Turning 50 in 2026

 🌟 Turning 50 in 2026 – Sounds Like a Big Deal, Right?

It seems I’m not the only one hitting this milestone soon. I even tried to find out:
How many people will turn 50 in 2026 worldwide?
Guess what? No clear answer! Apparently, there are no reliable global records for this.

But here’s what I did find: by 2050, in the Netherlands, a quarter of the population will be 65 or older. That will include me eventually! So yes, I’m getting older.

What’s ahead?
✅ Probably 27 more years of work
✅ A little less agility in the body
✅ Plenty of energy and ideas left to explore

 

🎯 The Plan: 50 Things to Do in the Year I Turn 50

I intend to record my progress right here on this blog.

 

📜 The Original List from Copilot

When I asked Copilot for ideas, here’s what came back:

Personal Growth & Reflection

• Write a letter to your future self

• Start a gratitude journal

• Learn a new language

• Take a personality or strengths assessment

• Create a vision board for the next decade

• Read 12 books (one per month)

• Meditate daily for at least 10 minutes

• Declutter your home—one room at a time

• Try a digital detox for a week

• Start a blog or vlog about your 50th year

Health & Wellness

• Schedule a full health check-up

• Try a new fitness class (yoga, Pilates, boxing)

• Walk 10,000 steps daily for a month

• Learn to cook 5 healthy dishes

• Take a spa day

• Practice mindfulness eating

• Join a hiking group

• Drink more water—track your intake

• Sleep 8 hours for 30 consecutive days

• Try intermittent fasting

Adventure & Travel

• Visit a country you’ve never been to

• Take a solo trip

• Go on a road trip with friends

• Try a luxury train journey

• See a natural wonder (Grand Canyon, Northern Lights)

• Go camping under the stars

• Take a cruise

• Explore your own city like a tourist

• Visit a UNESCO World Heritage site

• Plan a weekend getaway every season

Learning & Creativity

• Learn to play a musical instrument

• Take a painting or pottery class

• Learn photography and do a photo challenge

• Write a short story or poem

• Take a cooking or baking course

• Learn to dance (salsa, tango, ballroom)

• Start a DIY home project

• Learn basic coding

• Join a book club

• Take an online course on a topic you love

Connection & Giving Back

• Reconnect with an old friend

• Host a themed dinner party

• Volunteer for a cause you care about

• Mentor someone in your field

• Organize a family reunion

• Send handwritten letters to loved ones

• Donate to charity or start a fundraiser

• Join a local community group

• Surprise someone with an act of kindness

• Share your life lessons with younger generations

 

✅ Reality Check

Some things I’ve already done:
✔ Joined a book club (shoutout to IA Book Club in Almere!)
✔ Mentored amazing female colleagues for five years
✔ Took a cruise to Norway (what a treat!)

So, I had to tweak the plan. Here’s my final version:

 

🌟 My 50 at 50 Bucket List

Personal Growth & Reflection

1. Write a letter to your future self

2. Start a gratitude journal

3. Learn a new language

4. Schedule a full health check-up

5. Create a vision board for the next decade

6. Read 50 books in 2026

7. Try a digital detox for a week

8. Declutter your home—one room at a time

9. Start a blog or vlog about your 50th year

10. Organize a 50th birthday photo shoot

Health & Wellness

11. Join a bootcamp fitness program

12. Try a new fitness class (yoga, Pilates, boxing)

13. Walk 10,000 steps daily for a month

14. Learn to cook 5 healthy dishes

15. Take a spa day

16. Practice mindfulness eating

17. Drink more water—track your intake

18. Sleep 8 hours for 30 consecutive days

19. Try intermittent fasting

20. Start a monthly self-care ritual

Adventure & Travel

21. Visit a country you’ve never been to

22. Take a solo trip

23. Go on a road trip with friends

24. Explore your own city like a tourist

25. Visit a UNESCO World Heritage site

26. See a natural wonder (Grand Canyon, Northern Lights)

27. Plan a weekend getaway every season

28. Sign up for a cooking class

29. Go wine tasting in a new region

30. Discover 10 new restaurants or cuisines

Connection & Fun

41. Reconnect with an old friend

42. Host a themed dinner party

43. Organize a family reunion

44. Send handwritten letters to loved ones

45. Surprise someone with an act of kindness

46. Donate to charity or start a fundraiser

47. Volunteer for a cause you care about

48. Redo the garden

49. Start a memory jar for the year

50. Celebrate your 50th with an unforgettable event

 

🚀 What’s Next?

I’ll share updates as I tick off these items—photos, stories, maybe even a few surprises.

Turning 50 isn’t about slowing down; it’s about living intentionally and joyfully.

So, here’s to making this milestone year unforgettable! 🎉

 

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