I turn 40 on April 25, 2026, and I want to honor that milestone by doing forty things that make me feel alive, challenged, and more myself. Some are big dreams, some are quirky, and some are deeply personal. Here’s my list.
Big / Special
⬜ Stay at the haunted Menger Hotel in San Antonio or another haunted hotel
⬜ Ride in a hot air balloon or go skydiving
⬜ Have bariatric surgery
⬜ Book a professional photo shoot after my surgery
⬜ Stay in a weird or offbeat Airbnb
⬜ Visit Chicago and stand on the Skydeck and visit the bean
⬜ Visit Seattle and see the Space Needle
⬜ Go to a concert in Mexico City or Monterrey
⬜ Watch a Lucha Libre match in Mexico
⬜ Take a spontaneous last minute flight adventure with no itinerary
Reflection:
These are my “big moment” items, the ones that feel cinematic. Some are about adventure, some are about reclaiming my health, and some are about simply saying yes to something bold. Turning 40 shouldn’t be demure, it deserves a little drama.
Texas / Local
⬜ Take a pottery or ceramics class
⬜ Watch a play in Spanish or another local performance in Spanish
⬜ Try axe throwing
⬜ Explore Natural Bridge Caverns
⬜ Go on a ghost tour maybe in San Antonio or elsewhere
⬜ Take a scenic train ride
⬜ Visit the San Antonio Missions
⬜ Take a Glass Bottom Boat Tour
⬜ Eat a giant cinnamon roll in Boerne
⬜ See a Christmas light show in Santa’s Wonderland
⬜ Visit a quirky Texas town I have never been to
⬜ Eat at The Airport Diner
Reflection:
I don’t always need to travel far to find something new. Texas is full of quirky towns, natural wonders, and local experiences. While I make an effort to explore some of these attractions there are many I haven’t had the opportunity to explore. This list reminds me that adventure is right here at home too.
Quirky and Offbeat
⬜ See a giant roadside attraction I have not visited yet
⬜ Go to a burlesque show
⬜ Get my first American Girl doll
⬜ Teach Oliver a one minute dance routine
⬜ Make my first non family Etsy sale
⬜ Ding dong ditch as an adult
⬜ Return to ballet folklórico and finally learn the Veracruz dance
⬜ Try a Japanese head spa treatment
Reflection:
These are the playful ones, the things that make me laugh or connect me to my childhood. From finally getting the American Girl doll I never had to dancing folklórico like I dreamed of, this is about joy, silliness, and honoring little Bee.
Personal and Skill
⬜ Write a letter to my 50 year old self on my 40th birthday
⬜ Publish my Peanut and Lola children’s story
⬜ Learn SQL
⬜ Learn Python
⬜ Learn how to sew
⬜ Start my master’s degree by the time I turn 40
⬜ Give myself a Yes Day
⬜ Get really good at Excel
⬜ Build and publish a simple dashboard in Power BI or Tableau
⬜ Complete a 5K and not finish last
⬜ Go on a fun platonic adventure with a random person I meet in the wild
Reflection:
This category is about growth. Some of these are about building skills that can shape my career, while others are about nurturing creativity or pushing myself physically. They’re the things that make me proud of the person I am becoming.
Bonus Items
⬜ Buy my first luxury purse hopefully from a Latino designer
⬜ Eat at Barbs BQ in Lockhart
⬜ Explore a historic Texas ghost town or abandoned site
Reflection:
I added these so I have flexibility. If life shifts, I can still count a win. Plus, they’re all things that feel like treats — little luxuries or fun detours that add spice to the journey.
Birthday Finale
On April 25, 2026, I want to do something absolutely incredible to celebrate my 40th. Something not even on this list. A once in a lifetime finale to close out my 30s.
Reflection:
I don’t know what this will be yet, and that’s the point. I want to leave space for magic. Something unplanned and unforgettable that closes one chapter and sets me up for the next.
Why This List Matters
When I look at this list, I don’t just see forty tasks. I see proof that I can rewrite my story as many times as needed. Some of these things are big and dramatic, others are silly, and some are deeply personal. Together, they remind me that turning 40 isn’t about checking off someone else’s boxes. It’s about choosing my own.
I shared in my first post that I want to honor life, not fear milestones. This list is my way of doing exactly that. It’s a reminder that life doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s timeline or checklist.
Now I want to hear from you.
How have you celebrated big moments in your life?
And when I say big, I mean whatever feels big to you. It doesn’t have to be a birthday, a wedding, or a “traditional” milestone. It could be the day you finally left a job that wasn’t right for you, or the moment you booked a trip you had always dreamed about. We all get to define what big looks like.
