About me

I'm an ex-pat who moved to London from New York in 2003. Shortly after a had a milestone birthday, my long-term relationship ended, jolting me out of my settled routines. I realised I’d been coasting through life on autopilot and, having to start my life over again, decided I wanted to live the next chapter of my life differently. So I made a list of things I’ve been meaning to do but never quite made the time, with the aim of completing 100 of them in a year. It's my mini Bucket List to help keep me busy and moving forward enjoying life, without looking back. After I successfully reached the 100 mark before the year was half through, and with the list itself growing, I've since expanded my target to 300 and kept going.

I live in North London with my two cats who keep an eye on me and ensure I feed them nice food on a regular basis.

Want to know more? Ask me in a comment or follow me on twitter @BreakUpList.

15 comments:

  1. Ever seen the play "In Dog Years I'm dead"? It's on in Dublin at the minute if visiting Dublin was on your list. Tiz very apt in light of your blog etc

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Ali
    Thanks for following me on twitter.
    I just spent 20 mins enjoying your blog - its concept and some of the tales and sentiments - and just wanted to say (from someone whose world fell apart over Xmas 2012 as well) WELL DONE YOU and also, have a great time in Thailand. If you ever reach Saigon on your next trip I can give you some top tips for street-food and add about 50 more things to your bucket list :+)
    Keep writing.
    Tim (@saigonsays)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just wanted to say thanks :) x

    P.S If you want to write a book you will find an audience

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you so much! You ve helped a strangers life so check it

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is an excellent idea. :) SD
    http://www.sandradanby.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a huge inspiration for me, just now trying to rebuild after divorce after 15 years of marriage!
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi after a 18 year mariage and divorce at 43, I am with you all the way, I have returned to university after loosing everything, good job, house etc. Anyway your blog is very inspiring, I now follow you on twitter , regards John

    ReplyDelete
  8. Having been through two divorces, I think the way you are dealing with it is awesome x

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am hoping for a break-up! Just kidding honey! Sometimes it's not that easy for those
    of us that are attached! It is a lot of work that's for sure! Right dear! Yes goodluck and keep going wonderful idea!! If nothing else you will have wonderful adventures and make new friends! Who knows you could meet Mr. or Mrs. Right when your ready again! Best- Therese
    relationship that is meant to be!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I don't wish to appear rude, but if one lives long enough one tends to have got through about three quarters of the things on your list. Nice advertising work though... good way to fund a lifestyle... clever idea... as for being dumped and betrayed by partners, getting drunk for a week usually gets it out of the system, the trick is not to invest too much emotional capital in anyone, except one's children of course, and after several break ups one usually ends up marrying someone one can get on with reasonably well.Good luck with the blogging and advertising work... I sincerely hope it goes well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your post Richard. I agree that if one lives long enough many people would do most items on my list over the course of their life. I'm doing it in 2 years though not 40, but your point is taken that I probably would have gotten around to doing many of these at some point. But the original purpose of my list, (others' may be different) was to do things now, not in the next 20-30 years.

      As for advertising, I have not made a penny from this site or what I'm doing (maybe I should look into it). I don't have any advertising on the site, so I'm not sure where you get that idea that this is funding some sort of lifestyle. I have a good job, frankly, that takes care of that.

      On a personal level I'm looking to be emotionally invested in my life and relationship. If I get hurt, I get hurt. But I'd rather love completely with my whole heart than muddle through reasonably well. But to each their own. Sounds like you have found a way that works for you, and that's important. Not sure it would work for me, but something to consider. Thanks for your comments and Good luck to you as well.

      Delete
  11. Nice blog! I also got out of a relationship during the summer, so I'm sort of doing the same thing as you. Check out me and my girlfriend's blog, simplestella.com Cheers!

    Daisy

    ReplyDelete
  12. I wish I had a list like this when I separated from my ex-husband five years ago. Best of luck on your journey.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello.

    This blog is great. I'm following you on twitter (jarsofhearts) and reading your blog regularly. This is really good. Time to focus on yourself and do what you like now. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hey Ali,

    I just recently find out about your master list and blog. I'm not sure whether you stopped updating your list because you are too busy with life or that you finally moved on and moved passed the heartbreak. But your blog is truly inspirational.

    I've been searching and searching for this. Our experiences were so similar. My ex and I had been together for nearly 10 years, since we were kids. One day, he just walked out of my life because he simply needed some space (of course, there was the other girl at work). It's been a little more than 7 months and I am still terribly sad. He left me wonder will I ever find love again. Will I ever learn to forgive him and forgive myself for everything we've been through.

    But reading your blog and your list made me realize that there were so much I wanted to do but couldn't do when we were together. I really would like to try this. This is the kind of solution I need to regain the self-worth I lost because of the breakup.

    If you ever have a chance to read this, please reply me and let me know how are you after two years. Are you happier? Did you find love again? Is it the same without him for so long? Do you ever miss him, still?

    Hope everything is well and the best wishes for you. Wish this comment find you. and a huge Thank YOU!

    ReplyDelete