~ Starting Fresh at 36 ~
I close my eyes…
And I remember what it was like to be six, sixteen, and twenty-six years old. Sixteen year old me was not cute, had baggy jeans from Hot Topic, and was not vibing with the conservatism of the Texas Panhandle. By twenty-six, I was Cameron Diaz in Bad Teacher. Smart, but a 7:30am start time was not my jam. Shout out to my first period debate (meditation) class!
Ah, 36! If you would have asked younger me, I’d have said I’d have it all figured out by now. A palace, three poodles, and a personal invitation to Elton John’s garden party, at the very least. But somehow, the reality is… a tad different.
Nonetheless, instead of a midlife (or rather, mid-30s) crisis, I’m choosing to embrace the fabulousity that’s yet to come and sharing with you my 36-item bucket list for seizing the coming years.
Swim in the Hudson Bay — Road trip! It’s going to be cold af, and I’m going to remember this polar plunge forever.
Road trip through Chile — I want to hike around Patagonia and also swim in the pool at San Alfonso del Mar. It’s enormous!
Get a verified blue check on social media — Let’s get famous! Glow-up era here we come!
Get shredded and have abs — I know this is vain, but just go with it…
Grow a thriving garden — Think Secret Garden level. No weeds, tons of vegetables, and tons of flowers!
Take a hot air ballon ride — In all reality, this seems hella scary to me. But YOLO!
Get a tattoo — It’s time to get some ink on this body!
Host a “dinner in the dark” event — You know those places where they blindfold you and you eat in the dark? It just sounds fun!
Host retreats — I had this idea of hosting retreats at my bed and breakfast in Jamaica. I still think this is a good idea.
Audition for a reality television show — Would I be the villain of the season? Probably not, but I think I would enjoy entertaining people and this would make a fun career move.
Build something with my hands — I need to develop some type of carpentry skills and building stuff sounds fun. Hmm, how about a picnic table.
Write a memoir — I think I will call it, “Magnets, Hats, and Memories” and share some of my travel stories… especially the wild ones from leading teen tours.
Spend a whole summer in Provincetown or Fire Island — Will I get invited to a party? Will I relax and get a tan? All these are mysteries waiting to unfold in the future.
Do a two-week trek through the Gokyo Ridges of Nepal — I’ve been wanting to trek through Nepal for quite some time, and it’s a must in the next decade.
Embark on a Spiritual Pilgrimage — Perhaps the Camino de Santiago?
Learn how to play golf — I think older Ben will appreciate that mid-30s Ben learned to play golf.
Be in a medicine commercial — Yes, I find it highly problematic that we advertise medicine on the television in the USA. However, I’ve always wanted to be the middle age man doing normal things in a medicine commercial.
Experience the Northern Lights — Alaska is the last state I need to visit. Anyone want to road trip there and marvel at the skies?
Scuba dive in Sri Lanka — Imagine taking a train through Sri Lanka and hanging out at the beach everyday. Ahhh, the fishies are so excited for my pending visit.
Learn Spanish — I know the basics, and now it’s time to commit to learning the language. Should I move to Spain?
Be a keynote speaker at a conference - About what? I’ll let you know when it happens.
Join a book club — Less TV and more reading. I’m sure it’s better for my mind.
Make out with a celebrity — Why not?! Maybe it’s for a movie, maybe it’s not. Maybe it’s a D-List celebrity… I dunno
Floss on a daily basis — I want the dentist to be impressed!
Get on a podcast — I have a face for radio.
Skinny dipping in the Mediterranean — Sun, sea, and a touch of scandal. Who’s joining me?
Establish a scholarship — Why is getting an education so expensive? I’m here to help. What should my criteria be?
Go on a blind date — Dear friends, don’t set me up with someone shady.
Find a TikTok dance partner — Our dances aren’t going to be good (at first), but the memories are going to be magical! Once a week we practice and record.
Volunteer at an animal shelter — I love my hound dog, Beethoven, and why not help the animals. Cue the Sarah McLachlan music!
Finish the 18,000 piece puzzle — It’s halfway done and I’m perhaps this becomes a Monday night party? Anyone want to play?
Hike a portion of the Great Wall of China — Let’s go!
Send hand written love letters — This seems romantic and who doesn’t love a good ol’ handwritten love letter. Also, I just love getting mail that’s not a bill.
Become a sommelier — I love wine and have always wanted to own a vineyard. Why not learn to appreciate wine a little more.
Hike Mount Kilimanjaro and enjoy Tanzania — After the hike, we could go on a safari and then end the trip in Zanzibar.
Build a website for Hunky Neighbor — I need to move this blog post there. Medium is cool, however, I need people to come to my own website.
As I embark on this vibrant voyage through my 36 hues of life, I cordially invite you, dear reader, to join me on these escapades. Whether you have wisdom to share, are seeking an adventure buddy, or simply wish to swap stories, my digital door is always open. Don’t hesitate to slide into my DMs and let’s embark on these adventures. Because, after all, life’s greatest adventures are those shared with others. Let’s create a tapestry of memories, one shade at a time..