A Bucket List is a list of things you’d like to do before you die – ie. before you kick the bucket. A lot of people have lists – some keep them just in their head, others have them written down and there are countless numbers of websites that let you curate a list on their site and offer suggestions of things you should add to your list.
I did have a list written down at some point – I started it when I was in college and it mostly consisted of meeting band members (many of which I have now met). I used a few websites to try and curate lists but never really stuck to using them very long. Right now it’s kind of just in my head. It’s long. It’s constantly changing.
Recently though, I’ve been wondering if you can cross items off of this “list” if they weren’t really on the list to begin with? There are a couple of things that happened to me in the past few months that I would say were items that were bucket list worthy – but weren’t actually on my list. Can I add them and quickly cross them off? If it’s my list – then do I get to make (and break) the rules?
In September while at Disney World we ended up riding The Haunted Mansion with Hanson. Now while ‘ride an amusement park ride with Hanson’ wasn’t technically on my bucket list – it WAS something I used to think a lot about when I was in my early teens. I used to run a Hanson e-mail newsletter and I remember once posing the question – if you were at an amusement park and Hanson was there – would you buy their ride photo if you saw it available? I think it shows that somewhere deep down inside I had always hoped to be at a park when Hanson was there – and so I got my wish. Cross it off the list! (Even better was the fact that we had seen photos of the band at Hollywood Studios that same day and we didn’t think they’d bother park hopping so it made it all the more exciting when we did spot them coming off the ride right after us!)
Another was in January – when I got my photo taken with Coco the monkey. I have always loved monkeys, I think almost anyone that knew me in high school knows this to be true. So when I found out there was a monkey taking photos I was so excited I started singing songs about it. (I think I ended up with 3 different songs – none of which I can remember now, of course.) But again, specifically, ‘get a photo with a monkey’ was something that I never thought to put on my bucket list. I’m actually not sure anything related to monkeys was ever on the list or even a thought of being on the list.
Crossing things off a bucket list that were never on there to begin with seems to be just as exciting as crossing off items that really are on the list, to me anyway.
Do you have a bucket list? Do you find yourself adding things to it after you’ve already experienced them?
If you don’t have a bucket list – why not? If you’ve just not gotten around to making one – what would be something you’d have on yours?
That’s great that you have a bucket list! I don’t have one. I think that’s because I’m really not sure what I would put on it. And I totally think you can add those to your list then cross them off. 😉
You can try an “anti bucket list” which is where you reflect on the past year around new years eve and make a list of things that you did that would be on your bucket list if you had one! I’ve been doing that the past few years 🙂
I love lists and I have a bucket list of sorts. On my blog I posted a 101 in 1001 challenge, which ends later this year. I’ve accomplished a few things on it, but I don’t think they’ll all be crossed off by the due date 🙂 I’ll probably change the title to Bucket List so I can keep going!
Happy Commentathon!
Good luck with your list!
One day I will get to a bucket list. It seems my day to day list eats up all my time-lol.
I know how that is! I have a massive blog to-do list that I try to break down each weekend into a “weekend to do list” to try and get as much done as I can. This weekend it is extra huge because last weekend I wasn’t home at all to work on anything!
I think your way is better, ha! I don’t have a bucket list, either. I guess it seems kind of morbid to me, but to each his own!
I’ve seen some people call their lists “life lists” instead of bucket lists. Maybe that is less morbid? Just a list of things to try and do in your life.
I think a bucket list is a great idea. I am goal oriented and a bucket list is something that you work toward and check off. (I love to check off lists!) My goal in life is to love God first, my husband next and love and serve others. My prayer is to live debt free and inspire others to do the same. Blessings!
Good luck with your goals 🙂
Bucket lists is a great idea for some people to work towards. I often wonder If the list is attainable. I keep adding more and more not for me at this time.
Some of the items on my list are probably not attainable, but sometimes it is fun to think and dream about them!
I’m not really a bucket list person. I know what I want to do and where I want to go, but no specific experiences really call to me. I would rather enjoy life as I live it than always be reaching for more experiences that may not live up to the unrealistic expectations that I have put on them.
I am glad that you found something that works for you 🙂
Currently, I do not have a bucket list. I am more of a visual person so at the moment I am into vision boards and life mapping. I have worked with a life coach to help with my life mapping journey and attending a vision board workshop has helped greatly with attaining short term and long term goals.
Good luck with your goals!
I don’t have a bucket list because I don’t want to plan on not being around. That might sound goofy but it’s how my mind works. Truthfully, all I have is a long range goal, since I figure I’ve pretty much done everything I might have wanted to do in life, even if not always doing it the best. 🙂
I totally get that! Not goofy at all!
I have a bucket list on pinterest. I believe that you get to make, and break, the rules as much as you want! I’ve put stuff on their that I’ve done already, like tying messages to ballons and letting them go. But let’s get back to you, riding a ride with Hanson!?! What?? That’s so amazing, I had the biggest crush on all of them growing up!
My list, my rules, right? I still love Hanson and we went to Disney World specifically to see them perform at EPCOT. The day before their performances we were at Magic Kingdom and thought they were at Hollywood Studios based on photos we had seen online – but imagine our surprise when we got off the ride and they followed us off!
Hey there! I don’t like to have a bucket list because…I will cite here Mitch…I don’t like to talk or to think about not being around…this is just how my newrons are made…lol. But I enjoied reading your post, especially the Coco moneky photo…was a pretty one 🙂 love the name hehe. And the Haunted House from Diseny 😀 muhahaha.
Kiss you!
I get it! Some people just don’t want to think about the list ending. I just think about all the more and more things I can add to mine 😉
I don’t believe in bucket lists for myself, but I know they work for other people. I’m glad you crossed off something on yours!
Thanks!
Great post!! I actually remember Hansen from my oldest being in love with them in her younger days!! Lol!
I don’t have a bucket list, mainly because then it would become stressful to me if I don’t get things done and because I’m spontaneous and may change the list over and over. I just choose to live life! But I’m glad you got to cross two things off yours! I feel that if you are going to have one, you should be able to change it whenever you feel free!!
I’ve been in love with Hanson since I was 12. I’m 30 now. I don’t think I’ll ever stop.
I can definitely see a list being stressful to some people – I used to make a year to year list and never got much of it done in the given year and that always stressed me out! I made things more general now!
Yes!! I have a bucket list, and it ranges from the easy and mundane to the grandiose. Congrats on you for dreaming and going after your dreams!
My list too! Good luck with crossing items off of yours!
I don’t have a bucket list, but I have a wanderlist (effectively removing the morbidity) of dream travel destinations. Mine is not etched in stone, so I reserve the right to change and update it at will. The things you mention that happened to you even though they were not on your list are events I call serendipity, and sometimes they are the best.
That is an interesting approach to a similar idea. I love the idea of serendipity as well!
I don’t have one, but a good friend has one tacked to a bulletin board in her kitchen. It’s pretty handy for planning surprises! 🙂
Ooh maybe I should write mine down then 😉
I don’t have a bucket list but I do have plenty of goals, both short term and long term. I find that goals I had as a child may not always coincide with my adult goals. My ideas change and develop as I change and develop. So, I make an ongoing list of goals to work towards but I try to keep them within something that I can complete within a year. And somethings I add a goal to my list that I originally thought about a long time ago but didn’t have time for before (revisiting goals). I do wish you the best of luck with your bucket list!
Good luck with all of your goals as well!
I don’t have a bucket list, but if I get to go to some interesting places or do some fun things in the course of everyday life, that will be great!
You should try the anti bucket list – Ive been doing them the past few years where around New Years Eve I reflect on all the bucket list worthy items Ive done throughout the year that just passed – whether or not they were actually on my list or not in the first place. It’s a fun way to find all the positives of the year.
I have a travel bucket list. But not one for general things. Mostly because I have always lived a very simple life and it seems like a lot of things like that didn’t really matter to me. I just want to see things. Experience. Hence the travel bucket list.
There are definitely a lot of travel destinations on my mental list. I love to travel and see new things and places!
I don’t have a bucket list. I think that might be because I don’t really plan that far ahead for anything. I tend to plan on the fly and try to take advantage of opportunities as they come up, rather than keep my eyes on a future goal. I’m not sure that is the best practice, but it seems to be the way I operate.
If that’s what works for you then stick with it!
Good for you! Many people wait until they are much older to compile a bucket list but you have already done it. Remember…. it is YOUR list so you can do whatever you want. I see nothing wrong with putting something on the list just so you CAN cross it off it its already accomplished. !
Have fun commenting!
Thanks! I figure if it’s my list I can make up the rules 😉
Nope. Don’t have a bucket list because I’m not particularly excited about getting to the end of it. Does that make sense? On the other hand I am very goal and task-oriented and love ticking things off my things-to-do list.
I’m all about to do lists too! Making sure I reply to all the comments on this post is one of the items for today 🙂
I love this and I have had those moments where I feel like this tops anything I ever could possibly wish for and I could die happy knowing it happened! Having my daughter was one because when the doctor placed her in my arms the first time it was miraculous 🙂 and I can include riding in a limo down the Las vegas strip as a wow moment. No harm in dreaming about what is a MUST experience for ourselves before we kick the bucket. We only live once right….
A limo in Las Vegas must have been very exciting! My motto in life is Dream Big!
Yeah, I think riding with Hanson at Disney World is definitely bucket list worthy! What a cool experience!
It was awesome and something we were never expecting to happen!
No bucket list here. But then again maybe I do and it has a different name??? I definitely think it’s perfectly acceptable to add to your list anything bucket list worthy then cross it of 🙂 Hope you have the opportunity to do all that is on your list.
You might! I’ve heard other names for the lists – I think any list of dreams and things you’d like to do in life counts!
Yay for having a bucket list!!
It definitely helps keep things interesting 🙂
I do have a bucket list! I think that the list is constantly evolving as my tastes and preferences change. It’s your list so put those things on it then mark them off! lol
It is fun to look back at lists I’ve made when I was younger to see what is completely no longer a priority now, but was a major one when I was younger.
I don’t really have a bucket list, but I’m always pushing myself to experience great things in life 🙂 I definitely want to travel out of the US again one day.
I hope you get to do that!
One of these days I’m going to have to sit down and put them in writing. There are so many things I’d like to do like see the Kentucky Derby, go to Italy, hit the best seller list. There are some things of course we can’t control, but if it’s in the bucket list we can try are hardest to achieve it.
I agree! I need to get my list written down again too. I know there’s several websites that help with that but I need to pick one and stick with it as I’ve tried to use many over the years!
I don’t have an actual bucket list, but I definitely have an ongoing list of goals and strategies.
I love that you guys enjoyed the Haunted Mansion. My family went to Disney in 2013, and we definitely made memories that will last a lifetime. Not exactly a bucket list, but definitely something I will never forget!
Haunted Mansion used to TERRIFY me as a kid – so that was one of the major reasons I wanted to ride it again – with my eyes OPEN the whole time. I think the last time I rode it was about 8 so now that I am 30 it was time to overcome that fear!
I don’t have a bucket list, but there are things I would like to do. Most of these are places I would like to visit. For me, a bucket list is to final. I’d rather have an overall goal or wish and enjoy the journey of getting there.
I’ve seen several people say they think bucket lists are too final. That’s not my thinking (keep adding to it!) but I can definitely see why people think that way.
It is your list do with it what you want. As for me, I dont have a list but I try to experience something new at least once a month.
That is a nice goal to have!
I don’t have anything specifically written down, but do have a few things in mind that I would like to accomplish in my lifetime. Writing a book was one, and I self-published my first children’s book in 2009.
That is great! I keep meaning to try and write a book but can never seem to put aside the time to. One of these days…
I do have a bucket list! And while I have other things on it, the only thing I really want to do is see the Great Wall of China.
I’ve never been to the great wall of china but from the pictures Ive seen I think it was a worthwhile bucket list item!
I love the idea of a bucket list. I made my top 100 but have not added anything to it yet. Thanks for the reminder and the inspiration to work on my list.
Good luck with getting your list put together!
One day I will finally write one myself. And one day I won’t be tied down with kids and will be able to complete it!
Great post! Congrats!
Miss–
Good luck 🙂
I’ve thought of this ages ago but I want to do a lot of things I think I’ll fill in an entire journal with my list so I finally gave up and ditched the list. But if I’ll sum it all up, I can say it in one word – TRAVEL
Love traveling! SO many things to do, see, explore…
I have never made a bucket list. I would like to go to Yellowstone with our family.
Well now you have 1 thing at least to add to it if you ever decide to make one! Good luck with making it to Yellowstone!
I don’t have a bucket list, but a list of the things I’ve done would be fun to look at or put in a scrapbook!
I scrapbook everything! It’s a fun way to look back on things 🙂 (And I find the act of crafting calming, it helps keep me sane)
I’m the same way – I have a bucket list but sometimes when I experience things that are bucket list worthy I add them and then cross them off because they were so awesome!
Glad I am not the only one!
I do have a bucket list. Its the best thing I have ever done. Set a list of goals and get them checked off. Its so awesome. Thanks for your post!
Good luck with crossing off your bucket list items!
Bucket lists are so important to me because they keep me accountable for my goals and dreams. As I get older, my list changes and some goals may not seem as important as before, but I still try to achieve them. Thanks for sharing!
Good luck with your list!
I also keep a bucket list, but also keep a few other list for things that I accomplished throughout the year. So at the end of the year I can look back in my journal to reflect on the challenges and successes.
I’ve been doing that as well with my “anti bucket list” – where at the end of the year I look back to see what I’ve accomplished.
I’ve never written down my bucket list, but I guess I’ve kind of got a mental one. Number one on that list is traveling to the Galapagos Islands. The only thing holding me back is that I have severe motion sickness so we’re afraid I would be horribly sick during the whole trip since much of the time you’re on a boat. But I REALLY want to do it.
I’d love to have my picture taken with a monkey too! I did meet a bonobo once, which was pretty awesome.
I really need to get to writing mine down (again) one of these days to keep myself more accountable and know what to be striving for!
I think you can add or subtract anything that you like it is your own list after all. I do the same thing that’s why I agree! I have stepped out of my comfort zone so many times this past year and had some amazing things happen that were never on any list but still life changing. My list is constantly changing. I just call it a work in progress!
I am glad you are in agreement then on “breaking the rules” haha 🙂
Sounds like you are living life full, pursuing your interests and finding new opportunities along the way! Being the list person that I am, I would start a second list, ha! First is the bucket list. Second, the life list! And on the life list I would put all those thrilling things that happen that are not on my bucket list 🙂
I’ve recently become a bit more of a list person. I never was before but now i find it helps to keep me on task a bit better – I’m easily distracted 🙂
I don’t have an actual list – which is kinda crazy since I have lists for everything. I think it’s just that I am pretty content with my life and there isn’t anything I can think of that I just HAVE to do – I love all new experiences and appreciate them all!
That is a nice approach to things 🙂
Technically, I don’t have a Bucket List. I guess I should make one & write it all down. I do think about traveling, but not much of that happens w/ little one’s. Maybe some day.
Traveling seems to be a popular item on everyone’s list based on the comments I’ve been getting! I hope you will get to travel some places on your list someday – maybe when the little ones are a bit bigger 🙂