A woman has documented herself completing 60 different challenges before her 61st birthday – and has ended up inspiring thousands of people.
A New Chapter in Devon
Tina Langdon, 60, moved to Devon in October 2022 after retiring and deciding to leave her home in Jersey. Previously she had been working in financial services for over 30 years, and consumer support for another two and a half years. But after turning 60 in 2025, she decided she wanted to challenge herself while also making the most of her life.
"Many people I know dread the ‘Big 0’ birthdays, but I have always embraced them as a great excuse to celebrate what you have achieved so far, and look forward to what is to come," Tina said, revealing what first inspired her to set herself challenges.
The '60 Firsts by My 61st' Challenge
She explained: "So, last year, aged 59, I decided to set myself the challenge of doing and learning sixty new experiences and/or skills, or ‘Firsts’ as I have called them. I realised that achieving them in twelve months was almost impossible, so I gave myself two years to complete it."
It was her eldest daughter who then came up with the tagline '60 firsts by my 61st', with Tina claiming it was the 'perfect' name for her adventure, and is now the title she goes by on social media, where thousands of people have watched her complete her various tasks.
While her original plan was to learn 60 new things, the list of challenges soon morphed into a list of new experiences which would include some skills. Tina added: "My family and friends gave me ideas, and I’ve even had followers suggest a few, which is great."
Memorable Firsts
So far, her 'firsts' have challenged her in different ways, from learning to pack light for a three-day trip to Faro, to backpacking for 12 days around Scotland, to facing her fears by riding an e-scooter in Oslo while visiting her daughter.
However, she said the most memorable one has been her visit to Tromsø in Norway, where she completed six different firsts. Tina said: "I think I spent most of my time with tears of joy in my eyes, as it was a city I had dreamed of seeing for decades where I saw some incredible sights - the Aurora Borealis, whales, and a husky sled drive."
She added: "Another two really memorable ones were childhood dreams of riding a horse on a beach, and glass blowing (yet to be published)."
Living Life to the Fullest
But no matter the theme of her first, whether local or in a different country, Tina said the most important thing about her challenge is that each first is a new thing for her, which gives her 'a sense of joy and achievement'. She added: "Now I know that 60 isn't young, but doing this challenge has truly released the younger me that yearned to have the time to do exhilarating and fun things."
She shared her mum was diagnosed with cancer at 60 years old, which left her seriously ill for the next 20 years due to various treatments, as Tina added she wanted to enjoy life and travelling while she still had the chance. "None of us know what’s around the corner, particularly when you reach my age. So, whatever age you are, set yourself a challenge or experience new things," Tina said.
She added: "I know it’s cliché, but life is for living. However, it’s easier said than done, as life gets in the way of living. All sorts of things can stop us from trying something different - work, family commitments, and chores taking up vast amounts of our time. I know, as I was a single parent who worked full time, but, when I wasn't exhausted, I made the effort to do something challenging with my girls, or if possible, something on my own."
"I realise I am now in a far better position in my life and have a lot more time to do things, and I don't want to waste it," she added. "So many of us are held back by a lack of time and/or funds, shyness, social anxiety, a fear of the unknown, or doing something on our own, but I truly believe that breaking the rut and pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone is hugely beneficial and makes us look at things differently."
She added: "At 60, I really am living my best life, and I can’t wait to experience and share the final twenty-one [firsts]."
