40 experiences every gentleman should have before he’s 40
Words: Gentleman's Journal
Before you hit 40, it’s worth trying to tick off as many awesome, once-in-a-lifetime and life-changing experiences. Why? Because quite frankly gents, you only live once, and the truth is many men don’t actually live their lives to fullest. So here’s a pretty awesome bucket list…
1. Get a speeding ticket in a car that was worth it
2. Traverse a country with a pack of sled dogs
Photo by Joe Capra
3. Sail a boat from one country to another
4. Step into the ring and go 10 rounds with someone
Photo by John Rooney
5. Help someone less fortunate, but never tell a soul
Photo by Chris Jackson
6. Spend a week completely unplugged from the world
Photo by Fabrice Coffrini / AFP-Getty
7. Heli-ski on a mountain that isn’t overrun with trust fund kids
8. See a great white shark up close and personal
9. Create a signature cocktail, or get one named after you
10. Grow a full face of hair, just the once
11. Own a tailored bespoke suit
Photo by Adam Fussell for Gentleman’s Journal
12. Buy someone an engagement ring, without them knowing, and get their size right
13. Watch a film from every decade
14. Live in a foreign country for a year, ideally where you don’t speak the language
Shanghai Old Town
15. Eat a meal you hunted and grew yourself
16. Write something – a story, song or poem – regardless of whether or not it will be any good
17. Become a true expert at something
18. Make amends with that person you have long begrudged
19. Do your bit for the environment
Photo by Getty
21. Do the sahara desert trek
Photo by Adam Fussell for Gentleman’s Journal
22. Complete a three day silent retreat
23. Take the Trans-Siberian railway
24. Volunteer in a part of the world that you’ve never been to
Photo by Adnan Abidi
25. Learn to cook one dish like a Michelin star chef
26. Go to Trinidad and Tobago and take part in Carnival
Photo by Patrick Bennett
27. Take a Harley Davidson on a road trip around America
28. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Photo by Karam Puri
29. Go back to university and do what you wanted to do the first time
Photo by Andrew Dunn
30. Learn how to fly a plane
31. Become fluent in a language
32. Learn to play a musical instrument
33. Watch the sun rise somewhere incredible
Photo by Santuario Itsukushima
34. Bungee jump off the tallest bridge or building in the world
35. Go to Burning Man at least once
Photo by Trey Ratcliff
36. Explore a city that you’ve never been to without a map, and without asking for help
37. Travel to Iceland and see the Northern Lights
Photo by Larry Gerbrandt
38. Crash an incredible party
39. Buy the one thing you’ve always wanted to, but never had the guts to
40. Make it to Everest Base Camp
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