As I’m turning 25 this year, I think back on all the opportunities and time I’ve spent not doing things, it makes me quite sad. I always said I never want to grow old with regrets, and I think that’s a bold statement, and possibly too vague.
Because I have many regrets, about my behaviour, and my actions however when I say live with no regrets, what I mean is opportunity. I constantly compare myself and my achievements to other people my age and it makes me question how much I’ve really lived. I could have been adventuring since I was 17, and I did first of all. I lived in Thailand and travelled for 3 months and it was the best time of my life. Then reality hits and you have to work, and continue with life. But I think I’ve had almost eight years of when I could have adventured properly, and done everything I wanted to do, but whether it was money, time or people, I never went and sought it out. I have had some incredible adventures in my life, I really have, but I am disappointed with myself that I just stopped.
So now, as I’ve got just over five years before hitting thirty, I have a mini bucket list of things to seek out and achieve. Some of which as you can see are slightly more complex than others, but I want to ensure that I’m not wasting any more time.
My goals for the next few years of my life, are to prioritise me, and social connection. I want to meet people from all walks of life, and adventure, connect and learn. It’s taken a long long time to realise that, and many a conversation with friends, colleagues and ChatGPT. But I know I want to explore everything, and I have nothing stopping me.
So the list begins. Now I’m well aware that more things will pop up that I want to add to this list and I will achieve things that aren’t on this list also, but this is a starting point. Because I know it’s all (mostly) possible.
- Skydive
- Bungee jump
- Visit 30 counties
- Live in a city
- Backpack again
- Travel to Brazil
- Learn to cook properly
- Finish my book and publish it
- Run a marathon, or maybe a half
- Start an emergency fund (although this list is expensive)
- Take my family on holiday
- See a wonder of the world
- Go in a hot air balloon
- Everest base camp / Kilimanjaro / Fuego
- Dive a coral reef
- Go on a cruise
Now I did have buy a house on this list however over the last few months I’ve realised that my goal in life is to travel and see the world and yes eventually I believe one of my purposes for being on this earth is to be a mother and to raise a beautiful family with a loving husband and have the most incredible home. However, at the moment at least for now I know that I am not ready to buy at home I’m not ready to be stuck in one place to lose the option of freedom and travel and pay a mortgage. For me, buying a house in the next five years is not something that I necessarily want to tick off. I feel like there’s so much pressure especially with people on my age where you see everybody around you buying houses and selling down and taking that stuff in life and you almost feel pressured to do the same like you’re falling behind if you’re not doing it and I think it’s really important to remember that your goals and what you want in life is far more important than what you see other people doing and feel pressured to do.
- Go on a solo holiday
- Learn Spanish almost fluently
- Volunteer in a community
- Learn to drive – probably should try again
- See the horses in Kyrgyzstan
- Start therapy
You’ll notice the list has quite a theme – travel and exploration, which is exactly what I said I wanted to achieve. Let me also say that this doesn’t list all the smalls wins, that I will have along the way.
For example, in order to run a marathon, I have to run 10K and a half, those are still massive achievements despite not being on the list.
I hope to have a wonderful next few years, I really do, and I will do everything in power to achieve these things. It’s scary, I’m terrified to be completely honest, but Google says that’s the best time to take the leap… so here we are.
The Becoming Her Diary 