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?

[RunLikeSomeFeckersChasing]

Don't iron unless you are wearing the item to a wedding or an interview.
Don't spend 3 hours cooking a meal to impress anybody. Even if it's the queen.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Like your two Liza - and Trills link to Tim Minchin - an excellent alternative inspirational talk there (to a bunch of students/grads at a graduation ceremony)

[dingit]

Is Gone Girl truly awful? I've just spent a whole 99p on it for my kindle

[OnePramAndHisSprog]

Don't go anywhere near Indonesia. The people are foul.
Don't go kayaking - you end up wet and achy and arguing with your husband.

[mignonnette]

Dingit

it is worth 99p. Just not £7,99.

[BaronessBomburst]

Dingit 99p that you could have spent on chocolate......

[CuttedUpPear]

Nodding at the sage MN advice

[fancyanother]

If you really, really have to read Eat, Pray, Love, just read "eat" and skip the rest, or you may have to add 'buy uzi' onto your list, which would defeat the object .

[Ememem84]

Don't read or watch eat pray love. It's time you'll never get back. I made dh watch it after I was subjected to one too many rubbish Jason statham movies. It was supposed to be a punishment for him. Was also one for me.

[KatyPutTheCuttleOn]

Don't ever buy a house with anybody else, keep it in your name only.

[LizaTarbucksAuntie]

http://www.herald.ie/lifestyle/femme/digested-read-eat-pray-love-by-elizabeth-gilbert-27962147.html digested read of eat pray love

[stinkingbishop]

Lake Titicaca is shit. Thought it was going to be awe inspiring, but it's just a big lake, and the floating islands are so blatantly commercial it's like Disney built LakeWorld.

Brussels. See the Manequin Pise, wolf some moules frites, then exit.

The Fat Duck. Like a soulless pantomime. So rehearsed. Much more exciting and surprising food can be had elsewhere for less.

Nor do you need to appear in a fly on the wall documentary, eat in a restaurant with pictures of the food outside, take part in an orgy, or visit anywhere with the word 'experience' in the title.

Or swaddle babies. Just buy the lazy 'swaddle me' thingie from Amazon.

You're welcome .

[theDudesmummy]

Don't go the the Ice Hotel in Sweden, it's just so cold that you have to get dreadfully drunk and you feel even worse and colder the next day. And don't go to visit the reindeer, I got tickbite fever and was terribly ill.

Don't bother with anything by Ian McEwan, they are well over rated.

Don't finish a book that you are not enjoying, there are so many lovely books.

[LizaTarbucksAuntie]

or indeed...digested read

[BaronessBomburst]

I liked Lake Tit! Didn't go to the floating islands though. Macchu Picchu was amazing, unlike Stonehenge and the pyramids which weren't.

[DuckToWater]

I loved One Day. I can't remember whether I liked Eat Pray Love, I think I thought it was a bit annoying by the end.

Brussels is a fantastic city, I had a great time there when I was 20, though it did involve a lot of sex and drinking very nice beer, perhaps I could have done that in a lot of places. I liked the atmosphere though very much and had expected it to be a dull place.

[DuckToWater]

Gone Girl was ok too, I seem to remember.

But I agree with the comment not to waste time with books you aren't enjoying. In general. I did take about ten goes to get into War and Peace, but then was very glad I did. Although the Natasha/Pierre story I found much more fascinating than anything else in it.

[unlucky83]

Don't go to the pyramids - or valley of the Kings etc in Egypt with a 6 yo and a 38yo child whose idea of a good holiday is lounging on the beach/eating - you won't be able to appreciate them - and will miss going to the Valley of the Queens (even though you are more or less there and have paid for it in your private tour) because of the bored teenager behaviour of said adult child....

[dingit]

The cathedral thingy in Barcelona, hot, crowded and meh.

[Wafflenose]

I have wasted hours watching films by M. Night Shyamalan after quite enjoying the Sixth Sense. Don't bother - they get steadily worse.

Also found Legoland overcrowded, overpriced and boring.

[teacher123]

Stonehenge is boring, and the lorries that thundered past on that A road that runs right next to it completely canceled out any sort of remotely woo atmosphere.

[Chivetalking]

Don't go out of your way to visit castles,churches or cathedrals.

Seen one you've seen 'em all.

[DuckToWater]

I would also advise people to treat this thread with caution and make your own mind up.

For example I found Stonehenge and Barcelona Gaudi Cathedral pretty awesome. Also many of the books herein described as 'terrible', 'don't bother', I found pretty enjoyable, perhaps not a Must Read Before You Die, but overall positive!

I have trouble thinking of anything I especially want to do before I die. I guess I did most things I wanted to do in my 20s before having children as I knew it would be much harder to do stuff after or that I would have different priorities. I don't really hanker after things in general.

[DuckToWater]

I'd also advise people not to make a list at all, but think about one or two things you would really like to do and focus on achieving them one at a time. That and just find the pleasure and fun in life in general.

[dingit]

Wise words Duck. I've been to Niagara Falls which are fantastic, the surrounding area is grim. We headed out to Niagara on the lake for a nice place to wander.