My life circumstances demanded a new beginning. I was newly sober, newly single, and a recent empty-nester, crossing over the half-century mark in my life. I needed new goals and direction. On my 50th birthday, I decided to embark on trying 50 new things, many of which took me out of my comfort zone. Each activity or change taught me something new. From hiking in the Himalayas to getting my motorcycle license to choosing to surround myself only with people who bring out the good in me, I sought to drink fully from the cup of life. My wide-ranging list may not be your cup of tea. But I can almost guarantee that my list will spark creative lists in those of you who are ready to make this chapter of your lives your best one yet.
Some of the items on my list of 50 involved little commitment. Some altered the tenor and possibly the course of my life. The point for me was an awareness of my mortality creeping closer, a desire to make the most of the time remaining and a mission to make this world a better place because I was here.
Perhaps a bit by necessity—I divorced and did not ask for alimony because I felt so guilty for drinking my way out of my marriage—I decided that I did not need any more material things. I wanted essentials and experiences only. So I saved money and looked for new ways of making money to attain my goals.
I sold things on eBay and Craigslist, consigned clothing and accessories I no longer needed, furnished my home with secondhand items, and embraced the minimalist movement. You might be surprised at what sells on online sites. There was a local news story on how many bids a seller got for a pencil. You never know what item of yours that you no longer want or need is desirable to someone else.
I got several part-time jobs as a contract lawyer, worked at author events for an independent bookstore, and did freelance writing and editing. I even had an errand service as a side business for a while, and set up an Etsy shop online to sell some paintings I had done. I rented my home out on weekends via Airbnb and Vacation Rental by Owner (VRBO) to make some quick cash for traveling.
Then I did the soul-searching. What made me happy? Aside from my children, I was hard-pressed to say. I felt as if I had lost myself along the way. Pursuing 50 new things was part of my quest to find out who I was at my core and what made me happy.
The definition of happiness is debatable. In my youth, it meant pleasure and excitement. Those things can contribute to happiness, but I was looking for something less fleeting. At 50, happiness means contentment, serenity, peace. With some spice mixed in.
Some people call after-50 the “third third” of our lives. We are not dead yet! Numerous studies hail the benefits of remaining active and continuing to grow. I strive to learn something new every day. We all should.
Your list of 50 may be radically different from mine. These are the things that spoke to me, and not every one of them will appeal to you. And not every single thing I tried is something I care to repeat, like acupuncture, for instance.
The list includes activities and changes big and small. It is arranged thematically into the following groupings: (1) travel and adventure; (2) learning and teaching; (3) social activities; (4) physical challenges and well-being; (5) spiritual endeavors; (6) thrill-seeking ventures; and (7) lifestyle changes. I encourage you to try items from each category, to add variety, and to stimulate your mental, spiritual, and physical muscles. Make some changes. Realign your priorities. Shed what no longer serves you. Stay vibrant. We do not need to fade as we age.
My list is designed to inspire you, as it has with so many women with whom I have shared it. Challenge yourself, before life throws its next curve ball. You are worth it.