You’ve heard of people doing adventurous things, traveling around the world, and trekking to remote places, all because it was on their “bucket list.” I mean, sure that sounds cool, but ‘Why?” What is a Bucket List anyway? And how do I write a Bucket List? 

A bucket list is a list of things you want to do before you die. A funny name though, with an odd origin, a bucket list can easily be called whatever you chose to name it! It’s simply goals or dreams that you’d like to accomplish in your life. Here are some other name ideas for your ‘bucket list.’

• Life To-Do’s!

• Life Goals

• Before I die!

• My Aspirations 

So why have a bucket list? 

A bucket list helps you see the big picture of life and not get lost in the overwhelm of the daily hustle. It’s a list of things you’ve always wanted to do, whether it be places you wanted to see, people you wanted to meet, or events you wanted to attend. Checking things off your bucket list helps you feel like you are really living, even amidst the hard and busy seasons, and the daily drag.

Bucket lists give you a sense of accomplishment and I-can-do-it mentality! The aspirations you write down on your list give you permission to accomplish your wildest dreams. 

Your list is anything you want to do, and you have a lifetime to do! (Granted, “lifetime” has no absolute time frame or guarantee, so you do need to keep that in consideration.) Basically, live every day! Let’s get your Bucket List started! Here’s how.

How to Write a Bucket List

1. Dream

This is the really fun part. Just sit down and dream! Where are places you’ve always heard of that you have fantasized about visiting? Did you see a beach or mountain view in a movie and think, “I just need to go there!” Scroll Pinterest for ideas on places to visit or fun, ‘out-of-the-box’ things to do. Dream with your husband or your kids or your best friend. 

Remember, your bucket list does not have to be ‘crazy’ or ‘exotic’. Your list is for YOU. Maybe your bucket list looks more like: have kids, learn how to bake homemade bread, camp with the kids, and learn how to cross country skii. Maybe your bucket list includes reading 500 books, or learning how to knit sweaters. That’s awesome! That’s you.

2. Reflect

Never lose who you are, just because some things changed. Reflect on who you were when you were younger. Where did you want to go and explore? What sites did you want to see? What did you think you could do then, but now think it’s impossible? Write those things down! Just because you got that dream job, or are now caring for precious tiny humans, doesn’t mean those things are out of reach.

Never Lose who you are, just because some thing changed.

Naomi

3. Be Inspired

I love stories. Hearing about other people’s journeys and adventures, how they navigated through the ups and downs, and how they learned along the way, is so inspiring to me! I read the book “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed, and now I am inspired to hike the big trails! I’ve just recently started “Bringing up Bebe” and now I want to visit France, if not raise a child there and learn the language as well. What stories have you heard that make you want to accomplish similar things? What memoirs spark an interest in you, that makes you say, “I want to do that too.”

4. Scribble Draft

As ideas, dreams, and aspirations flood across your mind, jot them down! Wherever you are, type a note on your phone, or scribble it down on an old receipt in the car. Oftentimes I feel like my best ideas come to me when I’m out and about ‘doing’. Don’t limit your list writing to sitting down with a notebook and pen, where some dreams are actually blocked. Give yourself a few days, dream away, and create your draft list.