Life is the most beautiful gift we have, but you never know how long you have until it’s over. That’s why I’m a big fan of doing things you want to do when you get the chance. Don’t wait for “Tomorrow” or “Someday”. If you get the opportunity today, then do it today.
Here’s a list of crazy things that I want to do before I die, and maybe we can even do some of these things together (who knows).
1. Bungee Jumping
There’s nothing like attaching an elastic cord to your feet and jumping off a bridge head-first. Stare death in the face as you see the ground coming closer and closer to you, until you finally feel the relief of slowing down as the elastic cord stretches to its maximum and pulling you back up.
2. Go Skydiving
Just like bungee jumping, except this time you have no elastic cord, and you are jumping from MUCH higher up. Luckily you can do a tandem dive with an instructor, so you don’t need to worry about when to open the parachute and how to steer it. I think this is the ultimate “Face your Fears” kind of activity you can do.
3. Shark Cage Diving
The ocean’s most feared predator – the Great White Shark. So it sounds like a brilliant idea then to submerge yourself in the ocean in a cage, with these evil killer fish swimming all around you? Definitely an experience you need to have once in your lifetime.
4. Jump Off a High Cliff Into The Ocean
This is a lot more tame than the 3 things listed above. There are plenty of locations with beaches all around the world where there are nice high cliffs you can climb and from which you can dive off into the ocean. It’s lot’s of fun to do, and the higher the cliff, the scarier it is. Make sure that there are no rocks in the water beneath you, and be careful not to slip while climbing the cliff.
5.Scuba Diving - Done!!
For me one of the strangest experiences is to be able to take full breaths deep under water. It just feels so strange and unnatural, yet at the same time totally awesome. It’s said that the best scuba diving experience is the great barrier reef or Palawan.
6. Windsurfing - Done!!
The surfboards with a big sail on them. It’s very different to normal surfing, but it’s super fun. The first time I tried, I could only go in one direction (with the wind, away from the shore). I had to sit on my board for 3 hours before the lifeguard came to fetch me in his little speedboat, and it took me a few lessons to learn how to use the sail to go in both directions.
8. Surfing - Will do this next week!!
One thing you have to experience is to stand up on a surfboard. It’s really not that easy, but once you get the hang of it, surfing is really an experience that’ll set you free.
9. Go On a Safari
I’m sure you’ve seen footage of safari’s on television, but it’s a much better experience in real life. The best is to go with a friend or a group of friends, book a few days at a game lodge and take a safari out into the wild park. You’ll go in a bus or a jeep, together with a guide and ranger, and you’ll see all the wild, amazing and dangerous animals you’ve only seen in the Zoo or on TV.
10. Take a Ride In a Hot Air Balloon
You’ll get to have a picnic in a small basket under a huge balloon, with a few of your friends, while floating hundreds of feet above the ground and seeing how beautiful the world is from up there. I almost experienced it but my trip got cancelled last minute due to weather conditions, and I never booked another trip. I hope I can do this next year.
11. Ride a Motorcycle (Wheelie If You’re Brave)
Motorcycles give you a huge sense of freedom and invincibility. The rush of acceleration on a powerful motorcycle is insane, and very easy to get addicted to. You have to ride a motorcycle at least once in your life, but if you’re not experienced with it, do it in an empty parking lot and avoid the busy roads.
12. Handbrake Turn a Car While Traveling Over 30 mph (50km/h)
If you’ve ever watched The Fast and The Furious, or heard about drifting, this is as close as you can get. Find an empty wide street or empty parking lot, accelerate to 30 mph and just pull the handbrake while steering to the left or the right at the same time. Going sideways in your car is lots of fun. You can even take an extreme driving course where they teach you how to do controlled skidding and handbrake turns (so you don’t crash your car or kill someone).
13. Drive a Lamborghini or Ferrari
A Lamborghini and Ferrari are pretty much the most exclusive and expensive cars that money can buy, and only reserved for some very select individuals who earn enough to afford to own one. Fortunately, you can rent one for a few hours for just a fraction of the retail price, and it’s something that you need to experience. The refinement, the raw power, the acceleration. And remember to take plenty of videos and photos.
14. Get In a Physical Fight - Done!!
You’ll never know what you’re made of until you get into a real (physical) fight. Can you throw a punch? Can you block or avoid a punch thrown at you? Can you knock someone out? It’s always better to avoid physical fights, but I can tell you that you learn a heck of a lot more from 5 minutes in a street fight than years of martial arts training in a dojo.
15. Go Camping - Done!!
Go camping, out in the wild. Take a friend or a group of friends, pack some great food and head out into the moutains for a 2-3 day journey. Get back to nature, and forget about technology. If you’re like me, you’ll enjoy the relaxation and the lack of technology.
16. Spend a Night Sleeping Under The Stars - Done!!
Combine this with you camping trip and you’ll kill two birds with one stone. You have to experience sleeping in the open air, just looking up at the stars and universe above you, wondering if other life exists, and feeling so lucky to be alive. To be part of this big world and huge planet.
17. Go On Holiday With Your Best Friend
A week or two on a holiday with only your best friend is something you must experience (multiple times if possible) in your lifetime. No parents, no work, no responsibilities. Just you and your friend, taking an adventure or relaxation in a foreign country. Ideally you want to go for 2-3 months, and backpack through multiple cities and countries, but even a week or two in a beach location is fantastic.
18. Take a Cross-Country Road Trip With Your Friends
Invite 2-3 of your friends and plan to take a road trip of a few days. You don’t necessarily need to have a plan or destination, but it’s wise to map out a couple of places where you can easily find a hotel to stay the night, so that you don’t end up on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. Pack supplies, bring clothes and have lots of fun together. Make sure to let someone responsible know where you’re going, and take your cellphone with you.
19. Rent a Motorcycle And Tour Through Europe In The Summer
This is something high on my list of things to do before I die. Europe is fantastic, because there are so many different countries, cultures and continents packed closely together. In the summer it’s very easy to travel with just a backpack, sleep in hostels (or hotels if you can afford it) and go wherever you want to go. On a motorcycle, you have all the freedom you want. Start in Amsterdam, drive down through France, Portugal and end up in Spain. I think this type of trip would be even more fun with a good friend.
20. Learn To Do A Standing Somersault
A friend of mine impressed me with this trick at a party when I was like 13. I’m too scared to try because it just looks difficult, but I’d love to master this before I die (And I guess I’ll have to do it before I’m too old).
21. Go To a Nightclub On Your Own And Make Some New Friends
All of us get way too comfortable in our daily routines. We hang out with the same people, frequent the same places and even stay stuck in the same jobs for years on end. Step out of your comfort zone, pick a night and head out to the city on your own. Hit up some bars and nightclubs and you’ll be forced to talk to people, because you’ll look like a creeper weirdo if you just stand in the corner by yourself. You’ll be surprised how much fun it can be!
22. Throw A HUGE Party For All Your Friends
I’m never really one for hosting parties, since many people are ungrateful and your house gets trashed. However, you should throw a HUGE party for all your friends at least once in your lifetime. I mean HUGE as in hundreds of people, tons of food and plenty of alcohol.
23. Witness A Final Match Of A World Cup Event, Live
Just having had the soccer world cup in South Africa last year, it’s an absolutely unique experience that you should have at least once. It doesn’t really matter which sport, but be there amongst the crowd in the stadium to witness one of the final games of the event in person. The vibe is totally amazing.
24. Visit the Eiffel Tower (give that special someone a kiss!!)
Since I was little, the Eiffel Tower has always appealed to me. It’s just a giant steel structure in the middle of Paris, and it’s something you have to set your own two feet on. You can take the elevator or you can take the stairs (good exercise), and there is a magnificent view of the city once you get to the top. There are also some sweet souvenir shops and places to buy snacks.
25. The Pyramids of Egypt
These mysterious structures built hundreds of years ago have a serious appeal for me. There are just so many unanswered questions like “What were they really for” and “How was it possible to build them” and “Why are they aligned with the stars”. It’s just something I have to witness with my own eyes.
26. The Statue of Liberty
Hardly a wonder of the world, but still interesting enough for me to make a trip halfway across the world.
27. The Stone Henge
The Stone Henge is one of the wonders of the world, and like the pyramids, holds a sense of mystery and awe. I’m pretty sure that it was built by people, but the slabs of stone are so big and heavy that it was almost impossible to create the Stone Henge by hand. Were there aliens involved?
28. The Grand Canyon
Also considered one of the wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon situated in the USA is something that you have to see with your own eyes. If you’re adventurous you’ll take a guided tour by foot. If you can afford it, how about a helicopter flight?
29. The Colosseum in Rome
Back in the days when the Roman Empire was thriving, the Colosseum is where they had the famous Gladiator fights. It’s a reminder of how things were back then, and how empires can rise and fall.
30. .The Great Wall of China
Build hundreds of years ago to protect the Chinese empire from intruders, the Great Wall of China is the only man-made structure visible from outer space. Yeah, you gotta see it, and you have to walk on it (go for a run if you’re a fitness freak).
31. Witness the Northern Lights in Alaska
Apparently the Northern Lights is the most spectacular phenomenon you can ever see in our world. Way out from the popular holiday destinations, Alaska is where you need to be in order to see the Northern Lights.
32. Las Vegas (get laid? haha)
With all it’s charm, money, parties and interesting people, Las Vegas is a must-visit destination. I guess it’s more of a place to go crazy than anything else, but if you keep your head cool it’s a fantastic place to see all the craziness and enjoy it. Great food, amazing clubs, interesting people and an out of this world experience.
33. Have Lunch in Monaco
Monaco is a tiny little country on the coast next to France, and it’s full of the wealthiest people in the world. Home of the famous Grand Prix races, you have to do yourself a favor and have lunch in Monaco (or stay for a few days if you can afford it). The cars will blow your mind, the yachts will leave you speechless and the whole atmosphere is completely different to anything you’ve seen before.
34. Live In A Foreign Country For At Least 3 Months - Done!!
Live in a foreign country for at least 3 months. Experience a different culture, learn a different language, meet more people and see what it’s really like to live in another part of the world. Holidays for a week or two are nice, but you don’t really get a true account of what the life is like in that country until you actually make it your home for at least 3 months.
35. Live On An Island For At Least a Month - Done!!
Experience the island lifestyle. Become a beach bum, surf, snorkle and have lazy days on beautiful beaches with aqua-blue waters. You can even work on an online business, start a blog or write a book while on your island getaway.
36. Experience the Rio Carnival
I’ve always wanted to see Brazil, but the yearly Rio Carnival just removes any doubt of me wanting to go there. It’s done, pack your bags, we’re going to Rio next year! I wish!
37. Hike The Inca trail in Peru
I’m fascinated by ancient civilizations. It’s always so interesting to imagine what it was like back then, and how a civilization like the Inca’s was so advanced so many hundreds of years ago. You can do it from a history book, but it doesn’t compare to seeing it with your own eyes.
38. Play a Game of Poker (And Bluff a Hand)
The game of poker goes back further than your great grandfather could remember, and unlike what many people think, is a game of skill more than luck. Don’t get addicted and don’t bet a huge amount of money, but learn the rules and play at least one game in your life. Do a “bluff” and experience the feeling of knowing you pretended to have something but you didn’t, and it allowed you to take your opponents money.
39. Kiss A Total Stranger - Done!!
Some people do this every weekend and others have never done it in their life. It’s just something you have to cross off your list and experience. How to do it? I’ll teach you. lol
40. Go On a Blind Date - Done!!
Have your friend set you up or meet someone through an online dating site. Either way, you just have to go out and meet someone you’ve never met in person in your life. It may go well and it may go as bad as it can go, but enjoy it and have fun. The less expectations you both have, the greater the chance of being pleasantly surprised.
41. Go Skinny-Dipping In The Ocean
Just the way Mother Nature intended it to be. No clothes, fully naked and into the (hopefully) warm water. It’s even more fun with a group of friends (guys and girls together). Just make sure you don’t get caught.
42. Go To A Strip-Club
Yeah I’m suggesting you experience this once in your lifetime. Whether you’re male of female, it’s just such a different world to see girls taking their clothes off as a profession. What’s even more interesting is how much some of these girls make doing what they do. Some earn more in a day than most normal jobs pay in a month.
43. Sleep With Someone 10 Years Older Than You
Variety is the spice of life. It’s easy to find someone 10 years older than you that you find attractive, and it’s a lot of fun for both of you. You’ll have the spark and enthusiasm, and she’ll (or he’ll) have the experience to rock your world.
42. Sleep With Someone 10 Years Younger Than You
The same as above but in reverse. Note, you’ll have to be at least 28 to pull this off without doing anything illegal.
43. Sleep With A Model Or Someone Famous
It’s not as hard as you think to hook up with someone incredibly gorgeous and mildly famous (and it’s enormously satisfying and fun)
44. Menage a Trois
Have a menage a trois, yeah it’s naughty and wild, but definitely something worth experiencing. Best done in your youtful days before you get married.
45. Make Love On A Beach
Pack a picknick, head out to a remote beach and after a day of lazing in the sun and some great snacks, make love to your partner right there and then.
46. Get Married
Even though I’m not a big fan of marriage (it’s so demanded by society and social conditioning and changes things too much), it’s something that everyone should do at least once. Heck, Hugh Hefner almost got married when he was 85!
47. Get A Professional Photo Portfolio
Get a professional photo portfolio done of yourself. In today’s time it’s so easy to take photographs and print them, why not do it professionally and have some beautiful photo’s you can hold on to for the rest of your life, and show your children and grandchildren what you looked like when you were their age.
48. Have Your Heart Broken - Done!! Done!! Done!!
Have your heart broken by someone you’re crazy about, and get over it. Be happy for the good times you had together, and be big enough to let it go and move on. Don’t carry hurt in your heart, what’s the point?
49. Help Someone Without Wanting Anything In Return
Instead of always wanting something in return for helping someone, help someone without wanting anything in return. Go out of your way to make a difference, break a sweat, use some of your resources and make that person’s load lighter. Their appreciation alone is worth your effort.
50. Be A Teacher
No matter what you’ve done or accomplished in life, you have some wisdom that you can share with others. Teach someone what you’re learned from being alive, and share your greatest tips, tricks and secrets how to make the most of the time we have on this planet.
51. Discover Your Life’s Purpose
You may think that your life sucks, and that you don’t have a purpose, but you’re wrong. There is something in this world that you were born to do, and you should do what you can to discover your life’s purpose.
52. Get Your Life In Shape
Declutter, cut out bad friends, drop poor relationships. Quit doing the things you hate, break bad habits. In short, get your life in shape.
53. Make A Difference To The World
We’re all consuming the world’s resources, destroying nature and poisoning the very planet we depend on to sustain our existence. Make a difference to the world, no matter how small. Every contribution helps.
54. Spend A Week In A Meditation Retreat - Done!!
Take a break from the stress and pressure of life and spend a week in a meditation retreat. Find total peace and learn to calm your mind. Learn more about yourself and discover awareness of the world and energy around you.
55. Watch The Sun Rise/The Sun Set - Done!!
71. Sell Everything You Own And Travel
73. Take A Vow Of Silence For A Day
75. Do Something Stupid - Done!!
Watching the sun rise is a beautiful sight. You don’t even have to get up that early to do it, and it’ll guarantee a smile on your face for the rest of the day.
Have a cocktail with a friend or lover while watching the sun set at the end of the ocean. Or just being out in the open, and watching the sky being set on fire by the sun’s setting rays.
56. Plant A Tree
Not only will a tree outlive you, it’ll make the world a prettier place and help provide more fresh oxygen. Every day people are cutting down thousands if not tens of thousands of trees around the world. Make a difference and plant a tree instead of cutting it down.
57. Own a Pet (And Take Good Care of It) - Done!!
Dogs, cats, fish or even a pet snake. There are lots of animals that you can have as a pet. Personally I love dogs, but they require a lot of attention for a good 10-15 years of your life. Make sure you can handle the commitment, and enjoy the love that a little creature can give to you.
58. Learn a Foreign Language
There are so many interesting cultures, countries and languages in the world that it would be a shame to only be able to speak one. Choose to learn a language of a culture that intrigues you (my favorites are French and Spanish). You’ll be surprised that you can learn to speak a language in 3-6 months.
59. .Learn To Play An Instrument - Done!!
Music is one of the most beautiful things of life, and I can’t imagine life without music. Learning to play an instrument is really not as hard as you think. 1 Hour a day for a few weeks and you’ll have a decent ability to play some nice tunes. My favorite instruments are drums, piano and the guitar, but there are of course many more instruments that might appeal to you.
60. Make Money From Your Own Entrepreneurial Project/Business
At some point in your life you just need to follow your own path. There will be something that you want but can’t find, so create a business around it. Fill that gap in the market. Follow your own idea, even if nobody believes in it and it sounds too crazy to be able to work. Maybe that’s exactly why it’ll work. As soon as you start to see real profit come from your own hard work and business ideas, you’ll feel an unmatched satisfaction (and not because of the money, but because of the fact that you succeeded).
61. Build Your Own Website - Done!!
A few years ago it was really complicated to build your own website and you needed serious programming experience. Today, it’s a matter of following a simple tutorial and you can have your own website up and running within an hour (with NO technical experience whatsoever).
62. Build An Audience Of Thousands Of People
The internet has revolutionized the way normal people can influence the world. Just a decade ago, it was almost impossible to reach hundreds of thousands of people without being famous, having serious connections or a huge wallet. These days, a website, blog or social media account is enough to reach thousands of people. Spread your influence and make a difference to the world with your power.
63. Make Your Own Movie
You don’t need professional equipment. All you need is a digital camera or camcorder, a laptop and simple video editing software. Make your own movie, be the director, spread your message to the world. Even if it’s just a compilation of the footage for your last Euro trip.
64. Write Your Own Book
Write a book to tell your story. Possibly do it while you’re living in a foreign country, or taking a break and living on an island for a month. My book Upgrade Reality, took 3 months to write, and it’s been read by hundreds of people all around the world. It’s still selling copies every single week, and it’s made a difference to many people’s lives.
65. Eat Something That’s Alive (Like An Insect)
The idea creeps me out, but it’s just something you gotta do before you die. Better wash it down with lots of other food so you forget about the nasty thing you just did.
66. Fast For At Least 2 Days - Done!!
Your body is not a dumping ground for all the trash you constantly put into it. You need a break and some time to clean out your system. It’s wise to do regular fasts for at least 48 hours but at some point you should even try the Master Cleanse.
67. Chop Down A Tree With An Axe
At some point in your life you just have to chop down a tree with an axe and yell “TIMBERRRR” as it falls. Try to cut down a tree that doesn’t belong there (alien tree) or a tree that’s in the way of something.
68. Climb A High Mountain - Done!!
Climb a high mountain and stand on top of it, looking down upon the world. It’s not as hard as you think, often it takes just a couple of hours of hiking to get to the top. If you’re really brave and adventurous, take a few friends and make it an overnight hike where you camp on the top of the mountain. It’s a beautiful experience.
69. Build Something That Will Outlast You
Maybe a piece of art, a statue or even an entire house that you designed and built from scratch. You can also choose to create something like a song, movie or book that will be around for generations to come after you pass. Whatever you decide, choose to create something that you can leave behind for people to remember you by and for people to learn from.
70. Smoke A Joint - Done!!
I’m totally against drugs, but I think that everyone should smoke the magic herb once in their life. Experience what it’s like to get “high” and to see the world in a different perspective.
71. Sell Everything You Own And Travel
Sell everything you own and travel with what you can fit in a suitcase for a few months or a few years. The best time to do this is probably when you’re younger and have little attachment to possessions (and no responsibility for a family). It’s incredibly liberating to not be tied down by “stuff” and to move and go where you please, when you please.
72. Dance In The Pouring Rain
Dancing is something that you only do when you’re happy. The next time it’s pouring with rain, go out into the street and do a happy dance. Go crazy and be happy to be alive. Feel the water stream down your face and soak your clothes.
73. Take A Vow Of Silence For A Day
Monks do it for decades but that’s a bit extreme. Take a vow of silence for just one day, and see how different the world is when you’re unable to speak. You’ll learn to listen and you’ll likely see the world in a different light afterwards.
74. Read A Book And Discover Great Stories - Done!!
Micheal Crichton's The Rising Sun - My favorite book and story of all time. It’s a must read. Enough said.
75. Do Something Stupid - Done!!
Nobody is perfect, and life is pretty boring when you live strictly by the rules. At some point you’ll do something stupid, but try not to make that the last thing you do. Learn from your mistakes and better yourself, so that the next time you’ll make the right decision.
76. Let Go Of Your Past
We’ve all done something stupid, had bad experiences and things that we wish would never have happened. Learn to let go of your past, because what’s done is done and it will never change. Don’t let your past weigh you down, don’t carry it around and let it diminish your capacity to be happy and live your present and future life to the fullest. Take a deep breath and just let go of everything in your past. You live now, every new day is a new chance for a better life. Make the most of it.
77. Forgive Someone
You may have your differences with someone, and you may downright hate someone for what they did to you. At the end of the day, forgiveness is much more powerful than hate and forgiveness will bring a sense of relief and happiness for both of you. When you’re ready, forgive someone who has done something bad to you.
If you enjoyed this post please share it below on Facebook, Twitter or Stumbleupon. I put hours and hours into writing it, and I’d love for as many people to enjoy it as possible. You can help me do that by taking 10 seconds to share it (below) with your friends. I will be updating this list once in a while so always visit this blog and check out this list. If you want to add some crazy ideas on this list then feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you!
