Brits need to travel to 25 foreign counties, be fluent in at least two languages and perform live on stage to ‘live life to the full’, a study has claimed. Researchers questioned 2,000 adults aged 18 to 65 before compiling the list of the 50 things which are considered essentials for a ‘full’ life, which also includes finding true love and being married for longer than 20 years.
Kissing a stranger, having a one-night stand and dating someone ‘exciting but completely wrong for you’ also made the top 50.
Trying all types of food, experiencing different cultures, losing a stone in weight and visiting all of Britain’s historical landmarks were also hailed as ‘essential’.
But despite this, the study also revealed the average person has ticked off just eight of the 50 achievements listed.
And only 23% of those polled believe they are already ‘living life to the full’.
A spokesman for the poll, which was commissioned to mark the release of Life of Pi on Blu-ray and DVD, said:
“The research is really interesting because much of the top 50 list focuses on experiences and achievements rather than having more material possessions.
“And that’s exactly what the term ‘living life to the full’ means – it’s getting to that point in life where you are enjoying each moment, from the thrills and adventures to the routine of everyday.
“The research indicates people want to relax into their lives in order to enjoy it – by stopping all the worries about what other people are thinking, how much money they have – and as number nine in the list shows concentrating on what you do have rather than what you don’t is of great importance.”
A third of people polled believe they will be living life to the full once they start working to live rather than living to work.
For many, taking two holidays a year will be indicative of their full life – as will spending more time outside, booking impulsive last minute holidays, having the courage to travel alone and spontaneously blowing money on shopping trips.
And being heroic is important to some – as 12% would like to physically rescue someone, and 26% want to be well thought of by family and friends.
Other achievements include driving a really fast car, owning a pet, starting a family, paying off debts and getting a degree.
Many people would like to feel they could enjoy the little comforts in life, while 31% want to be true to themselves.
Making time for family and friends, treating each day like it’s their last, and being able to keep kids on the straight and narrow are important to Brits.
And in order to live life to the full, Brits would like to have reached their desired career peak by the age of 40, and be earning more than their age.
The Life of Pi spokesman continues:
“Pi was forced to make a decision not only to survive but to live. It seems as though in real life, people are faced with much simpler choices but still face a challenge when seeking out that genuine sense of fulfilment.”
The study shows that 65% claim they don’t live life to the full all the time because they can’t afford to, while 38% don’t have the time.
Just under four in 10 people say they have to think of other people around them and this sometimes prevents them from fulfilling their dreams, while 17% are too scared to take the plunge.
In fact, only three in 10 people class themselves as adventurous, but 85% say that if money was no option they would try to achieve more of the elements in the top 50 list.
TOP 50 WAYS TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL
1. Stop worrying about money
2. Stop worrying about what other people think
3. Take two holidays a year
4. Enjoy little comforts in life
5. Experience different cultures
6. Work to live rather than live to work
7. Pay off all debts
8. Be true to yourself
9. Concentrate on what you have instead of what you don’t have
10. Use money on experiences rather than saving for a rainy day
11. Make time for family and friends
12. Try all types of food
13. Find true love
14. Travel to at least 25 different foreign countries
15. Go outside more
16. Learn a new language
17. Be well thought of by family and friends
18. Help a member of your family out when they really need it
19. Lose a stone in weight
20. Treat eat day like it’s your last
21. Visit all of Britain’s historical landmarks
22. Book an impulsive last minute holiday
23. Volunteer for a good cause
24. Take up a challenge
25. Go on safari
26. Blow a load of money in one shopping trip, just because you can
27. Learn a new instrument
28. Be married for longer than 20 years
29. Have enough money left for the grandchildren to enjoy
30. Start a family
31. Earn more than your age
32. Have a pet
33. Drive a really fast car
34. Travel alone
35. Be able to keep the kids on the straight and narrow
36. Meet strangers
37. Move away from home to an unfamiliar place
38. Have a one night stand
39. Pass your driving test
40. Get a degree
41. Rescue someone so that you’re a hero for a little while
42. Date someone exciting but completely wrong for you
43. Get a promotion
44. Reach the desired career peak by age 40
45. Have an all-night drinking session
46. Perform something on stage in front of others
47. Snog a stranger
48. Plan a surprise party
49. Embark on adrenaline packed activities such as sky diving or bungee jumping
50. Spend time with children even if they aren’t yours
