Making bucket list progress

Several moths ago, I made a list of things I’d like to do before I’m 40. My very own ‘bucket list’.

Purely arbitrary, nothing to do with impending death. I need to emphasise that – every time I mention a bucket list, people think I’m about to share some very sad news about my health.

Not so.

I just find that I get more done when I have some targets, and this applies in my personal life just as much as it does at work. In hindsight, calling it a bucket list may have been misleading…

Anyway.

I’ve made some progress and am about to make some more. Let’s recap on what I was aiming for:

• Take the sleeper train to Scotland
• Go camping (anywhere!)
• Write a book (fiction or otherwise)
• Start my own business
• Visit Iceland
• Work Naked Bike Ride in London
• Record a podcast
• Go hiking somewhere in the UK
• Spend a long weekend in Paris
• Visit the Finnish Sauna in London
• A weekend spa visit to Bath
• Visit Venice

A lot of travel, right? I love it.

Well, in addition to getting my own business up and running last September, I co-founded another. But just one tick. I’m not changing the rules now.

I also had an excellent weekend in Bath in January which included a superb visit to the Thermae Spa. I’m a sucker for a hot spring, whether in Japan or not. We also managed a long weekend in Paris – my first non-business trip to Paris for about a decade. In February, we went to Iceland, which was truly gorgeous. Definitely somewhere I’ll visit again. Aside from the stunning scenery, the people were a delight.

I sadly missed the World Naked Bike Ride in London. And quite frankly, it’s now far too cold to do anything outdoors naked. I’m obviously a fair-weather naturist.  Maybe next year….

Another tick is on the way! I’ve booked myself a one-way ticket on the Caledonian Sleeper to Edinburgh. So I’ll be taking a sleeper train to Scotland. It doesn’t leave London until after 11pm, so frankly my main goal will be staying awake for a while.

I got a First Class private sleeper – the thought of sharing with a stranger was just too weird, even for me. I just imagined a James Bond-style battle to the death, just like in ‘From Russia with Love’. So I get a private space, as well as dinner in the lounge.

Really, really looking forward to the experience.

Given the fact it’s virtually December, and I turn 40 in February, I need to look for some quick wins to move this list along. I reckon I can get to the Finnish Sauna just across the Thames no problem.

As for the rest… well, I have recorded a podcast. Of sorts. It was a live webinar for work that we recorded and shared for offline listening. No, I won’t be making it public here as hearing it still makes my skin crawl. But I have added a podcasting kit to my Xmas wishlist and I think I might record a few words and a jingle to cross ‘podcast’ off the list.

Less than three months to go.

Let’s see what I can manage.