I’ve used the term before but I always preface it with, “I hate this saying.”
Bucket lists.
The idea is great. To come up with a list of goals and experiences you’d like to complete in your lifetime. But the connotation is that you have to be close to actually kicking the bucket before you start working on that list. I mean, 30 year-olds? They never use the term.
Reality is that no matter how old (or young) you are, you just never know when you’re going to die. So to keep a list of things to do before your fateful end means putting off what you desire most. Why not make this your “living list” and start enjoying it today not at some point down the road.
Me? I had always wanted to go to Papua New Guinea. This likely stemmed from my early teens when I came across a National Geographic in my parent’s collection that had photos of tribesman dressed in feathers and animal tusks. It was so exotic and foreign to my New Jersey upbringing. But I always thought it was something that I’d do “when I was older.” It seemed so unattainable.
But one day a few years ago, I thought about this and realized that I should practice what I preach. After all, I had been encouraging women to pursue their dream journeys. Why wasn’t I making plans for mine? In a turn of events that I won’t go into, I found myself in the country in 2010. I fortuitously met all the right people and had my first tour to Papua New Guinea lined up for less than a year later. Now I’ve been three times and PNG ranks as the most incredible travel destination I’ve ever experienced. Bar none.
In an effort to promote a more positive approach to us all making our dreams into reality, I propose we kill the b-list and come up with another term. Something like…
- Awesome List
- Dream List
- Life List
- Life Goals
- Life Dreams
Anything but bucket, please.
And, yup, you can bet at my next dinner party I’ll be talking about my Awesome List.
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
How to Get Over Your Fear of Travel
Hodophobia – The Fear of Travel
Photo credit:
Woman in Mountains – Cory Spruit
I’m not a fan of the “must do” list at all. I decided it was much more positive to have a list of all the fabulous things I’ve already done. I call it my “reverse bucket list”. I think everyone needs one, and needs to re-read theirs when they’re having a down day.
http://www.thedropoutdiaries.com/about-2/reverse-bucket-list/
I would so love to visit PNG too. But it’s so expensive to get there — even from Australia!
I admit to being a list person. I think the most effective way of getting things done is to put them on a list. You create the thought. You put it to paper. And through the subconscious it sinks in and (hopefully) becomes a reality.
Having said that, I think it’s a great idea, Barbara, to give ourselves credit for our accomplishments.
I just call it my “To Do List” – the same list where I write “do laundry” “travel to Mozambique” “Pick up milk”. 😉 It’s an all-purpose list.
I love the idea of a reverse bucket list though!
Too funny!
Toilet paper
Jump from an airplane
Orange juice
LOVE IT!
Whatever the term, having a list of goals gives us a sense of hope and adventure as we dream about actually checking something off. I just returned from an amazing trip to Greece – which had been on my list for over 20 years! It truly was a dream come true, and a trip I’ll cherish forever.
What a positive spin! Much needed, too. The other term I hate is “trip of a lifetime”. Which implies there will NEVER be another life-changing, dream trip in your life. Because if you take it with an upbeat, eyes-wide-open attitude, a simple drive an hour from your home can be a crazy, fun adventure, right?
I admit to using that “trip of a lifetime” thing every once in awhile but, you’re right, Laura. I’m gonna stop that nasty habit 🙂
Love Shelia’s comment about having goals that give us a sense of hope and adventure. I think that’s a fantastic thing to aspire to, whatever the name!
i loathe trips of a lifetime. because, really, even going to the grocery store can be a trip of a lifetime, if something crazy happens. LOL! i love the awesome list. YEP!
Okay, Beth, you’re going to laugh at this one, but I still have the grocery list I wrote in the ’90’s: toilet paper, milk, muffins, children, vegetables, fruit, dog food . . . I had no memory of writing “children” on the list and didn’t see it until I got to the store. Whoa!
Bucket list, reverse bucket list, whatever we call it, you make a great point: don’t put off going after your dreams!
I call mine a “Life List” or my “Escapades.” You can find it here: http://jenninsf.wordpress.com/life-list/
LOVE IT!! I completely agree. You have to live your life to the fullest each day because you have no idea what will happen. I was always a list person, but it seems like now I have thrown them away, I am actually doing more!! Take every opportunity you can 🙂
You make a good point…I think I’m going to go with Legendary List
I love this twist on an old idea. I think it’s so true that we don’t start checking off those must-do items until we feel we’re running out of time. We all think we have plenty of time to do everything we want in this lifetime, but the truth is that tomorrow is not guaranteed. It’s better to start now rather than to hold off for “someday.”
Love the idea of an “awesome list” and also combining travel with your regular to do list.
Great topic!
It doesn’t annoy me that much, but just enough to call mine list a To Do list. Imaginative, I think you’ll agree.
Where did this term even originate? I agree it is both an annoying term and concept. I don’t concentrate on lists, just try to get through the day and plan the next trip – when that one’s finished, start planning the next one. Boring? Too simple? I don’t know, but it works for me.
I don’t like the term only because it’s so cliché now. Way overused. But the idea is alright.
Thank you for posting this. There are several things my husband and I would like to do before we get too old to actively participate in them (ages 72 & 66). I’ve hated the term since the movie, but haven’t come up with a good alternative. Your list is a good place to start.
I did use this term in the past, but now dislike it also; bad vibes. I found this post through research on google, searched “bucket list hate”, while writing a blog on my new site. Good confirmation that this is not a favored term by some. I was searching for a better term and liked your list. For now, I settled on Adrenaline Rush List. I may change in the future, but am ready to post soon. Enjoyed your site.
How about “Living My Best Life List”?? Sounds so much better than a Bucket list