my 40 realistic things to do before 40

Something about milestone birthdays that almost always makes us look back at our entire existence and wonder......have I accomplished everything I wanted to do before insert milestone year here. 

While in 20s, I was still figuring out what I wanted in life. From pre-nursing student to get me out of here however it takes. I moved around. Went to 3 different schools. Found religion. Found love.
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I was 29 1/2 when I had my first baby. Almost 34, when I had my second. Motherhood, in all its ups and downs, strengths and weakness found me in my 30s.
This was quite literary a life changing, life giving, life persevering decade. 
But as I approach my 40s, I still have this need to look and ask myself, "have I done everything I wanted to do up until this moment?"

I can check off author, writer, teacher. I can check off some travels, not all...never all. I am grateful for every single opportunity of friendships that have come and gone, of books and stories that I'm able to pass on to my littles. But there were things in life that I've always wanted to do....but came up with a dozen excuses not to do them.
And as I'm a little neurotic and have 6 months to count down to the big 4-0 and I thought. Would I have to wait another decade countdown to accomplish these tasks - simple as they may be?

Behold, another list of things I wanted to do, wanted to pick up but in my wayward distracted self, I've somehow forgotten this list. I did add some of my 22 for 2022 to this and I am aware that some of these are not "one and done." I want to continue and carry some (like wanting to be Lucy Liu, get a black belt and wield a kantana) into the next decade. I found my own inner strength  as a postpartum depression and preeclampsia survivor in my mid-30s.
This decade - 40s - I want to be the badass warrior that I know I am. 

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40 things to do before 40

1. learn to play guitar - I was gifted a guitar when I was 18....got rid of it sometime in college. I've always wanted to learn.
2. go on a road trip with sisters - the last time we took a sister trip, was in 2005/04? to Chicago.
3. take martial arts classes - I actually want to go back and take taekwondo. When I was a kid, I got as far as a green belt because I couldn't break a board. i want to see how far i get. 
4. learn how to sword fight - i mean I really wanted to be Lucy Liu in Kill Bill with her sword... 
5. take a cooking class 
6. learn something new - I signed up for various writing workshops and poetry club and I'm going to start ASL class next week! So excited. 
   
7. finish yoga teaching cert and teach yoga classes
8. take a Spanish course and be ready for Mexico this summer
9. go through mama's recipes and cook them all 
10. build a raised garden bed
11. run a mile without stopping
12. run a 5k race
13. take a dance class, specifically salsa 
14. publish my Asian American poetry collection
15. finish the book you are working on (Filipino folklore novel in verse)
16. ride a bike and hope we don't break anything this time around
17. buy new cook ware like an adult 
18. overhaul closet and begin wardrobe capsule
19. stick to a skin care routine
20. get a mammogram
21. spa day with my girl
22. go on an adult's only vacation
23. have a "yes day" with my kids - within reason and I will not tell them it's "yes day."
24. Write and get a will 
25. try a new hairstyle - I've been blonde, had a pixie cut, a bob, long hair.... I'm more adventurous with my hairstyle but it's been a long time since I've changed anything
26. learn a new computer/tech related skill (like Excel/coding,etc) 
27. take a photography class
28. take an art class
29. volunteer at the food pantry with the kiddos
30. learn to sew
31. host a blood drive
32. donate plasma
33. play the flute
34. buy high heels
35. learn how to walk in high heels
36. revive an old furniture
37. book a family photography session
38. learn about the stock market and start investing
39. watch a sporting event live
40. rewrite that bucket list, drink champagne, and celebrate the next amazing decade of your life

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