100 things you don't need to do before you die

[Dillytante]

Although I don't have a bucket list because I'd find it guilt inducing (more things to do that I just don't have time for) I am a bit of a sucker for feeling like I should do things. So was pleased to read this Graun article 100 things you don't need to do before you die so I could cross a few things off.

I'm already crossing climbing Everest off as I have just read Into Thin Air about the 1996 disaster where a load of climbers died. And the ones that didn't seem to have such a miserable time anyway. So defo not doing that.

Anyone else got any more I can cross off my list? Places I don't need to go? Books I don't need to read?

If anybody ever tells you that you must read How Late It Was, How Late, punch them. It's really not good. I read it so others don't have to.

I would give Paris a miss if you haven't already been there. And I reckon bungee jumping is overrated.

Thanks for the tips so far. I need an opinion on Eat Pray Love.

Def skip eat,pray,love.
Haven't read it myself but did read an interview with the author - that was enough to convince me I'd made the right choice.

I reckon you'll also save yourself precious minutes if you never do a Zumba class.

Skip the Niagra Falls ... a more commercialised and thoroughly wrecked piece of nature would be hard to find.

I reckon taking a llama for a picnic is something I can safely live without, don't know about you.

For pity's sake don't read One Day. Whoever finds this good needs sending to Siberia.
Don't run a marathon (buggers up your knees)
Don't bother with homeopathy
Don't do those gift experiences for posh tea/vineyard tour/car racing etc etc - splash out properly to make it worthwhile
Don't have a Brazilian wax unless you have a lot less hair than I do
Don't swim with dolphins, or if you do, choose non-grumpy ones (note to self)
Don't try to overcome vertigo by going in a hot air balloon
Don't store a mobile phone in a slow cooker and then make stock with it for 11 hours
Don't go to Glastonbury - go to a smaller festival which will be much more fun
Don't read Crime & Punishment in a bid to seem brainy (bor-ing!)
Don't watch Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - you will never ever get the time back - ditto later Matrix films

that llama thing looks BOSS!

I'm laughing at dont swim with grumpy dolphins

Don't watch soaps or daytime tv - saved you hundreds of hours

Get off Mumsnet - (should tell myself this)

Good list ruralninja. Reckon I've saved myself about 150 hours there.

you are v welcome [big grin]

Don't read anything you're not really enjoying 50 pages in! So many books to read, so little time as it is.

Yes, I started taking that advice when I read The Book Thief.

Don't bother climbing tall things in the Lake District - it takes bloody ages to get up there and you just feel bloody cold and more than slightly underwhelmed by the pointless pile if stones other bored people have left there. Then after about ten minutes of pretending to be savouring the view of erm other tall things, you have to then face the monotonous climb down where you will invariably get lost and end up finally finding resting your buggered up knees in the pub you should have stayed in from the start. Walk round a lake instead - it's far prettier and more enjoyable and you won't have to waste time bragging on Facebook either.

Do not bother to climb Ben Nevis, one word, HORRENDOUS!

oooh I like these non climbing ones!!
I really don't see the point of it at all. My dh is very much into climbing things and then going on about how lovely it is and the view is just so wonderful. I'm totally not bothered and yet made to feel like I'm a bit odd.
I would much rather be indoors reading a good book with a drink!

I've tried explaining to him that just because he finds it so amazing it doesn't mean everyone else has to.

Yeh, I was going to say don't run a marathon.
Definitely way too much effort - am surprised so many do manage to drag themselves round.
I did a 5k round a local lake with dd once - one of those pink things, you know with McMillan I think it is. We only went along to support some friends but then dd wanted to join in so we ended up running round with them.
Was knackering.
Will not be doing anything longer.

Also at my great age I've probably climbed up enough mountains and even hills eg. have done Snowdon, second time went up by train and walked down
Will take yummys advice and walk round lakes instead - agree much more picturesque with time to appreciate view as well rather than just watch your boots

Also agree regarding smaller music festivals being better (ideally just for the day)
and on homeopathy.

I was completely underwhelmed by Mirepoix. It is supposed to be a beautiful medieval village but looks like a kitsch Disney filmset. Fanjeaux however is a must for MNers.

I agree with with not continuing with books you're not enjoying (although I did enjoy The Book Thief).

Don't do something simply because someone else has put it on a list of things you must do. Write your own damn list!

Don't read Eat, Pray, Love. It's an absolute waste of time! I was determined to finish it after wasting my time starting it, and I should have just sent it to the charity shop. It was very boring!

The only exercise worth the effort is horse riding and sexual intercourse. Avoid anything requiring a Kagoule. Or you will never have sexual intercourse again. Unless it is with other Kagoule wearers.

Don't bother dusting behind the radiator.

Haha. I like this.

You should be careful of long-term dreams. If you focus too far in front of you you won't see the shiny thing out the corner of your eye.

Listen carefully when people say that they have done something and enjoyed it.

They claim to have enjoyed the experience as a whole, but did they enjoy the actual minutes and hours of it?

If every single story they tell sounds horrendous, and they say "but it was worth it" without any justification of WHY it was worth it, they are probably just trying to convince themselves that they didn't spend a lot of money to have an unpleasant time.

(see: climbing Kilimanjaro)

Do not make you own puff pastry

Do not clear out the garden shed - unless your OH needs a place to sleep.