"There are 300 items on my bucket list and I've ticked off half"

I started out with a list of 20 smaller items and built up to the bigger things. The first thing I did was a bungee jump. That was scary, so I took a group of friends along for support. As soon as I completed that I knew I wanted to do more. Next I went to Florida and went zip-lining over alligators, para-sailing and on the world's largest slingshot.

There are 300 items on my bucket list and I've ticked off half so far. Some of the less extreme items include performing in a play at Halloween. I was meant to be a zombie extra then ended up with a speaking part. That was a great confidence boost. I was terrified initially but after doing five shows a night I loved it.

I have faced my three greatest fears: performing in public, tarantulas and sharks. The sharks was definitely the scariest. I did that in Mexico and went snorkelling with nurse sharks. They don't tend to attack humans, but are still 6ft to 7ft in length. We were told not to put our hands in front of the sharks' eyes or they might bite.

The thing that surprised me most was flying a plane – that has been my favourite to date. I didn't expect to enjoy it that much but found it very relaxing. I didn't land or take-off, but I took the controls of the plane the remainder of the time. It was a brilliant experience.

I left school at 16 and worked in a supermarket for three years, then in the oil industry in Aberdeen. In the last few years, I've gained qualifications including an NVQ in supply chain management. I'm starting night classes in web design next week.

I would love to meet someone with the same name as me and have signed up to a website where you can try to meet your real life doppelganger. Other ambitions include to drive a monster truck, learn another language, go wing-walking, see a two-headed animal and stay in a haunted B&B. In 2013, I ran a 5k and this year I would like to do a 10k.

My husband David comes along on many of my adventures – he's often better at them than I am. There was a couple he was less keen on trying himself such as acting in the play and going to burlesque classes.

Culinary-themed items I've completed include trying chocolate-covered bacon, eating insects, a pizza tour of New York, dining in the dark and visiting a man vs food restaurant. One challenge I attempted was a "kitchen sink ice cream". It was around 20 scoops of ice cream and pieces of cake – I didn't manage to finish. On the to-do list: I still need to master chopsticks.

I recently visited Iceland where I saw the Northern Lights, went horse riding and explored underground lava caves. Any spare money I have goes into a jar. That is what paid for the Iceland trip. Many of the experiences I get for free by reviewing them online afterwards and I look out for good deals on sites such as Groupon.

Every time I tick an item off the list I learn something new about myself. I'm often surprised when I like something I didn't expect and vice versa. There are also things I'm glad I've done but I wouldn't be in a rush to do again such as using a water jet pack or going to a gun range. They looked more fun on paper.

Having a bucket list has changed my life and made me the happy person I am today. It doesn't need to involve big money or extreme items – it can equally be about changing the small things in your life. I would recommend it to anyone.

Visit completingmybucketlist.co.uk