Turning 40 bucket list and improving life

[Elllieuk]

I'll be turning 40 soon and feel like I need to live a more fulfilled life, the years are passing by and been a bit samey. I work for myself from home which is lonely although I like the freedom. Would love to change job in the next few years to something more sociable, something to do with animals or wildlife would be nice. I also want to create a bucket list -any ideas? I have two children under 4 so am slightly limited atm but would like to include them too where possible! How do you personally live a fulfilling life? Does a good job do this?

I think volunteering can be very fulfilling.
Really rewarding, and enjoyable too.

I make a list every year & try to do most things on the list

Thanks what kind of things do you put on it?

That's a good idea thank you I'll look into that :)

I am 41 and feel a bit the same, especially as I'm also self employed and work from home. I have a 6yo and a 3yo and I honestly think this is part of it. The years are slipping past very busily but not actually achieving much for myself/nothing changes for me. But I've realised I just have to absorb that for now. My 50s will be a time for personal expansion. In the meantime I'm trying to focus my energies on hitting one important career goal by the time I'm 50.

Also interested in what people's yearly lists look like and how they balance getting through them with the demands of family life...

Some ideas to guide you below - I started this at 40, am now 50 and list just gets longer!

Places you want to visit - now and future
Sports or hobbies you want to try
Experiences - helicopter, hot air balloon, floatation tank...
Time for yourself - alone, with friends and family
Restaurants you want to go to/foods you want to cook
Books to read
Films/plays to see
Concerts/festivals
Skills - sing, play an instrument, dance, learn a language

I’m your age too and wish someone had told me 10 years ago to stop trying to find fulfilment in a career. It’s quite often just a path to disappointment and burnout. Look for it elsewhere would be my advice. Not quite sure where but I don’t think it’s at work.

I feel the same..about to turn 40. But kids and work make doing anything fulfilling quite tricky! If anything I'd just like 20 mins to slob out on the sofa and watch a TV show that isn't for DH or for DC.

This is interesting. Apart from kids (if you have them), what have you switched your attention to?

Travel solo. Nothing like it.

I’m also just about to turn 40. I made a list in January to work towards and it feels great to tick them off. Short and long term goals.

Books I’d like to read, sports to try, career goals, meals/restaurants, activities, savings etc. Writing things down motivates me to do something about what I want.

This is great thanks!

My lists normally contain something like
the below in no particular order

Do things that make me happy 😁

Go on holiday with family

Visit friends (live in different locations)

Book to do some things related to my sporting hobbies

Visit some new places

Try something new

Do some charity related things

Exercise mentally & physically

Don't take things for granted & enjoy the simple things in life, be grateful

Do some random acts of kindness

Grow, bake, make something

Do something fun on the spur of the moment

Laugh

Say thank you more often

Do something out of your comfort zone

Save money & spend some money

Enjoy nature