So I made a list of things I’ve never done that I would like to do. In a way, it serves as a permanent challenge for the new year, and it also makes me have a lot to look forward to. The plan is to come back here to revise this post when I’ve done something on the list.

1. I’ve Never Collaborated With A Brand or Blogger. This is something I’d really like to do very soon. I believe it’s time for me to collaborate with a beauty or lifestyle brand and a poetry, motivation or lifestyle blogger.
UPDATE: I collaborated with BlackRoots in February 2021 and many more brands since then.

2. I’ve Never Driven A Truck. The biggest car I’ve ever driven is an SUV. I just want to know what it feels like driving a car, and you can’t see the cars behind you 😂.

3. I’ve Never Skydived. I have a whole adventure wishlist, but I really want to do this most out of the whole lot. What can I say? You only live once.

4. I’ve Never Been to Paris. Yup! I want to see the Eiffel Tower, take beautiful photos of the city, eat as much bread and pasta as my stomach will let me, buy a gelato, take a beautiful photo of it, then eat it.
UPDATE: I travelled to Paris in July 2023, and I finally saw the Eiffel Tower. Here’s a selfie of me on a river cruise of the city. 

5. I’ve Never Read Two Books At The Same Time. I’ve never done this because I like to complete my tasks. I also feel like I would be cheating on one book with the other. Whenever I try, I end up finishing the second one and going back to the first. I know a lot of people that do this, so I’m gonna keep trying till I succeed.
UPDATE: I read three books at the same time in 2019.

6. I’ve Never Done A Plank For More Than Two Minutes. I like to push myself to achieve more. I’m in a competition with myself to stop feeling like I’m going to die when I’m about to get past a two-minute plank. I start screaming and give up, but I won’t stop trying.
UPDATE: I have done a plank for two minutes and fifteen seconds. Yippee!!!!

7. I’ve Never Driven Outside Lagos (Ogun State Doesn’t Count). I’m not exactly sure where I will be driving to, but after my road trip from the east to the west, I’ve imagined driving to another state and what the experience will be like.

8. I’ve Never Bought Scented Candles For Myself. I’ve bought candles as gifts for people, and I’ve been given candles a few times, but for some reason, I don’t know, I’ve never bought them for myself. This is something I can fix easily, though.
UPDATE: I’ve bought myself some nice candles.

9. I’ve Never Slept in A Sleeping Bag. Well, I hope to go camping really soon and sleep outside with nature and no mosquitoes.

10. I’ve Never Published A Book. I want to be an author, and I believe it will happen sooner rather than later. This serves as a reminder for me to not stop writing, research competitions, keep pushing my work out and not give up.
UPDATE: I published a book titled, Because of You, in April 2023. First of many!!!

11. I’ve Never Gone Fishing. This is also for the experience. I believe this is achievable because my brother has fishing gear, and his friend goes fishing often. I just have to know when next he plans to go and tag along.

12. I’ve Never Donated Blood. I know the blood bank will appreciate a volunteer donor, and I can imagine how good I will feel doing this. I just don’t know when or if I will be courageous enough to do it.

13. I’ve Never Bought A Professional Camera. This has been a long-time wish. I would really like a canon with a very good lens that will last a lifetime to carry along with me everywhere I go.

14. I’ve Never Been To A Casino. The plan is to go to Vegas with my female friends and have the time of our lives. I’ve never even gambled before, so this is just for the adventure.

15. I’ve Never Baked Cookies. I’ve never baked a lot of things. I plan to take baking classes next year either through YouTube or a professional baker. I’ve always wanted to be the cool Mum who bakes her kids’ snacks.

16. I’ve Never Been Backstage At A Concert. I just want to see all the drama that happens back there and maybe get a selfie with an artiste.
UPDATE: I’ve been backstage at a concert and I discovered that it’s not as fun as watching the artiste perform from the front row.

17. I’ve Never Kissed Someone At Midnight on New Year’s Eve. I’m always at home on New Year’s Eve. Boring! I know!!! I grew up in a house where we prayed into the new year. Since 2014 though, I stopped believing in that and wanted to attend the countdown concert in Lagos instead. That hasn’t happened for the past three years either, so I’m hoping I get to spend New Year’s Eve somewhere people live in the moment sometime soon.
UPDATE: I’ve partied into the New Year twice but I’m still waiting for that midnight kiss.

18. I’ve Never Talked On The Radio. I still love listening to the radio, getting vital information, catching up on new music and listening to interviews when I’m driving. I want to impact people so much that I get invited to talk on the radio someday. Isn’t this something?!

19. I’ve Never Gone Commando. I know someone who does this on the regular, except when it’s that time of the month. I really won’t feel comfortable; I guess I’ve never gone wild 😜.
UPDATE: I finally did this. All I can say is the air was really, really good.

20. I’ve Never Lived Alone. As much as I like my space, I’ve never had the opportunity of living all by myself. I served in Lagos, I haven’t travelled out to do my masters, etc. I hope I get to live alone before I agree to spend the rest of my life with someone special.
UPDATE: I live alone now!!! Since 2021

Do you have things you’ve never done but would like to do? Feel free to share them. It may just be the motivation you need to get them done.

Think Big, Dream Big.

Mariam Shittu.

Order my book, BECAUSE OF YOU, on Amazon.