Most people think of a bucket list as a static document, thrown on paper so it is not forgotten. Many thing of it as a collection of hopes, wishes, and dreams scribbled down and then occasionally revisited to mark things off. Mine has never been like that solid or perfectly defined. My bucket list has had maybe too many iterations over the last 25 years. It has been evolving as my circumstances, situation, needs, wants, priorities, and understanding of the world have changed.
When I first noted my bucket list, it was built around things I believed I could realistically accomplish within my means before I was unable to do so. The goals were realistic, attainable, and focused on experiences that seemed possible given my financial situation and available opportunities. During the time I initially created it, the list served as an outline for adventures that I hoped to have without stretching beyond what I thought was achievable.
Changes and Adaptations
As time passed, my perspective and reach have broadened. I have begun to realize that the combination of travel and experiences should not be put into separate categories. A trip to a new destination often created opportunities to mark off new and unique experiences. Many memorable experiences require travel to reach them, so rather than treating them as distinct goals, I started combining them. This changed the way I thought about my bucket list. I now as myself “What experiences can I have while exploring the world?”
Like many things in life, my bucket list also reflects changes in my personal relationships. When I got married, I revisited the list and adjusted it to fit a shared life. Some goals became joint adventures, while others were replaced by dreams that made more sense for a couple. The list became less about individual accomplishments and more about experiences that could be enjoyed together.
Then life changed for me again. Following my divorce, I found myself reevaluating not only my future but also the goals I had set for myself over the previous 20 years. Some items no longer fit who I was, where I wanted to go, or what experiences I wanted to live. Others regained importance because they represented personal aspirations that had been set aside. Adapting the list during that period was both practical exercise and a personalized one. This entire process has helped me rediscover what was important to me as an individual with no children.
Over time, I also realized that my list wasn’t all-encompassing and there were experiences, destinations, achievements, and adventures that somehow never made it onto earlier versions. The more I explored the world and learned about new opportunities, the more I recognized the gaps were there for me to fill. Rather than viewing my bucket list as complete, I came to see it as a living document that needs periodic review and expansion.
Recently, I have spent time normalizing the data within the list as with any other document that grows organically over many years it somewhat of a mess. It had accumulated duplicates, inconsistent categories, and varying levels of detail related to the line item. Organizing and standardizing it has been a significant project, but one that has brought me closer to the vision I originally had for it. While I totally get that no bucket list is ever truly finished, especially for me, I feel like I am approaching a version that accurately reflects my interests, priorities, and ambitions.
One of the more enjoyable additions has been a growing collection of amusement parks and roller coasters. As I learned more about myself and some of the world’s most impressive coaster experiences, I couldn’t resist adding line items for them my list. There is something special about the combination of engineering, floater airtime, ejector airtime, adrenaline, wind in my face, and pure fun that makes these attractions worthy bucket-list items for me. Many legendary parks across the US have a number of record-breaking roller coasters on their grounds. This means there are now plenty of thrills waiting to be experienced by my and those that come along.
Bucket List Examples Yet to be Achieved
- Join the mile high club
- Party in Brazil while at Carnaval in Rio
- Eat sushi at “Jiro” in Tokyo
- Go to a huge concert at Wembley stadium
- See the spring flowers bloom in Death Valley (Super Bloom)
- Pack bags & set off for a random location with no itinerary
- Spend 3+ days at Burning Man
- Sunbathe nude on the French Riviera
- Visit Phi Phi Islands from Krabi, Thailand
- Snorkel (or scuba) the Great Barrier Reef
- Experience Zero Gravity (for more than 10 continuous seconds)
- See the old-school Vegas neon lights that were all retired
- Stay overnight at a clothing optional (nudist) resort
- Attend Wasteland Weekend in the Mojave
- Have clam chowder in New England
- Go to the Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival (early November)
- View a major Comet or Meteorite Impact Earth
- Do Songkran (Water festival in Bangkok)
Tying a Bow on the List May Not Ever Happen
Looking back, the most important lesson isn’t any specific item on the list. It’s the realization that a bucket list should evolve as I grow and change. My life changes and my circumstances shift, so new opportunities appear while old priorities fade. My bucket list remained unchanged for many years and probably hadn’t kept pace with the person who created it… me!
My bucket list has had many iterations, and I suspect it will continue to develop for years to come. That’s not a flaw in my process or the list; it’s evidence of my life still developing and that I am still learning. You know what… there are still new adventures worth pursuing for me and I will be doing them!