If you've been reading Ellis Tuesday for a while now you might remember my 30 before 30 lists – both the original and when I revisited it. And as I turned 33 this year, I thought that it might be nice to put together a 40 before 40 list. Again, it will be a mixture of somewhat bigger life goals and more achievable ones. I also found that my goals and priorities changed as I moved through my twenties, so no doubt the same will happen with this list. But, with around six and a half years to go, here's what I'm working with at the moment.
I'm even thinking of making it into a bit of a series over on my Instagram and dedicating a Reel to each goal that I check off. I think that could be a really nice way to commemorate them.
But without further ado, here is my 40 before 40 list – and you never know, it might inspire you too...
Some of the smaller/more achievable goals
Book into a hotel for a long weekend with the sole intention of reading as many books as possible - I mean, doesn't this sound like the dream?
Learn how to make my favourite takeaway dishes at home - Not only will this save me money in the long run, but imagine being able to have them any time or day that I want. Vegetable pakora and salt and chilli chicken and chips are at the top of my list to master first.
Find an at-home workout routine that works for me (and stick to it) - I've loved discovering reformer pilates and becoming a bit fitter, however, the price of the classes can quickly add up. I want to find a routine that I can do from home that actually motivates me to work out more than once a week.
Visit Hay-on-Wye - A town dedicated to books and bookshops. How have I not visited already?
Finally get some items of clothing altered - I have some lovely items, which are sadly just a bit too big for me, that have been sitting in a bag ready to be taken to get altered for years now. Let's see if adding it to this list makes me more accountable.
Do the splits - A bit random but I've been working on my flexibility at reformer pilates and this would be a fun goal to check off my list as I get older.
Take a makeup lesson - Even though I get to try lots of new beauty products, I tend to gravitate back towards my daily bag of makeup. I'm normally a concealer, brows and mascara kind of gal, but I'd like to find a skin tint that works for me and to switch things up a bit more generally, especially for nicer events.
Explore more of the UK - After a little overnight trip to Manchester earlier this year, it's got me itching to explore more of the UK. Even a few weekends away would be brilliant.
Hit an average of 10,000 steps every month - While there are some days and when I'm travelling when I can reach 20,000 steps a day, other rainy days when I don't leave the house drag my monthly average down. I've managed it a few months this year, but would love to make it happen every month of the year for an entire year.
Take a photo every day for a year - This has carried over from my 30 before 30 list and would be such a nice way to remember a year before it flashes by.
Find a good pair of waterproof trainers - It's been years since I wore a pair of trainers, which means I'm either in sandals in the warm weather or boots in the rain and colder months. I just haven't found a good pair of waterproof trainers and this really is an absolute must as I had boots on last week when it was raining and my feet were sweltering. If anyone has any ideas for brands to try, I am all ears.
Have a movie marathon day - With Scream being my favourite movie series of all time, I'd love to just spend a weekend watching them back to back. Maybe one horrible October day in the lead up to Halloween would work.
Read 10 non fiction books - I really don't read non fiction at all, so I'd love to push myself out of my comfort zone a bit. Unwell Women and Ultra-Processed People are at the top of my list and sound like good ones to get me going.
Do something fun every week in January - January is my least favourite month by a mile and I always find it to be a real slog to get through. So, I'd love to make a point of doing something to brighten up the bleakest month.
Visit a cat cafe - Every time I walk past Maison de Moggy in Edinburgh I dream of one day going inside. I could even coincide this with my January goal above to make that week extra special.
Go to an open air cinema during the summer - Whether it's one of the free pop ups or a ticketed event, this would be a lovely way to spend a summer's day or evening. I might see if there are any interesting ones happening when I'm in next in London.
Be a tourist in my own city - I don't know the last time that I actually explored Glasgow and visited some of the tourist hotspots, above and beyond the city centre and a bit of Byres Road. Taking a full day off and going to places like the Botanics, Necropolis and the Hunterian Art Gallery sounds good.
Have dessert at Gleneagles Townhouse - I've been to the Gleneagles Townhouse for a few events, however, I've yet to sample some of what look to be incredible desserts. I mean, they even have a dessert room as part of their Sunday brunch, which sounds like my idea of heaven.
Visit a romance book shop - From Book Lovers Bookshop in Edinburgh to Saucy Books in London, I can't believe I've not visited either yet given that it is my go-to and favourite genre.
Some of the medium sized/pricier goals
Book in for a facial on the regular - I had a Hydrafacial at the Aesthetics Club earlier this year and my skin has honestly never looked glowier or better than it did for about a week after. I think once every season sounds like a good way to spread them out without bankrupting myself.
Invest in (and use) an LED face mask - For a similar reason, an LED face mask has been at the top of my skincare wishlist for a few years now. If you've tried one that you really rate, do let me know in the comments below.
See Chappell Roan or Sabrina Carpenter live - I've had both on repeat for the last year or so and I would love to see either or both the next time that they tour.
Stay at Soho Farmhouse - Do I have a Soho House membership? No. But, have I always wanted to spend a night at Soho Farmhouse? Yes. It just looks so relaxing.
Have a full spa day - In a similar vein, while I've had massages and facials over the years, I've never had a full spa day where I can just switch off and enjoy the facilities.
Do a solo trip to Copenhagen - I have seen so many people visit the Danish city in the past year or so and it looks absolutely incredible. I think this will 100% be my next solo trip.
Visit Disneyland Paris - Am I still a big kid at heart? Yes. And instead of trekking across the Atlantic, a trip to DLP sounds much more doable. All I can hope is that I bump into Remy or The Aristocats when I'm there.
Go to a movie premiere - I have been invited to a few press screenings, but to be at the same premiere as the actors would make my year.
Book in for a personal shopper experience - I've seen this advertised at John Lewis for years now and as someone who feels like my autumn/winter outfits are very same-y, it would be nice to get some professional advice for putting together a few new outfits.
Plan a city break - Even though Copenhagen is technically a city break, I'd like to go for at least 4 nights. However, two nights in Budapest, Amsterdam, Lisbon or Paris sound ideal.
Get scrapbooking - I do keep a digital diary on my Day One app and it's always nice to look back and see what I've done or achieved, but it would be nice to commemorate my travels in a scrapbook. And it's a way to craft that doesn't feel too overwhelming either.
Take another trip to NYC - New York City will always be one of my favourite places on earth. And even though I've been four times now, I'd love to go back again before I turn 40.
Celebrate my birthday somewhere sunny - As a February baby, this has been a goal for many years now. Even on the nicest day here in the UK it still isn't great, so imagine sunning myself by the pool on one of the coldest months of the year here. Sign me up!
Get my teeth professionally whitened - Now, I'm not sure if this is even possible, as I've had gum recession in the past. But, my teeth are naturally quite yellow. My dentist guarantees me that I have strong, healthy teeth (I've never had a filling), but they do bother me. So, I'd like to see what can be done sooner rather than later.
Go to one of the ATP tennis matches - I'm forever gutted that I never saw my all-time favourite tennis player Rafael Nadal play in person, but tennis is the one sport that I follow quite religiously. So, to be in the crowd at one of the ATP matches would be incredible.
Some of the bigger goals
Buy my first home - Pretty self explanatory, but especially as a homes, interiors and gardens journalist, this is so overdue.
Have a separate home office - And I can't wait to have a separate office space instead of my bedroom feeling like it's closing in on me, like it is at the moment.
Build built-in bookshelves - Again, this is such a dream of mine. I've long been inspired by Kate's beautiful arched bookshelves and this would be a bigger priority than a new kitchen or bathroom in my first home.
Adopt a cat or a dog - Once I am a home owner and settled in, I would love to adopt a furry friend.
Write a will - This isn't really too big a goal, yet I have been putting it off for so long. Again, hopefully writing it here will make me tackle it ASAP.
Realise that it's okay to rest - As a freelancer I hate to see empty gaps in my calendar and because of this I often over-commit and end up working full-time day shifts while having to work evenings and weekends on commissions. There have been months when I've only had one or two full days off, and that includes my weekends. So, I really want to make an effort to allow myself to have fully work-free days, in the middle of the week, or essentially not just reserving rest for holidays.
So, there you have it. With around six and a half years to go. Let's see how I get on.
Do you have a 30 before 30 or 40 before 40 list? If so, what is on yours? And do we share any similar goals?
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