Close your eyes and complete this sentence: “Before I die, I want to….”
This is your first step in creating your bucket list.
The idea of the bucket list — the experiences we want to have before we "kick the bucket" — has captured our collective imagination for years.
It might seem a bit sad to think about, but we all dream of things we want to do before our time is up. It isn't always about "before we die," but it creates a sense of urgency.
Creating and updating a bucket list of ideas for what you hope to see or do keeps us in touch with what we find moving and inspiring. The list keeps us dreaming, motivated, and working hard. It helps us stay excited about life and connected with what might fulfill our sense of purpose.
Bucket list ideas can be as grand or as simple as you like. But they should align with who you are and what you care about. They’re rooted in your interests, purpose, and passions — the things that get you up in the morning.
The idea is simple: dream it up, write it down, and do it. In practice, though, you might find it difficult. After all, self-reflection takes time — an asset that comes at a premium these days.
Thankfully, we’re here to help you get started. Here are some of our best bucket list ideas to inspire you.
What's a bucket list?
A bucket list is a list of experiences someone wants to have at some point in their life. They’re a fun method of life planning that can include professional and personal goals or anything else you can imagine.
Your list will undoubtedly differ from your mom’s, friend’s, or coworker’s — and that’s okay. A bucket list should reflect what you value and desire. When creating a bucket list, it can help you determine what in your life you need to start, stop, and continue to find true happiness.
Should I have a bucket list?
Having a bucket list isn’t for everyone — it depends on you and how you find fulfillment. But it helps motivate you in your everyday life. It can’t hurt to dream big, so here are some things to consider if you’re going to write one.
Pros of having a bucket list
1. It’s a measurable form of progress
Your bucket list acts as a roadmap that you can follow. It’ll help you stay on track, prioritize, and budget for your dreams. Having a life plan is smart, but does your 5-year-plan only include professional milestones? You deserve to have a dream plan, too.
2. It gives you things to look forward to
Hope is powerful, and making a bucket list gives people a reason to nurture that spark and anticipate what’s to come when the days feel long. These goals are also great extrinsic motivators — something you should include in your personal reward system.
3. It makes life more meaningful
Bucket lists help us look past the monotonous or daily grind to bigger and better things. Life exists beyond our self-improvement books and office cubicles. A bucket list encourages you to seek out these new experiences. You have the opportunity to engage with the world, and yourself, outside of your everyday life.
4. It helps you avoid languishing
If you’re feeling unmotivated, inspired, and kind of “blah” overall, you might be languishing. If you’re in this middle state, stress can affect you more, and your mental health might suffer. Having a bucket list — and something to look forward to — will keep you excited about life and ready to take on tomorrow.
Cons of having a bucket list
1. The fulfillment is only temporary
Unfortunately, most of the experiences people have on their lists are temporary. The experience might be fantastic at the moment, but the moment will pass. It quickly becomes a memory.
2. It only works for those who find meaning in reaching benchmarks
Spending more time with family and having a stable job is enough for many people. But many other people are daydreamers with additional goals. This kind of imagination is especially important for young adults. They have a whole life ahead of them, and setting goals will help them find their own type of fulfillment.
3. You may feel like you’re failing
If you haven’t crossed off something on your list or didn’t experience something by a particular age, it might lead to self-doubt or feelings of failure. Leaving dreams unfulfilled damages our self-esteem.
4. It can be superficial and performative
Some people like to share and talk about their bucket lists. That can create a sense of competition and one-up-manship. It can make us focus on big Instagrammable experiences rather than deeper, quieter everyday experiences that create life satisfaction and meaning.
How to create a bucket list
Include anything you like on your bucket list. List career goals, travel destinations, health, finance, or relationship goals. It can be as long or as short as you want. Really, if you can dream it, you can do it.
Creating your list can feel overwhelming. It takes Inner Work® and self-reflection to create a list that aligns with your values. There are many ways you can approach this. But, if you need a hand, BetterUp is here. Our coaches can help you figure out what matters to you and thrive.
The different kinds of bucket lists
Your list might be very long if you try to put everything down at once. If you’re overwhelmed by all you want to do, try breaking it down into categories. Here are some examples of divided bucket lists:
- Travel destinations
- Career goals
- Foods you want to try
- Skills or hobbies you’d like to learn
- Bands you’d like to see
- Life goals
- Fears to overcome
Each list can contain experiences related to your interests. Think about your current career, passions, and hobbies, and turn those into cool bucket list ideas.
220 ideas to put on a bucket list
We asked some of our friends and colleagues for ideas from their bucket lists. Here are 220 possible bucket list examples to get you thinking:
- Visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World, like Grand Canyon National Park — the type of "awe" inspired by the vastness of nature has a powerful effect on our well-being
- Try the street food in Mexico (or any other country where the street scene seems exotic relative to your day-to-day)
- Go bungee jumping
- Road trip across Canada on the Alaskan Highway
- Take a multi-day railroad trip in a sleeper car
- Drink beer at Oktoberfest
- See the Northern Lights
- Visit New York City for an iconic event (Thanksgiving Day Parade or New Year's Eve)
- Try skinny dipping
- Eat shark in Iceland
- Visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras
- Hike to Machu Picchu in Peru
- Visit the sand beaches of Hawaii, Galapagos, Indonesia, or the Dead Sea
- Go horseback riding
- Try kayaking down rapids
- Ride a gondola in Venice, Italy
- Find a job you love
- Retire early
- Visit Tokyo, Japan
- Have children
- Go snorkeling or scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia
- See elephants in Thailand
- Go vegetarian for a month
- Walk on the Great Wall of China
- Learn how to play guitar (or any other instrument)
- Make a meal with food entirely grown in your garden
- Set up a college fund for your children
- Become debt-free
- Earn a second college degree
- Touch six out of the seven continents
- Learn a new language
- Become a manager
- Adopt a pet
- Go skydiving
- Write a book
- Be a background cast member in a movie
- Fill a room with completed puzzles
- Become a homeowner
- Volunteer for your local school board
- Live in a foreign country
- Swim in all four oceans
- Perform at a local open-mic night
- Ride in a hot air balloon
- Learn to snowboard
- Attend the Olympics
- Explore the Amazon in Brazil
- Eat pho in Halong Bay, Vietnam
- Try a zipline
- Take a picture in front of the White House
- Mentor a young professional in your industry
- Go camping in the desert
- Drive along the entire coast of California
- Complete your master’s degree or Ph.D
- See a concert at the Hollywood Bowl
- Hike up a mountain in Chile
- Run a marathon
- Record a music album
- Read all the books by your favorite author
- Go white water rafting
- Own a sports car or motorcycle
- Start a scholarship fund in your name
- Volunteer on a board of directors
- Write a screenplay
- Learn a complicated recipe and cook it for your friends
- Sleep at an ice hotel
- See a show on broadway
- Try a crazy hairstyle
- Treat yourself to a spa day
- Take your family to Disney World
- Coach a kids soccer team
- Visit major cultural landmarks like the Eiffel Tower in France, the Taj Mahal in India, the pyramids of Egypt, Petra in Jordan, the Colosseum in Greece, Stonehenge in England, or Christ the Redeemer in Brazil
- Explore the stunning temples of Bagan in Myanmar
- Take a helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef
- Visit the beautiful lakes and castles of the Canadian Rockies
- Go on a food tour in Bangkok, Thailand
- Record a music album
- Read all the books by your favorite author
- Go white water rafting
- Own a sports car or motorcycle
- Start a scholarship fund in your name
- Volunteer on a board of directors
- Write a screenplay
- Learn a complicated recipe and cook it for your friends
- Sleep at an ice hotel
- See a show on Broadway
- Try a crazy hairstyle
- Treat yourself to a spa day
- Take your family to Disney World
- Coach a kid's soccer team
- Visit major cultural landmarks like the Eiffel Tower in France, the Taj Mahal in India, the pyramids of Egypt, Petra in Jordan, the Colosseum in Greece, Stonehenge in England, or Christ the Redeemer in Brazil
- Visit the beautiful temples of Bangkok, Thailand
- Go on a camel trek in the Sahara Desert
- Attend a traditional fiesta in Spain
- Explore the historic city of Kyoto, Japan
- Take a cruise to the stunning glaciers of Alaska
- Visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii in Italy
- Experience a traditional Japanese onsen (hot spring)
- Explore the ancient city of Petra in Jordan
- Go on a wine-tasting tour in Tuscany, Italy
- Visit the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia
- Attend a traditional Maasai tribe ceremony in Kenya
- Explore the historic streets of Prague, Czech Republic
- Attend a flamenco show in Seville, Spain
- Take a cooking class in the south of France
- Go on a wildlife safari in South Africa
- Visit the stunning beaches of Seychelles
- Attend a traditional tea ceremony in China
- Explore the ancient ruins of Tikal in Guatemala
- Take a cruise to Antarctica
- Take a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, Turkey
- Explore the historic city of Cartagena, Colombia
- Go on a cultural tour of the temples in Cambodia
- Attend a traditional tango show in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Take a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
- Visit the stunning fjords of New Zealand
- Go on a wildlife safari in Tanzania
- Attend a traditional Hawaiian luau
- Explore the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza in Mexico
- Take a cruise along the Norwegian fjords
- Visit the breathtaking Great Wall of China
- Go on a wildlife safari in India's national parks
- Attend a traditional Aboriginal ceremony in Australia
- Take up a new hobby, such as gardening, knitting, or woodworking
- Learn to code and build a website or an app
- Learn to meditate and practice mindfulness regularly
- Start your own business or pursue entrepreneurship
- Start a local shelter or charity organization
- Start a blog or vlog about a topic you're passionate about
- Learn to dance a specific style, such as salsa, hip-hop, or ballet
- Take a gourmet cooking class and master a signature dish
- Learn how to rock climb
- Learn to surf
- Organize a charity event for a cause you care about
- Learn to practice yoga and achieve advanced poses
- Become a mentor for someone in need of guidance and support
- Write an e-book on a topic you're knowledgeable about
- Take up gardening and grow your own fruits, vegetables, or flowers
- Learn to play chess and participate in local tournaments
- Start a podcast and share your knowledge or experiences with the world
- Learn to swim or improve your swimming skills
- Take up woodworking and create your own furniture
- Volunteer at a local hospital or healthcare facility
- Take a self-defense class and learn to protect yourself
- Learn to juggle or perform other circus skills
- Start a journal or blog to document your personal growth journey
- Take up calligraphy or hand-lettering and create beautiful art
- Learn to bake and master a variety of delicious desserts
- Take up astronomy and learn about the stars
- Learn to play a strategic board game, like chess or Go
- Learn to do magic tricks
- Take up archery
- Learn to sew or tailor your own clothes
- Start a YouTube channel and share your passions and talents
- Take up birdwatching
- Learn to do basic car maintenance and repairs
- Volunteer at a local school and help children with their studies
- Learn to do pottery or ceramics
- Start a gratitude journal and practice gratitude daily
- Attend a SuperBowl
- Go on a hot air balloon ride at sunrise or sunset
- Have a bonfire and stargaze on a clear night
- Go on a camping trip and disconnect from technology
- Have a movie marathon of your favorite films
- Go on a scenic hike that challenges you
- Have a themed dinner party with friends or loved ones
- Go on a road trip
- Take a scenic bike ride along the coast
- Start your own business or become an entrepreneur
- Speak at a major industry conference or event
- Become a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs or professionals in your field
- Collaborate with a renowned industry leader or influencer
- Become a thought leader and contribute to industry publications or blogs
- Win a prestigious industry award or recognition for your business
- Launch a successful crowdfunding campaign for a business or project
- Acquire or merge with another company to expand your business
- Attend a high-profile business summit or networking event
- Develop and launch a philanthropic initiative tied to your business
- Start a community garden or participate in a local gardening project.
- Donate blood regularly and help save lives
- Join a disaster relief organization and assist in providing aid during emergencies
- Offer free workshops to empower others in your community
- Create care packages for the homeless and distribute them in your city
- Explore all of the national parks in your region
- Take a nature photography expedition and capture stunning landscapes
- Go kayaking or canoeing in a calm river or lake
- Go horseback riding through beautiful trails
- Have a bonfire and roast marshmallows for s'mores
- Take a dip in a natural swimming hole or waterfall
- Go on a wildlife safari and observe animals in their natural habitats
- Have a nature-inspired art session and create artwork using natural materials
- Participate in a tree planting or environmental conservation project
- Take a sunrise or sunset hike
- Go to a nature-inspired photography or painting workshop
- Learn to identify constellations and stargaze at night.
- Try geocaching and embark on a treasure hunt in nature
- Try outdoor rock climbing or rappelling.
- Go on a nature-inspired picnic and prepare food with fresh, local ingredients
- Have a family-friendly nature scavenger hunt with riddles and clues
- Explore a nature reserve or wildlife sanctuary
- Take a guided horseback riding tour through scenic landscapes
- Go on a nature-themed geology or fossil-hunting expedition
- Have a family camping trip and share stories around the campfire
- Try your hand at outdoor photography, capturing flora, fauna, and landscapes
- Explore a local botanical garden or arboretum
- Try outdoor cooking and prepare meals over a campfire or grill
- Learn about wildlife tracking and identify animal footprints and signs
- Start an annual community clean-up event in a local park
- Travel to at least 10 different countries and experience diverse cultures
- Start a family
- Build and live in your dream home
- Achieve financial stability and independence
- Learn a new language fluently
- Volunteer regularly for a cause you deeply care about
- Climb a major mountain
- Achieve a specific career milestone or reach a desired professional position
- Complete a degree or pursue higher education
- Make a significant contribution to scientific research or innovation
- Travel to space or experience zero gravity
- Learn to surf, ski, or participate in an extreme sport that excites you
- Learn to paint, draw, or express your creativity through art
These are just a few of our best bucket list items. Yours will look different, and that’s the point. The possibilities are endless.
Time to bring your bucket list ideas to life
Ready to make your bucket list a reality? The first step is to write it down. Listing your goals in a journal can make them feel more real. There are no rules for how to journal, so you can organize your notebook however you want. But if you’re looking for a place to start, consider these journaling techniques:
- Manifestation journal: Whether you want to hike in New Zealand or be an ocean scientist in Maine, you must open yourself up to the possibilities. Use future-minded thinking to make your bucket list a reality.
- Gratitude journal: Keep a place to reflect on the special things you’ve done so far. This will be a great motivator to keep working on your list!
- Ideas journal: A dumping ground for all of your wildest dreams and ideas. Try not to filter yourself — the sky’s the limit! You can come back to them to see if they work as true bucket list items or if they were just fleeting ideas.
- Daily journal: Use your notebook to set daily goals, reflect on your experiences, and document your adventures. This will help you discover what activities are most meaningful to you.
- Vision journal: Instead of writing down your bucket list, why not visualize it? Create a vision board or scrapbook of everything you want to do.
If pen-and-paper isn’t your style, you can create your list in a computer document or spreadsheet. Better yet, create a profile on bucketlist.org or bucklist.net. Signing up will grant you access to customizable lists and goal-tracking tools. Plus, you can connect with other bucket listers online and be inspired by their achievements.
Moving forward with your bucket list
"One day, you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.”
Best-selling author Paulo Coelho had it right.
According to a 2018 study, the average employee will spend 25% of their lives working. But what we do with the other 75% of our lives is up to us. It’s important to carve out time to enjoy what the world offers, make new friends, create new family traditions, and build memories.
Having and following through on your bucket list ideas is a form of self-care. Whether you want to create a travel bucket list to go to Spain or prioritize your family and career, it’s never too late to start chasing your dreams and prioritize your emotional well-being. The world can be an overwhelming, even scary place, but you’re capable of anything you set your mind to.
Now that you’ve made your list of things, it’s time to go out and start making those ambitions a reality — even if it's outside your comfort zone. That’s where you’ll grow.
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