Let’s cut the crap. Those fluffy bucket lists full of skydiving and learning French? They’re bullshit. Here are 40 things you actually need to do before 40 if you don’t want to wake up one day wondering where your life went.
- Learn to say “no” without explaining yourself. Your time is precious, stop wasting it.
- Figure out what hill you’re willing to die on. Then fight like hell for it.
- Cut toxic people out of your life. Yes, even if they’re family.
- Learn to cook one meal that’ll impress the pants off someone. Literally.
- Get your financial shit together. Debt isn’t cute anymore.
- Stop pretending you’ll read that pile of books. Donate them and move on.
- Learn the difference between alone and lonely. Master being alone.
- Have at least one friend who calls you on your bullshit.
- Realize your parents are flawed humans, not gods or monsters.
- Find a form of exercise you don’t hate. Your knees will thank you later.
- Learn to fix at least three things in your home. YouTube exists, use it.
- Fuck up spectacularly at least once. Then learn how to recover.
- Stop waiting for permission to live your life.
- Figure out your “why.” If you don’t know why you’re here, you’re just existing.
- Learn to apologize properly. “I’m sorry you feel that way” doesn’t count.
- Get comfortable with silence. In conversation and in life.
- Develop a bullshit detector. For others and especially for yourself.
- Learn to ask for help. It’s not weakness, it’s wisdom.
- Find out what you’re willing to sacrifice for. And what you’re not.
- Stop comparing your behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel.
- Learn to sit with discomfort. Growth is uncomfortable.
- Figure out what success means to you, not society.
- Have a plan for your mental health. Life’s a bitch, be prepared.
- Learn to give genuine compliments. And to accept them gracefully.
- Stop trying to change people. Either accept them or walk away.
- Find your tribe. Not the cool kids, but people who get you.
- Learn to budget. Being broke at 40 isn’t charming.
- Face your biggest fear. It’s probably not as scary as you think.
- Develop a taste for something you hated as a kid. Growth, baby.
- Learn to disagree without being an asshole.
- Figure out your non-negotiables in relationships.
- Learn to enjoy your own company. You’re stuck with yourself forever.
- Stop using busy as a badge of honor. It’s not impressive, it’s sad.
- Learn to listen. Really listen, not just wait for your turn to talk.
- Find a cause bigger than yourself. Contribute something meaningful.
- Learn to let go. Of grudges, of stuff, of who you thought you’d be by now.
- Develop a signature style. Not trendy, but uniquely you.
- Learn to give without expecting anything in return.
- Stop waiting for the “right time.” It’s now or never.
- Realize that this list is just someone else’s opinion. Including this last point. Make your own damn list.
Remember, time’s ticking. You’ve got shit to do. Get to it.