What If You Don’t Get Another Chance?
Let me tell you a quick story.
A few years ago, I cared for a man in his late 50s recovering from a heart attack. One day, after a quiet checkup, he looked me in the eye and asked, “Do you think I’ll ever walk the Camino de Santiago now? Or did I miss my window?”
That moment has stayed with me ever since. Not because of the destination he named — but because of the regret in his voice.
As a nurse and life support coach, I’ve had countless conversations like that.
You hear things when people are at their most vulnerable: not about money, not about careers… but about the life they didn’t get to live. The hike they skipped. The apology they didn’t give. The adventure they always postponed.
That’s why I created this list.
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“51 Things To Experience Before You Die.”
So What Are The “Things To Experience Before You Die”?
Forget the cliché skydive or five-star cruise (although hey — no judgment if they’re on your list!). When I say things to experience before you die, I’m talking about moments that move you, wake you up, and remind you you’re alive — in your bones, your breath, your cells.
And because I come from a wellness and recovery background, this list isn’t about glamor — it’s about growth, healing, connection, and joy. It’s for the person who wants to be well, not just “busy.” For the woman who’s finally choosing herself. For the caregiver who forgot they deserve care, too.
Some of these you can do tomorrow. Some will take years. All are worth trying and living your life.
Let’s begin.
1. Take A Solo Wellness Trip
This doesn’t need to be a two-week digital detox in Bali (unless that’s your vibe). It could be a weekend away in a cabin, a coastal town, or even just a quiet Airbnb one town over. The key? Go alone.
As a nurse, I’ve seen what burnout looks like in the body. Solo trips offer a pause — no one to entertain, no performance to keep up. It’s you, your breath, and space to feel things fully.
I took one after a draining season and cried through half of it… but left 10 pounds lighter (emotionally).
Pro Tip: Plan nothing. Bring books, snacks, and a journal. Let silence do the talking.
2. Write Letters You Won’t Send
We carry so many unsaid things in our bodies. Anger, grief, love, guilt — all buried because we didn’t know where to put them. Writing gives those emotions somewhere to land.
I’ve suggested this exercise to patients struggling with chronic pain and trauma. One wrote a letter to her estranged father. Never sent it. But afterward? Her anxiety calmed for the first time in years.
Write to someone who hurt you. To someone you miss. To your younger self. It’s not about their reaction — it’s about your release.
Pro Tip: Don’t overthink. Just write. And then burn it, bury it, or keep it — your choice. The healing is in the doing.
3. Stargaze Without A Single Distraction
When was the last time you lay down, phone off, and looked up at the stars with nothing to do but be?
After one of my hardest shifts, I pulled over near a field, turned off the car, and lay on the hood. That moment changed my breath, my heart rate, and my state of mind. It was the kind of peace no therapy app could offer.
You don’t need a telescope or remote forest. Just find a patch of sky. Let the silence remind you how little — and how precious — we are.
Pro Tip: Go alone. Leave your phone behind. Breathe deep. Your nervous system will thank you.
4. Forgive Someone Undeserving
This one hurts — until it doesn’t. Forgiveness is one of the most powerful things to experience before you die, not because the other person deserves it, but because you do.
I’ve seen people’s blood pressure, stress levels, and even IBS symptoms improve after deep emotional release. And often, what they let go of wasn’t food or caffeine — it was resentment.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean reconnecting or pretending it was okay. It just means dropping the weight you were never meant to carry.
Pro Tip: Say it out loud. Whisper it in the mirror. Or write it on paper and let it go. Healing doesn’t always look dramatic — sometimes it’s quiet.
5. Go On A Wellness Retreat
Don’t wait for someone to come with you. Don’t wait for the “perfect” time. Book that retreat — the one calling your name.
I went on a yoga and breathwork retreat after three years of nonstop nursing shifts. I didn’t know anyone. I was nervous and nearly backed out. But I came home softer. Calmer. Lighter.
You don’t have to be broken to need healing. Sometimes, stepping away from daily noise is enough to reset everything.
Pro Tip: Look for retreats in nature with a focus on rest — not restriction. Skip the ones obsessed with “fixing” you. You’re not broken.
6. Dance Like No One’s Judging
Seriously. In your kitchen. At a wedding. Alone in your room. Wherever. Just move.
I once cared for a woman in hospice who said, “I wish I’d danced more.” Not in ballrooms — in life. Uninhibited, joyful movement is underrated medicine. It’s stress relief, nervous system regulation, emotional expression.
The beautiful thing? Your body doesn’t care if you look ridiculous. It just wants to feel free. I’ve danced in scrubs after hard shifts. I’ve danced in the rain when no one was watching. Every time, I felt more alive.
Pro Tip: Make a playlist that makes your shoulders wiggle. Put it on during chores or low moods. Let your body lead — not your head.
7. Watch A Sunrise Start To Finish
Not just the Instagram snap. I mean, be fully there — before the light starts to show
Pick a quiet spot. Bring something warm to drink. Let your eyes adjust to the dark. Then watch as the sky slowly comes alive. It’s gentle, healing, and humbling.
During a rough patch in my twenties, I started doing this once a week. No music. No phone. Just silence and sunrise. It reminded me that new beginnings come whether we feel ready or not.
Pro Tip: Go without expectations. Some sunrises are cloudy. Still worth witnessing. Just like life.
8. Tell Someone You Love Them
Not in passing. Not with emojis. Really say it.
We hold back too often — out of pride, fear, or bad timing. But the truth is, love left unspoken can be one of the deepest regrets. I’ve watched people try to say it too late. I’ve also seen faces light up from hearing it in time.
Even if you’re not sure how they’ll react, say it. You’ll never regret loving out loud.
Pro Tip: Say it to more than one person. Friends. Siblings. Yourself. The words matter — and so does the tone.
9. Spend A Day In Silence
No talking. No phone. No background TV. Just quiet.
Sounds simple — until you try it. We’re so overstimulated that silence can feel uncomfortable at first. But stay with it. Underneath the noise, your body is asking for stillness.
I did this once on a solo cabin trip and realized I hadn’t really heard myself think in months. I laughed. I cried. I sat by a tree and felt whole again.
Pro Tip: Try it for 4–6 hours first. Turn off all devices. Just listen — to your thoughts, your breath, the wind. Let your nervous system exhale.
10. Learn Something That Scares You
Not skydiving scary — vulnerable scary. Like learning to swim at 40. Or taking a public speaking class. Or joining a pottery workshop even though you think you’re “bad at art.”
Growth lives just outside your comfort zone. I’ve seen patients light up from learning guitar in recovery. I’ve watched trauma survivors find joy in learning to dance again.
You don’t have to become “good” at it. The courage is the win.
Pro Tip: Pick something that excites and terrifies you. Make a promise: you’ll try it once — even if you fail.
11. Take A Break Before You Burn
Don’t wait for your body to shut down to finally rest. As a nurse, I’ve cared for too many people who ignored warning signs — headaches, insomnia, anxiety, constant colds — until their body forced a pause.
Burnout creeps in silently. You don’t have to earn your rest through suffering. One of the most life-changing things to experience before you die is learning to stop before it’s urgent.
Take that day off. Cancel that plan. Lie on the floor and do nothing. Rest is a right, not a reward.
Pro Tip: If you’re asking, “Do I really need a break?” — you probably do. Listen to your body before it starts shouting.
12. Walk Barefoot An Nature
There’s something deeply regulating about kicking your shoes off and walking through grass, sand, or forest. It might sound hippie-ish, but “grounding” isn’t just spiritual — it’s somatic.
After back-to-back shifts, I sometimes head straight to my garden, ditch my shoes, and just stand. No phone. No goal. Just connection. Within minutes, I feel more present in my body and less stuck in my head.
Your nervous system responds to this kind of sensory input — especially when it’s slow, steady, and rooted in the earth.
Pro Tip: Next time you’re stressed, find a patch of grass. Take off your shoes. Breathe in. You’ll feel the difference.
13. Sit With Someone Grieving
Not to fix. Just to sit. Hold space. Let their pain exist without trying to cover it in silver linings.
One of the most human things to experience before you die is witnessing someone else’s grief — and staying. I once sat for 45 silent minutes with a man who had just lost his wife. He later told me, “You saved me, not because of what you said, but because you didn’t run.”
Most people avoid grief because it’s uncomfortable. But sitting with it — your own or someone else’s — deepens your empathy in a way few other things can.
Pro Tip: You don’t need the right words. Just show up. Bring tea. Hold their hand. That is the healing.
14. Laugh Until You Cry
Not just a chuckle — I mean a belly-aching, face-hurting, tear-streaming kind of laugh. The kind that surprises you. The kind that heals.
I’ve seen laughter lower blood pressure in real time. It literally regulates breath, boosts immunity, and reduces pain. I once had a patient with terminal cancer who told jokes up until his final hours. He said laughing reminded him he was still alive.
Watch that silly movie. Hang out with your funniest friend. Let yourself be ridiculous. Joy is a powerful medicine.
Pro Tip: Bookmark what makes you laugh when you’re well — so you’ll know where to turn when you’re not.
15. Eat Without Guilt
Food should nourish you — not punish you. Yet I see so many people turn meals into math. Calories, macros, rules, restrictions.
One of the most freeing things to experience before you die is sitting down to a meal you love and letting it fill you — body, mind, and soul. For me, it’s warm bread with real butter. Or dark chocolate on a stressful night.
You are not bad for eating joyfully. In fact, it’s often part of healing.
Pro Tip: Eat one thing this week just because it makes you smile. No tracking. No “earning” it. Just pleasure. That’s enough.
16. Say No Without Explaining
One of the most empowering things to experience before you die? Learning to say “No, thank you” — and leaving it at that.
We’re trained to justify every boundary: “I’m sorry, I’m just really busy,” or “Maybe next time?” But you don’t owe explanations for protecting your peace.
I used to say yes to everything — double shifts, favors, dinners I didn’t want to attend. I burned out hard. Now, I practice guilt-free “no’s” like it’s a survival skill. And it is.
Setting boundaries isn’t selfish — it’s self-respect. When your nervous system feels safe, your health improves. Full stop.
Pro Tip: Try saying no to something this week without softening it. Watch how freeing it feels. Start small, stay firm.
17. Sleep Under The Open Sky
It doesn’t have to be fancy — just real. A tent in the hills. A rooftop under stars. Even a balcony with a blanket and a breeze.
There’s something ancient and grounding about sleeping under sky instead of ceilings. It reminds your body that you’re part of something bigger.
I did this once on a beach after a yoga retreat — just me, the waves, and the stars. No emails. No electricity. I woke up to birdsong, salty air, and a nervous system that hadn’t felt that calm in years.
Pro Tip: Start with a backyard campout or rural Airbnb. Unplug. No headphones. Let nature rock you to sleep.
18. Make Something With Your Hands
Not to sell. Not for productivity. Just for pleasure.
Paint. Bake. Garden. Knit. Build a birdhouse. Get messy with clay. I once helped a patient recovering from PTSD start painting again. She said her anxiety dropped more after 30 minutes of watercolor than in weeks of medication.
Creating things slows down your brain, re-engages the senses, and activates parts of the mind that trauma often silences. You don’t need to be “good” at it. You just need to begin.
Pro Tip: Choose a medium that feels tactile — dough, soil, canvas. Let your inner child play, without judgment.
19. Sit In A Place of Worship
Even if you’re not religious. Even if you’re skeptical. There’s something incredibly grounding about sacred silence in a place built for reflection.
After a long shift once, I wandered into an empty cathedral while traveling. The cool stone, flickering candles, soft echoes — I exhaled deeper than I had in weeks.
Spiritual or not, stillness has power. These places are designed to hold reverence. Sometimes, just sitting quietly is the most honest prayer.
Pro Tip: Visit a place of worship during its quiet hours. Don’t analyze it. Just sit. Notice what shifts inside you.
20. Tell Your Story Honestly
We all wear masks — nurse, mom, partner, achiever. But underneath it is a story that wants to be seen.
I once joined a writing circle where people shared their real lives: addictions, losses, dreams. No filters. I read something I hadn’t told anyone — and it cracked me open in the best way.
Sharing your story won’t just help you. It creates connection, compassion, and healing for others.
Pro Tip: Write your story just for yourself first. Then, if you feel called — share a slice with someone safe. You never know who it will touch.
21. Take Yourself On A Date
Not a “treat yourself” day. A real date. Get dressed. Make a reservation. Pick a movie. Go alone — and own it.
This may sound silly, but it’s one of the boldest things to experience before you die. When you date yourself, you stop waiting for someone else to affirm your worth. You become your own source of joy.
I once went to a cozy Italian place with a book and a glass of wine. I was nervous at first… until I caught myself smiling halfway through dessert. No pressure. No small talk. Just peace.
Pro Tip: Don’t bring distractions. Sit at the window. Order dessert. You deserve your own attention — without apology.
22. Apologize First, Without “But”
This one’s humbling. And powerful. Apologize to someone — without defending yourself, sugarcoating, or adding a “but.”
“I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t show up.”
I’ve seen relationships mended — and stress symptoms lessen — from this single act. The body carries emotional tension. When you release guilt cleanly, healing follows.
I once apologized to a friend after three years of distance. No excuses. No blame. Just truth. Her eyes softened. So did mine. We started over.
Pro Tip: If you’re scared, write it first. Speak it when you’re ready. Keep it short. Let the silence do the work.
23. Try A New Spiritual Practice
Even if you’re not “spiritual.” You don’t have to believe in crystals or chakras to light incense and pause.
Try journaling with intention. Pull a tarot card. Visit a sound bath. Meditate with a mantra. Pray — even if you don’t know who’s listening.
I’ve met people who found healing in drumming circles, full moon rituals, and silent meditation. Some called it woo. Others called it survival. All felt something shift.
As a nurse, I don’t care what you believe in — as long as you believe in something that returns you to yourself.
Pro Tip: Pick one new spiritual practice to try this month. Don’t analyze it. Just be present — and see what unfolds.
24. Get Rid of The “Goal” Clothes
We all have that pair of jeans. Or dress. Or “when I lose the weight” outfit. They sit quietly in closets, reminding us we’re not enough yet.
I say this with love and clinical experience: Let them go. They don’t inspire — they punish. I’ve seen women cry with relief after donating those “goal” clothes and dressing for who they are now.
Your body is not a before-and-after project. It’s your home. Nourish it. Adorn it. Accept it.
Pro Tip: Keep only what fits, flatters, and frees you. Donate the rest. Your peace is worth more than your wardrobe.
25. Do That Health Screening Early
Yes, this one’s less poetic — but just as life-changing.
Whether it’s a mammogram, colonoscopy, full blood work, or cervical screening — don’t wait. I’ve cared for patients who said, “If only I’d come in sooner.” That sentence stays with me.
Early screening doesn’t just save lives — it gives you more life. More years to travel, to forgive, to fall in love, to eat truffle pasta in Rome.
I get it — it’s scary. Vulnerable. Easy to delay. But it’s one of the most meaningful things to experience before you die: choosing your own aliveness.
Pro Tip: Book one overdue checkup today. Do it even if you’re scared. Especially if you’re scared.
26. Sit With Elders and Listen
Not to fix, not to teach — just to listen.
I’ve shared rooms with 90-year-olds who lit up telling stories of love, war, and simple joys like dancing in dusty kitchens. These stories don’t make headlines, but they hold humanity.
Too often, we treat older adults as invisible. But they carry lived wisdom that no algorithm or self-help book can match. Sitting with them, really being present, is an honor.
Ask questions like, “What’s one thing you wish you’d done more of?” Then, listen with your whole heart. You might walk away changed.
Pro Tip: Visit a nursing home or call an older family member this week. Ask about their favorite memory. Don’t rush it.
27. Volunteer Where It Hurts
Serve in a place that cracks your heart open. Homeless shelters. Crisis hotlines. Palliative care. It’s not easy — but it’s holy.
We talk a lot about purpose, but I’ve found it shows up most clearly where compassion meets discomfort. I volunteered at a trauma shelter once — just folding clothes and making tea — and came home feeling more human than I had in months.
Being useful without needing credit reshapes your nervous system. It shifts you from performance to presence.
Pro Tip: Choose one local org and sign up. Even one shift counts. Bring open hands — and an open heart.
28. Cry Without Apologizing
How many times have you said, “Sorry, I’m emotional”? Let’s rewrite that.
Crying is release, not weakness. I’ve watched tears lower blood pressure, soften breathing, and reconnect people with their body in ways meds couldn’t.
We’re taught to suppress, to hold it in. But letting it out — safely and honestly — is one of the most liberating things you can experience before you die.
I’ve cried at funerals, in bathrooms, in front of patients, and once — mid-pilates class. Not my finest form, but absolutely human.
Pro Tip: Next time the tears come, don’t apologize. Don’t distract. Just breathe through it. Your nervous system will thank you.
29. Watch Something Grow
Not figuratively. Literally. A plant. A tomato. A sourdough starter. Something that starts small and changes because of your care.
I started with one basil plant on my windowsill. Now I have a mini jungle — and every leaf brings me back to slowness.
Watching something grow reminds you that progress isn’t always loud or obvious. Some days you water. Some days you wait. Either way — you’re participating in life.
Pro Tip: Start with a small herb or indoor plant. Water it. Talk to it. Let it remind you that growth doesn’t need to be rushed.
30. Spend A Full Day Offline
No texts. No emails. No scrolling. Just you, your thoughts, and the real world.
Sound impossible? That’s a sign you really need it. I’ve done digital detoxes in the forest and in my apartment — both felt like hitting a reset button on my nervous system.
We lose so much presence in the noise. A full day offline helps you notice what your mind defaults to, what your heart misses, and what your body needs. It’s awkward at first. Then it’s medicine.
Pro Tip: Pick a Sunday. Turn off your phone for 24 hours. Journal, nap, cook, walk, breathe. Let your brain reboot.
31. Forgive Someone Who’ll Never Apologize
You won’t get closure from everyone. And the truth is — you don’t need it.
Some wounds stay raw because we’re waiting for the other person to say sorry, to acknowledge the hurt. But holding on often hurts you more than it protects you.
I’ve seen stress manifest as tension headaches, gut issues, insomnia — all tied to unresolved emotional weight. Forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened was okay. It means you’re done carrying it.
I once wrote a letter to someone who deeply hurt me, then burned it in my backyard. I never gave it to them. But something inside me shifted.
Pro Tip: Write the letter. Burn it, bury it, tear it up. Let it go — not for them, but for you.
32. Go Somewhere With No Plan
No bookings. No itinerary. Just your bag, your curiosity, and maybe a vague idea of direction.
As a nurse, I live by schedules. Alarms, appointments, protocols. That’s why my most freeing trip was the one where I booked a one-way ticket, stayed in local homes, and followed instinct over TripAdvisor.
Unstructured travel reconnects you with spontaneity — and with yourself. It teaches you to trust your gut, talk to strangers, and surrender control.
You don’t need a big budget. Even a solo day trip with no destination can crack you open.
Pro Tip: Pick one day. Don’t overthink. Get up, get out, and just go. Let the road show you who you are.
33. Say “I Love You” First
It’s bold. Vulnerable. And one of the bravest things to experience before you die.
I’m not just talking about romantic love. Say it to your best friend. Your sister. Your aging dad. Life moves fast, and I’ve seen too many people whisper those words at hospital bedsides, wishing they’d said them sooner.
Saying “I love you” first is an act of truth, not risk. You don’t lose anything by expressing love. You gain presence. You claim your feelings before time can steal the chance.
Pro Tip: Think of someone you love but haven’t told recently. Send the text. Make the call. Say it out loud — now.
34. Find Your Rest Ritual
Not just “sleep more.” I mean a ritual — something that signals your body it’s safe to power down.
Mine’s simple: peppermint tea, legs-up-the-wall pose, and ten minutes of slow breathing. It tells my nervous system: “You’re off duty now.”
So many of us lie in bed with racing thoughts, tense jaws, shallow breath. We’ve never taught our body how to transition from on to off. That’s where a ritual helps.
Create something that’s yours — a bath, a playlist, a journal, even five quiet minutes with a candle.
Pro Tip: Don’t wait until you’re exhausted. Build your ritual into daily life. Rest isn’t optional. It’s foundational.
35. Watch A Sunrise Alone
There’s something sacred about greeting the day before the world wakes up. No noise, no notifications — just you and the promise of something new.
When I was at my lowest, I made myself a deal: I’d watch the sunrise every day for a week. I’d sit with my coffee, breathe, and just be. By day three, I felt lighter. Calmer. Connected.
Sunrises aren’t about productivity. They’re about presence. That reminder that you’re still here. That you get to try again.
Pro Tip: Pick one morning this week. Set your alarm early. Bring a blanket. Watch the sky change. Say thank you.
36. Revisit A Childhood Joy
What lit you up before the world told you to be “productive”? Tree climbing? Jumping rope? Sketching cartoons on scrap paper? Go back to it — even just for an afternoon.
I picked up a hula hoop again in my thirties. I looked ridiculous. I also laughed harder than I had in months. That lightness? That’s healing. That’s you, beneath all the adult layers.
Childhood joys aren’t silly — they’re medicine. They reconnect you to parts of yourself that might have been silenced by stress, trauma, or routine.
Pro Tip: Make a short list of things you loved before age 10. Pick one this weekend and give yourself permission to play. No guilt. No rules. Just joy.
37. Dance Like No One’s Judging
Cliché? Maybe. But most clichés hold truth — and this one’s golden.
I’ve seen people cry mid-dance class, not because of sadness, but because they felt free in their body for the first time in years. Movement clears grief. It unsticks energy. It reminds you that you’re alive.
I once danced barefoot in the kitchen to Beyoncé after a 12-hour shift. No mirrors. No audience. Just me and the beat. It shifted something in my chest I didn’t even know was tight.
Pro Tip: Put on your favorite song today and dance for the full track. Let your body move like no one’s grading you. Feel what it unlocks.
38. Make A Gratitude List Daily
Not once. Not when things are perfect. Every day. Especially the hard ones.
Gratitude isn’t toxic positivity. It’s saying: “Even here, something still shines.” I once had a patient in hospice who said thank you for the orange popsicle I gave her. That moment rewired me.
Your brain can be trained to notice the good — but only if you give it a chance. Writing down 3–5 things daily builds resilience, shifts your outlook, and lowers stress over time.
Pro Tip: Keep a small notebook by your bed. Each night, jot down 3 things — tiny or huge — that made today better. Watch what happens over time.
39. Unfollow What Drains You
You don’t owe your attention to anyone — especially online.
I say this as someone who used to scroll past perfectly curated lives and feel… less. Less fit. Less successful. Less enough. And I knew they were filtered. Didn’t matter. My nervous system still felt attacked.
So I did a digital detox — and unfollowed anyone whose content made me feel smaller, not inspired. The peace that followed was instant.
Your feed affects your mental health. It’s not “just an app.” It’s a daily portal to your self-talk.
Pro Tip: Spend 15 minutes this week unfollowing, muting, or deleting anything that doesn’t support your peace. Make room for what uplifts.
40. Say Yes To Something Scary
The good kind of scary — the kind that makes your heart race, not your soul shrink.
That Pilates teacher training? That solo trip? That open mic night or a new relationship? Say yes even if your voice shakes. Even if your hands sweat.
Some of the most meaningful things to experience before you die are on the other side of a terrifying “yes.” I once applied for a wellness retreat I thought I was underqualified for. I got in. It changed my life.
Fear doesn’t always mean “stop.” Sometimes, it means “go — this matters.”
Pro Tip: What’s one thing you’ve been putting off because it feels big or scary? Say yes. Take step one. Start anyway.
41. Send A Handwritten Letter
In a world of instant everything, there’s something sacred about putting pen to paper. It takes time. It takes presence. And it lands differently.
Write to someone who made a difference in your life. A mentor, a childhood friend, a grandparent. I once mailed a letter to my old nursing professor — months later, she framed it. Said it made her cry.
Your words, in ink, matter. They become keepsakes. They say: I took time for you.
Pro Tip: Buy a beautiful card or stationary set. Keep a few stamps handy. Surprise someone with a handwritten note — just because.
42. Eat Something You Grew
Even if it’s just a tomato on a balcony. There’s deep joy in eating what your hands nurtured from seed to plate.
It slows you down. Reminds you that food isn’t just fuel — it’s life. I once grew cucumbers in recycled yogurt cups on my windowsill. The first bite was magic. Not because it was perfect — but because it was mine.
Even one herb plant or backyard veggie can reconnect you to the rhythm of nature and the miracle of nourishment.
Pro Tip: Start small — basil, mint, or cherry tomatoes. Water daily. When it’s ready, cook with it and savor every bite.
43. Swim In Open Water
A lake, a river, the sea. Nothing between you and the wild, wide world.
Swimming outdoors isn’t just exercise — it’s elemental. You feel small, free, alive. I’ll never forget the first time I swam under a waterfall — the cold hit my chest like truth.
Open water has a way of clearing out mental fog. It reminds you of your place in something bigger than your inbox.
Pro Tip: Choose a safe, clean spot and swim when the sun’s out. Go with someone. Let the water hold you — and reset you.
44. Witness A Birth
If you ever get the chance — take it. Whether it’s your child, a sibling’s, or even on video — birth changes you.
I’ve witnessed dozens as a nurse. Each one is loud, messy, and miraculous. Watching life begin — raw and primal — is one of the most powerful things you can ever see.
It reminds you that life isn’t sterile or perfect. It’s pain, breath, love, and arrival — all at once.
Pro Tip: If you’re invited to support someone during labor, be gentle, quiet, and present. You’re not just witnessing birth — you’re witnessing becoming.
45. Sleep Under The Stars
No roof. Just sky. Just stars. Just breath.
Camping, glamping, even a nap in your backyard — the point is to unplug and reconnect with something ancient. I once fell asleep under the stars in the desert. I woke up to silence and a sky full of constellations — it felt like I’d met the universe.
You realize how small you are. How vast life is. And how much beauty is always there — if you just look up.
Pro Tip: Pick a warm, clear night. Bring a sleeping bag or blanket. Turn off your phone. Let nature be your lullaby.
46. Create Something From Scratch
Bake bread. Write a poem. Build a birdhouse. The point isn’t perfection — it’s creation.
We spend so much time consuming — media, food, opinions. But making something with your hands or mind taps into joy. You don’t have to be an artist. You just have to begin.
I knitted a lopsided scarf once during a hard winter. It was awful. It was also the coziest thing I owned — because it carried the energy of effort.
Pro Tip: Choose one DIY or creative thing you’ve always wanted to try. Set aside a weekend. Mess up. Laugh. Keep going.
47. Take A Class Just For Fun
Not for your resume. Not for a side hustle. Just because you’re curious.
Pottery, salsa dancing, watercolor painting, even improv — learning for joy activates a totally different part of your brain (and soul). I once joined a calligraphy class with zero skill. Left with ink-stained fingers and a full heart.
It reminded me that growth doesn’t have to be tied to outcomes. Sometimes, it’s just about play.
Pro Tip: Check local workshops, libraries, or community centers. Don’t overthink it. Sign up. Show up. Enjoy the beginner magic.
48. Visit A Place That Scared You
Not unsafe — but unfamiliar. A place you avoided because it felt too different, too foreign, too far.
I used to fear solo travel. Then I booked a flight to Vietnam. Navigated night markets. Got lost on a motorbike. Laughed with strangers over pho. That trip cracked me open.
Fear shrinks us. Curiosity expands us. Go where your comfort zone ends — and your story begins.
Pro Tip: Think of a place you’ve always been nervous to go — and research it. Could you visit this year? Plan a safe, thoughtful trip.
49. Say No Without Explaining
Not rudely. Not defensively. Just no, as a full sentence.
“I can’t make it.”
“Thanks for asking, but I’ll pass.”
Saying no protects your time, energy, and boundaries. And guess what? You don’t need a spreadsheet of excuses to earn rest.
As a nurse, I’ve seen burnout start with “I should just say yes…” too many times. Your peace matters more than your people-pleasing.
Pro Tip: Practice with small things. Decline a meeting. Say no to an extra chore. Let the silence be enough. You owe no one an apology for protecting your energy.
50. Write Your Own Eulogy
It’s not morbid — it’s clarifying.
If your time came tomorrow, how would you want to be remembered? What values, stories, and moments would define your life?
I wrote my eulogy once during a retreat. It changed everything. Suddenly, I knew what mattered: kindness, presence, connection. Not titles. Not “likes.” Just love, lived out loud.
Pro Tip: Light a candle. Sit quietly. Write the story you’d be proud to leave behind. Then — go live that story.
51. Say Thank You More Often
To your partner. Your barista. Your body. Your past. Gratitude softens everything.
I whisper “thank you” before I eat, after I shower, when I open my eyes. It’s a way of marking presence. Of saying, I notice this moment. And I’m grateful to be here.
In the end, that’s what this whole list is about: being here, being awake, and choosing to live on purpose.
Pro Tip: End each day with one verbal “thank you.” Say it out loud. Feel it. Let that energy carry you forward.
Final Thoughts
So, here it is — your gentle, heartfelt reminder that life isn’t just about checking off achievements. It’s about experiencing it fully. With your body, your heart, your messy tears and wild laughter.
As a nurse, I’ve watched people leave this world with regrets — but also with joy, peace, and a sense of “I really lived.”
Please don’t wait for perfect timing. Start now. Pick one thing from this list. Then another. Then another.
Your life is happening. Let it be a good one.
