Cathy’s 50 for 50

Written By Cathy Angel

Happy New Year! On New Year’s Eve 2025, I turned 50 years old! Honestly, it was one of the best birthdays I have had in years.

Last year, I decided that for my 50th year, I wanted to make a list of 50 things I haven’t done before and complete them all during my 50th year. Making it to 50 is a huge privilege, especially in survivorship. I feel incredibly blessed.

I will be documenting my challenges here on my blog and on social media as well. I have already crossed the first one off: a sunset walk on the beach on my birthday to kick things off right. I upped the ante and did a cold plunge in the ocean with 44-degree temperatures that day. ;)

Thanks so much for following along. I have shared my final list for you all below. I wish you all the happiest and healthiest 2026!

Cathy’s 50 for 50 FINAL LIST

  • Walk the Beach at sunrise on my birthday! DONE!

  • Run a nonprofit for the first time

  • Walk Manhattan from top to bottom

  • Go clamming in Cedar Key

  • Run a half marathon with Brad

  • Go Glamping

  • Rent a convertible for a day and take a scenic drive

  • Take a dancing class with Brad

  • Host a themed dinner party for my friends

  • Write a letter to my younger self

  • Volunteer somewhere I have never served before

  • Puppy Yoga

  • Learn to needlepoint 

  • Bake Sourdough with Taylor Swift

  • Attend a festival or fair I have never been to (I have chosen the Frog Leg Festival)

  • Learn Pickleball 

  • Visit a museum I’ve never been to

  • Start my book

  • Learn how to make sushi

  • Take my husband on a drive to Key West for his first time 

  • Plant a tree in honor of my 50th

  • Visit a farmer’s market I have never been to

  • Ride a bike trail I have never explored

  • Write a letter to my future self

  • Try Peking duck 

  • Sleep in a treehouse

  • Visit a state park I have never been to

  • Go somewhere and order every appetizer on the menu instead of dinner

  • Meet Bethany Frankle

  • Drive up north to see the fall leaves

  • Perform karaoke with a celebrity 

  • Visit Yellowstone National Park

  • Drive a famous scenic route end to end

  • Cook a meal from a country I have never eaten from before

  • Make a meal using one of Julia Child’s most popular dishes

  • Visit Wine Country in Napa Valley

  • Visit Mount Dora

  • Take a cooking class with Brad

  • Create a recipe book with all of my favorite and family recipes. 

  • Drive to a dark sky area nearby for a late night picnic and star session.

  • Hike the Grand Canyon

  • Visit a waterfall I have never seen before

  • Watch a classic movie I have never seen before

  • Go zip lining

  • Explore a tiny town with a population under 1,000 and find its quirkiest spot

  • Visit a town known for one thing (a food, a fruit, a claim to fame) and experience it

  • Go on a trip with all 4 of my adult and soon to be adult children

  • Attend a wellness retreat

  • Take a scenic train ride somewhere I have never been

  • Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle on my 51st birthday

Cathy Angel
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