I turned 50 last week! This milestone birthday got me thinking about how I want to spend my next 50 years. I have a tendency to say no. No to getting out of my comfort zone. No to trying new things. No to being inconvenienced. No to leaving my cozy home. Well those no’s are about to turn into yes’s as I kick off my 52 Weeks of Yes!
52 Weeks of Yes!
Every week during my 50th year on earth, I’ll do something I would normally say no to. Do something I have always wanted to do but never made time for. Do something unexpected, weird, scary, different, unique.
I celebrated my 50th birthday with a trip to Costa Rica with my hubby (he was the only male allowed!), my girls, my sister and some girlfriends. It was amazing to mark this half century in a villa overlooking the ocean, surrounded by monkeys, sloths and toucans. I’ll share more of my trip soon.
To kick off my first week of yes, I said yes to a few new experiences.
I zip lined! Not just any zip line but the longest zip line in Latin America and the third longest in the world! The course was a series of 10 zip lines and while I enjoyed it very much, I am a person that can’t take the heat so after I puked my brains out, I had to head back to base camp but luckily it was after I zipped along the seventh, and longest line!
I’ve seen lots of waterfalls in my life – including some beauties in Hawaii – but I have never swam under one. I was determined not to stand on the sidelines this time but to literally jump head first into the water and experience the raging falls. It was exhilarating!
I also hand fed wild spider and white face monkeys and saw a sloth mama and her baby slowly make their way across a tree branch late at night (this was a highlight of my trip).
Three experiences of a lifetime.
I’m ready for more! If you have any ideas for me to say yes to, please share. They can be anything from learning new skills, traveling to new places, volunteering for worthy causes or anything in between.
I challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and start saying yes with me.
Follow my #52WeeksofYes on Instagram – @kelly.elko where I’ll be sharing lots of behind the scenes peeks into what I’m up to. Feel free to use my #52WeeksofYes hashtag to share your own experiences.
P.S. I’ve been lucky to travel to some pretty amazing places – see more of my travel diary here.
Love the idea of 52 Weeks of Yes!
Don’t worry, I’ll be dragging you along with me!
Awesome idea! Also looks like a lot of fun. 🙂
Hope you join me in saying yes Diane!
Have you ever touched an elephant? Visiting an elephant sanctuary might be fun!
No but I would love to – what an amazing idea!
Happy 50th birthday Kelly! I’m also in the 1969 Club, and will be 50 in July:) Your trip to Costa Rica looks wonderful!! I enjoy your blog!
Happy early 50th Suzanne! We are going to rock this!
I took a trapeze class a few years ago. I highly recommend that! I’m afraid of heights, but it was so much fun and am glad that I pushed myself!
I have always wanted to do that! I’m afraid I would puke!
Yes you see and do it all i am 65+ and i have done quite a few things but, i feel it’s important to do what you can, so you’ll have pictures and memories as you get older. There’s only one thing i have always wanted to do and that’s ride a donkey all the way down the Grand Canyon, and i may not have the energy now. It is such a beautiful canyon. So have fun, fun, fun!!
That sounds like fun Marlene! Those donkeys are calling your name – you should do it!
Great idea!! Awesome adventure and a perfect way to start your new decade!
I’m excited about this year Tammara!
Happy Birthday Kelly! I hope you have a wonderful year! You look amazing!
Thank you so much Lisa! Time certainly does fly!
Happy 50th Kelly! Looks like you are starting it off right. Enjoy every new experience.
Thanks Diane – maybe we can do a few fun things together!
How did I miss this??? Happy happy 50th! We are both in the club now. So excited to see what else you do.
And YES to zip lining. I am a bit addicted.