Living My 60 Before 60 Life Lessons and Embracing a No Regrets Philosophy

Some while back I completed my 60 Before 60 Project. The intention of this personal initiative was to break out of my boring routines and introduce some change into my life by doing 60 different things before I turned 60.

I was so excited when I crossed the finish line of this project and having gained so many new experiences and life lessons as a result. But one of the things that was on my list that I didn’t complete was to sing karaoke. 

I have always been intrigued by the idea of karaoke. I found myself admiring the confidence of people to get up in front of a room full of strangers and regardless of their singing talent belt out one of their favourite tunes. I never had the confidence to do this. I had thought about it, wanted to try it but never actually followed through. 

Recently, while on a family visit, we stopped at a bar where they were singing karaoke. I happened to mention that this was one of the items on my 60 Before 60 Project that I didn’t cross off.  

I often talk, write and some may say even preach about the importance of living our lives without regrets. Something came over me right then - I needed to “walk the talk”. I didn’t want to walk around anymore saying this was something I wanted to do, I felt the need to now be able to say, this was something I had done.  

60 Before 60 Life Lesson #15: Saying yes rather than no can bring some unexpected fun 

So, with this in mind, and spurred on by my family, I signed up to sing. Now the big question was what to sing. 

I knew it had to be something that the audience would likely know and hopefully cheer me on with encouragement. So after looking online as to top karaoke songs to sing I chose, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor and signed up. 

After a few singers my name was called. I went to the front and nervously sat waiting to sing as the last singer wrapped up. Then up I stepped onto the stage and took the mic.

At that moment, I felt no fear. I just felt like I was finally doing something I said I would do and wasn’t concerned about the outcome. Just the fact that I had actually done it was going to be a good enough result for me. 

60 Before 60 Life Lesson #48: Just becomes something looks easy it may not actually be easy. 

As the music intro started, I got myself mentally prepared. As I began to sing, I quickly discovered that karaoke wasn’t as simple as I had thought it would be. The ability to read the lyrics, sing the song, stay in tune and engage with the audience is a bit more trickier than I had imagined. 

But I did it. I managed to make my way through the song and even had the audience clapping and some people up dancing as I fumbled through the song. 

I’ll be honest. This wasn’t a great performance. Let’s just say, my daughter taped it and the playback has since provided many, many good laughs to all who watch it as I cringe as I hear myself trying to belt out “I Will Survive”. My vanity is preventing me from sharing the video as I can easily imagine someone taking a clip and then discovering myself going viral as a result of a meme being generated of why my singing shouldn’t survive. 

60 Before 60 Life Lesson #51: Even though an experience may not go as you expected; it may be exactly what you needed   

Even though my dreams of being an amazing karaoke singer didn’t turn out the way I had hoped, the experience buoyed my confidence. I did this. I can now cross it off my list of things I wanted to do and no longer being left wondering what the experience might be like. Which leads me to one of my favourite life lessons from my 60 Before 60 Project; 

60 Before 60 Life Lesson #53: While on earth we should try to love deeply, live authentically and leave with no regrets. 

Interested in seeing all my 60 Before 60 Project experiences? You can check them out here.