- Great Barrier Reef
- Mount Everest
- Victoria Falls
- Parícutin, Mexico
- Become a board-certified wildlife vet through the ACZM
- Take the glass roofed train through the Canadian Rockies
- Complete the explorer’s grand slam
- Have a book on the NY Times best seller’s list
- Read the entire works of William Shakespeare
- Learn to sail
- Try ice climbing
- Participate in an adventure race
- Get my Wilderness Medicine certification
- Live off the grid for a week (using primitive survival skills)
- Learn how to make soap
Summary of 2023
I started crossing off adventures this year, just shy of my 40th birthday. Personally, I think I am off to a great start and have big plans for 2024 (stay tuned for that). This past year I visited Great Smoky Mountain National Park, ran 1 ultra, 2 full marathons and 2 half marathons, I learned to sail, I learned to make soap and I got my Wilderness First Responder certification.
I continue to study for the ACZM board exam, which I intend to sit in 2025, I have been diligently writing my first fiction novel, and have started making plans for next years races and climbing courses (since I need to have done other climbing before, I can sign up for the ice climbing class).
Some of you may not think that I accomplished a lot, but I also moved across the country, we bought a house, and got married and I am still currently working full time in my clinical job. We went on a couple hiking trips, spent time exploring our new city and spent a week in the eastern sierras hiking and snowboarding. Based on what I have achieved in this very full year (of which I have nothing but gratitude for), I truly think I can do all the things on this list and I will continue to check them off one-by-one. All it takes is that first step and you can do anything.
Summary of 2024
2024 was a big year. I took a risk, a leap. Leaving my comfort zone of a full time job, I started my own wildlife veterinary contract business. I have always had a goal of creating a life of my choosing. One where I work on the projects that excite me and jobs that bring meaning to my life. That align with my values. This year I took steps towards that. Though I ended up making about half of what I had been making in the past, things have continued to move in a positive direction and I can already see that 2025 is going to be a big year for me. It is already filled with plans that excite me just thinking about them. But first, 2024.
I officially finished the Complete Works of William Shakespeare early in 2024. Other things included trying sandboarding, which happened to be at a National Park, crossing Great Sand Dunes National Park off my list. The weather was terrible while I was there, blasting wind making the whole experience less fun than it should have been. But I did try it and it was kind of cool and I hope to get to do it again some day with better weather. This past year I visited a total of 4 national parks including, Olympic National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park and the Grand Canyon bringing my total count to 17/63. I also saw 2 of the 7 natural wonders of the world, again the Grand Canyon and Mount Everest (during my trip to Nepal, where I performed a non-invasive health assessment of snow leopards by collecting scat samples and analyzing them for various pathogens). I also ran 2 half marathons and 1 full marathon, bringing my total up to 9/50.
Overall, this year has been a big step in the right direction of my life goals, not just the ones on this list, but the ones I keep to myself as well. I’m really proud of the things I have achieved this year and I am very much looking forward to the plans I have for next year and continuing to cross items off my list.
Summary of 2025
This year I checked a few things off my list and had to put off a few things due to government shutdowns and life. My husband and I were planning a big road trip down through Oregon and California, which would have meant visiting 5 National Parks and trying to get a reservation at the French Laundry. Well, when the government shutdown happened and parks were ordered to remain open, we decided that we didn’t want to add to the current strain on the parks and canceled our trip. So, the national parks will have to wait. However, I did get to see the monarchs in Mexico (which was one of the most incredible wildlife experiences I have ever had) and I went hiking in New Zealand this year. I also ran 2 half marathons, bringing my total to 11/50. So, overall, I have continued to plug away at my dream list and 2026 is looking even brighter, though the first4 months will be extremely busy as we move back east again, leaving a city we love and will be sad to leave, but excited about the opportunities this move will bring. I have also added a few additional goals to hit in the future, but I will keep those close until I start tackling them, keep an eye on my Instagram for updates on those.
Each year, I also decide on a theme. One that will reflect what I hope to gain from my year. 2025 was “Growth and Focus.” I had started my new veterinary contract business and also focused on finishing the first draft of my novel and growing my blog. All of these things benefited from this and I am proud to say both my contract business and blog grew in leaps and bounds and I did finish that first draft of my first full length novel. I’m so proud of how far I have come, even if I didn’t cross off as many things on my list this year. I am continuing to look ahead into 2026, where the theme will be “Nourish and Shine,” and my misogi (my big accomplishment I want to attain this year) is to pass my zoo board exam and become a board certified wildlife veterinarian (see item number 40 on my list above). 2025 gave me lots of opportunity and I am so glad I spent the time working on growing my career.
