Why a Daredevil Bucket List Before 40 Just Makes Sense!

What is it about approaching your 40th birthday that suddenly makes us reassess our life choices and start stepping away from the slippers and sofa that we have been so accustomed to for a while!

Turning 40, for me, wasn’t just about marking a milestone. It was about getting my act together, drawing a line under old habits, and deciding what I actually wanted the next chapter to look like.

No more watching life go by as the kids grew up, it was about me and mine doing fun things together that we would reminisce on for years to come, and that meant trying new things and experiencing life, instead of scrolling past it.

Some might say that running marathons, doing crossfit or attempting to swim the channel might hit that itch but for me, I want simple experiences that fit into my family’s everyday life that reward me with crazy, happy memories. 

This was the perfect opportunity to turn a big milestone birthday into memories and not just more stuff with a real conscious thought that I also want to be having these types of adventures while I still can and have the ability to!

If that meant taking on so called ‘daredevil’ experiences, then so be it.

What Counts as a “Daredevil” Experience?

A daredevil experience certainly doesn’t have to mean throwing yourself out of a plane or doing something extreme just for the sake of it. For most, it’s about doing something that nudges you outside your comfort zone and gives you that rush of “can you believe I just did that.”

For some, that might be about heights, speed or adrenaline. For others, it’s facing a fear, trying something completely new, or putting themselves in a situation they’d normally talk themselves out of. 

What makes an experience daredevil isn’t how it looks to other people, it’s how it feels to you and that’s why daredevil experiences tend to fall into a few broad categories:

• Fear facing experiences
  Anything that challenges a personal fear, whether that’s heights, water, speed or losing control are often the moments that feel the most rewarding afterwards.
• Adrenaline fuelled activities
  Experiences designed to get your heart racing are about the thrill as much as the achievement.
• First timers
  Doing something you’ve never tried before can be just as daring as something extreme. New environments, unfamiliar skills, or experiences you’ve always been curious about all count toward achievement!

Creating a daredevil list before 40 doesn’t need to look the same for everyone. It can be a mix of big, bold experiences and smaller challenges that still feel meaningful. The goal isn’t to scare yourself senseless, it’s just to say yes to moments you’ll remember long after the nerves fade.

If you’re looking for inspiration across all of these categories, the 40 Things to Do Before 40 for the Ultimate Daredevil list is a great place to start.