For me, a bucket list isn’t just a checklist of things to do and cross off. It’s not about bragging rights or saying, “I did it!” and moving on. (For you it might be!)
Instead, my bucket list works like a living guide. It changes as I change. Sometimes I take things off if they no longer appeal to me and I’m always adding new ones. It’s a reminder of what excites me, a source of inspiration when I’m feeling down, and a record of what I’ve already accomplished.
I understand why some people would dislike bucket lists. They see them as a setup for failure if you don’t do everything. Like, somehow, you’ve fallen short. Life isn’t that black and white though. It’s a whole rainbow of experiences, successes, missteps, and everything in between.
Take the classic bucket list item: “Write a book.” It’s on my list because I love writing. I’ve started and restarted my novel more times than i can count and longer than I can remember. If it never gets published, am I a failure? I don’t think so. I still wrote. I still tried. Most importantly, I enjoyed my time doing it. Even if I never develop the skills to publish, I tried and sometimes that’s enough.
Of course, even when you achieve a goal, it doesn’t always turn out perfectly. Let’s say your dream was to go to Disney World. You save, plan, and finally go but oh no! It’s hot, crowded, and expensive. Oh dear, you got sick during your trip. Was it all a waste? NO! Even though I nearly passed out from drinking wine in the Florida humidity, I still got to experience something new. Oh, what was that? My own personal experience of a bad time? Heck yeah, I’m all about sharing even my mistakes! Now that trip is a funny memory and a way to give others advice going on a trip like that for the first time.
So. Is a bucket list right for you? It really comes down to mindset. If you attach your entire self-worth to checking every item off, then a bucket list probably isn’t for you. If you see it as a guide, a motivator, or a gentle reminder of what excites you, then it’s an amazing tool. Regardless of what you decide, life is too short not to go out and do something. Live your life and tell your stories.
-SH