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Essay on Bucket List

Students are often asked to write an essay on Bucket List in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Bucket List

What is a bucket list.

A bucket list is a collection of dreams and goals that a person wants to achieve in their lifetime. It’s like a wish list for adventures, experiences, and achievements. People make such lists to remind themselves of all the exciting things they want to do before they get too old or run out of time.

Why Make a Bucket List?

Creating a bucket list can inspire you to live life to the fullest. It can help you focus on what’s truly important to you and encourage you to make decisions that add excitement and joy to your life.

What Can Be On a Bucket List?

Your bucket list can include anything! It might have travel destinations, skills to learn, or even simple joys like watching a sunrise. It’s all about personal dreams and what makes you happy.

Sharing Your List

Sharing your bucket list with friends or family can be fun. They can help you achieve your goals, and you can help them with theirs. It’s a way to make memories together and support each other’s dreams.

250 Words Essay on Bucket List

Why have a bucket list.

Having a bucket list can give you something to look forward to. It can help you feel excited about the future. When you write down your wishes, it can also help you work harder to make them come true. Plus, it’s a great way to keep track of your dreams and celebrate when you achieve them.

What Can Be on a Bucket List?

Your bucket list can have anything you dream of. It might be places you want to visit, like Disneyland or the Great Wall of China. Maybe you want to learn something new, like playing the guitar or speaking another language. It could also include helping others, like volunteering in a community garden.

Sharing Your Bucket List

Sharing your bucket list with friends or family can be fun. They can help you think of new ideas, and you might even find someone who wants to do some of the same things. This way, you can make memories together.

Start Your Own List

Creating a bucket list is easy. Just grab a piece of paper and start writing down anything that makes you smile or gets you excited. Remember, this is your list, so there are no rules. Dream big, and have fun planning your adventures!

500 Words Essay on Bucket List

A bucket list is a collection of dreams, goals, and experiences that a person hopes to achieve or have during their lifetime. The term “bucket list” comes from the phrase “to kick the bucket,” which means to pass away. This list is like a to-do list for your life, filled with things you want to do before you get too old or run out of time.

A bucket list can have all sorts of things that you find exciting or important. Some people might want to travel to different countries, see the wonders of the world, or learn a new language. Others might want to go skydiving, swim with dolphins, or climb a mountain. Your list can also include simple things like reading a certain book, learning to cook a new dish, or spending more time with family and friends.

How to Create Your Own Bucket List

Creating your own bucket list is a fun and easy process. Start by thinking about what makes you happy and what you have always wanted to do. Write these ideas down on a piece of paper or in a notebook. You can add to the list anytime you think of something new. Remember, this list is personal to you, so there are no right or wrong things to include.

Working on Your Bucket List

Having a bucket list is just the start. The real fun begins when you start doing the things on your list. It might take time and effort to check off each item, but the joy and satisfaction you get from accomplishing these goals are worth it. Some goals might be easy to achieve, while others might take years of saving and planning. The key is to keep working towards them and enjoy the journey.

In conclusion, a bucket list is a powerful tool that helps you focus on what you want to experience in life. It is not just about doing thrilling activities; it is about making your life richer and more fulfilling. Whether your list has five things or fifty, it represents your hopes and dreams. So, think about what you would love to do, create your bucket list, and start living your life to the fullest!

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Memory Lane and Beyond: Embracing a Life of Adventure with a Bucket List

This engaging essay delves into the essence of a bucket list, portraying it not just as a checklist of daring feats but as a deeply personal manifesto for living life to the fullest. It emphasizes the bucket list’s intimate nature, highlighting how it reflects individual desires for adventure, connection, and personal growth. The piece artfully discusses the creation of a bucket list as a reflective and evolving process, encouraging readers to regularly adapt their goals as they navigate through life’s changing tides. Moreover, it offers practical advice on transforming lofty dreams into achievable steps, advocating for starting small and embracing each moment. Ultimately, the essay celebrates the bucket list as a celebration of life itself, urging readers to savor each experience and craft a life story brimming with joy, wonder, and intentional living. At PapersOwl too, you can discover numerous free essay illustrations related to Memory.

How it works

When you hear ‘the bucket list,’ what springs to mind? Skydiving? Learning a new language? Or perhaps, sipping coffee in a quaint Parisian café? The concept of a bucket list, a compilation of goals, dreams, and experiences one hopes to achieve during their lifetime, has become a cultural phenomenon, propelling people to live their lives more fully, more adventurously. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about enriching your life’s narrative, one incredible chapter at a time.

The beauty of a bucket list lies in its deeply personal nature.

For some, it’s a call to adventure, an invitation to explore the unknown and test their limits. For others, it’s about connection – reconnecting with old friends, or forging bonds with new ones across cultures and continents. It can also be a journey inward, an opportunity to learn a new skill, to foster personal growth, or even to conquer fears.

Creating a bucket list is an art in itself. It’s more than just jotting down thrilling activities; it’s about reflecting on what truly makes your heart race, what ignites your passion, and what whispers to your curiosity. It’s about acknowledging that time is finite and recognizing that some experiences are too precious to postpone. Whether it’s witnessing the Northern Lights, writing a novel, or simply spending more quality time with loved ones, each item holds the potential to add depth, joy, and meaning to your life.

But here’s the kicker – a bucket list is not set in stone. It’s a living, breathing document that evolves as you do. Life has a way of opening new doors, introducing us to unexpected passions, and shifting our perspectives. What you yearn for today might not hold the same allure tomorrow, and that’s perfectly okay. The list can change, grow, and adapt, just like you.

However, it’s one thing to create a bucket list and another to actualize it. This is where many stumble, viewing their list as a distant dream rather than a series of attainable goals. The secret? Start small, start now. Break those big, daunting goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Instead of ‘travel the world,’ how about starting with ‘explore a new town this month’? Instead of ‘learn to play an instrument,’ perhaps ‘attend a guitar lesson this week.’ It’s about creating momentum, celebrating the small wins, and keeping the flame of motivation alive.

In the end, the bucket list is more than a collection of experiences; it’s a celebration of life. It reminds us to savor the moment, to embrace the beauty of the world, and to live each day with intention and wonder. It’s about making memories that will warm you on the coldest of days and stories that will make you smile in the quietest of moments. So, grab that pen, start dreaming, and remember – in the book of life, the pages are yours to fill. Make it a story worth reading.

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Memory Lane and Beyond: Embracing a Life of Adventure with a Bucket List. (2024, Jan 26). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/memory-lane-and-beyond-embracing-a-life-of-adventure-with-a-bucket-list/

"Memory Lane and Beyond: Embracing a Life of Adventure with a Bucket List." PapersOwl.com , 26 Jan 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/memory-lane-and-beyond-embracing-a-life-of-adventure-with-a-bucket-list/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Memory Lane and Beyond: Embracing a Life of Adventure with a Bucket List . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/memory-lane-and-beyond-embracing-a-life-of-adventure-with-a-bucket-list/ [Accessed: 24 Aug. 2024]

"Memory Lane and Beyond: Embracing a Life of Adventure with a Bucket List." PapersOwl.com, Jan 26, 2024. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/memory-lane-and-beyond-embracing-a-life-of-adventure-with-a-bucket-list/

"Memory Lane and Beyond: Embracing a Life of Adventure with a Bucket List," PapersOwl.com , 26-Jan-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/memory-lane-and-beyond-embracing-a-life-of-adventure-with-a-bucket-list/. [Accessed: 24-Aug-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Memory Lane and Beyond: Embracing a Life of Adventure with a Bucket List . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/memory-lane-and-beyond-embracing-a-life-of-adventure-with-a-bucket-list/ [Accessed: 24-Aug-2024]

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Essay Samples on Bucket List

A bucket list is a list of things one hopes to do before they die. It can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and goal-setting. Writing the bucket list essay can be a fun and meaningful way to explore your dreams and aspirations.

There are many different ways to approach a bucket list essay. Some people focus on their long-term goals, while others focus on more immediate desires. You could also organize your essay around different categories, such as travel, career, and personal development.

To write a compelling bucket list essay, it’s important to be honest and specific about your goals. Use vivid language to bring your dreams to life and convey your passion for achieving them. Be sure to include both big, ambitious goals and smaller, more achievable ones.

Remember, the purpose of bucket list essays is not just to list your goals, but to reflect on what matters most to you and why. So take the time to explore your dreams and aspirations, and don’t be afraid to be bold and adventurous in your writing.

If you’re struggling to come up with ideas for your bucket list, try brainstorming with friends or family members or better use our platform to find numerous bucket list essay examples for free.

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I Completed My Bucket List. Now What?

“What if today were my last day on Earth?”

young woman handwriting at notebook while looking at map

The idea of mortality was new to me. When I was in high school, I read Tuesdays with Morrie and that quote stuck with me. What if today really was my last day on Earth?

my bucket list

The idea of a bucket list made sense to me. I was always a list person...living my day-to-day life in an organized, structured routine. Sit, think and write my to-do list of items to tick off. "When you write it down, you make it a real possibility," says Chase Boehringer of The Bucketlist Lifestyle. "It's no longer in the back of your head. Seeing your dreams in front of you gives you a clear picture of what is possible."

PUTTING PEN TO PAPER

I started my list with "graduating from college" and put it to the side. At the time, I was lucky enough to say that all of my immediate family was healthy and alive. I didn’t even feel like I truly started living yet, so why would I be thinking about dying? When 9/11 happened, that quote echoed in my head.

graduating from college

Hearing stories of lives lost tragically and unexpectedly made me wonder if now was the time to start thinking beyond my short-term goal. "Let's face it, death is typically something we would rather not think about," says Annette White, author of Bucket List Adventures . "The reminder that our time is limited is actually one of the best gifts we can be given. We have one chance to live this life. Just one. And in order to make it the greatest, we need to be acutely aware that we are not immortal, and then we need a plan for living our best lives."

LIFE HAPPENED

I filled in numbers 2-10 and tucked my notebook away. I didn't give myself a timeline for completing the list, but I did worry about putting it off. But the years passed and I forgot about the list. I found it when I was packing up to move into my home. Nostalgia set in and I was right back to my college dorm—planning and dreaming about the future. Throughout the years, as I experienced some of these moments, I remembered my list and would check things off.

wheel of fortune

BUCKET LIST 1.0

To my surprise, I finished my list by the time I turned 35. At first, I felt a sense of accomplishment. "For those of us who love to-do lists, you know the feeling you get when you cross off an important item on your list," says Boehringer. "The feeling of accomplishment that comes from setting a goal, planning it out and taking the action to cross it off—you feel like a champion."

LOOKING BACK

Once I finished that list, I started judging it. It's clear how trivial some of those dreams were. Meeting a celebrity, filling a binder full of Playbills. Each item on my list had a story that I could share—my meaningful experience. Even though I knew there was no set of rules for my list, I was second guessing myself.

author in moscow

Visiting Russia and meeting my extended family was an experience I put at the top. As a child of immigrants, I was born in the U.S. and always felt very American. But I was raised in a Russian-speaking house. To this day, I still speak to my parents in Russian. Connecting to their roots helped me expand mine. My other must-do was to appear on a game show. I always watched them when I was growing up and thought it looked so easy to hit it big. Spoiler alert: I didn't.

CROSSING THINGS OFF

Bucket lists can get a bad rap. Some believe that taking that selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower is less about the experience of taking in French history and more about being able to say you did it. "If you're just stepping foot inside a country to get the passport stamp and then you exit, good luck to you," says Trav Bell, The Bucket List Guy, a speaker and coach. "It's about the growth of the person on that journey."

author in front of her purchased home

"It’s not just about writing a whole bunch of stuff down and ticking it off," says Bell. "It's really underneath the surface about how a person reverse engineers their life in order to make that stuff come to fruition. More importantly, it’s about the person that we don’t know yet—our potential. For me, I dove into living a regret-free life instead of a regretful life."

playbill binder

STARTING OVER

With time, that feeling of accomplishment faded and was replaced with a bit of emptiness. I felt a little lost and suddenly, life felt very ordinary. Life's must-dos were replaced by life's to-dos—and nothing felt very exciting. "Now it's time to assess what else you might want to tackle that will help you to live without regrets," says Caroline Adams Miller, author of Creating Your Best Life. " On your first list, did you take big risks or were they low-hanging fruit goals?"

BUCKET LIST 2.0

The first thing I did was create a new list based on some achievements from my first list. We adopted a rescue dog almost two years ago and now I’m motivated to match her energy level and hike a few miles with her. I’ve done a lot of things that terrified me...the most memorable being the Leap of Faith, a 60-foot near vertical slide at Atlantis in the Bahamas. I’m going to keep conquering fears as I face them.

My new bucket list also has more of a mix of goals. Some are small, like planting a garden (and keeping it alive). Others will take more time, like saving enough to take my mom on a trip to France for her 70th birthday. "It doesn’t matter how big or small your bucket list dreams are," says Margie Lenau, owner of Wonderland Family Vacations, LLC. "It doesn’t matter what experiences you're looking for, complicated or simple. Just knowing that this is on your bucket list will help you achieve it."

author's adopted rescue dog

I’m also going to start checking in on my list, something White recommends doing at least once a year. "Over the course of our lives, we evolve and so should our bucket lists," she says. "Even though at a particular point in time you may feel that you have accomplished absolutely everything you want to, we all change."

If you find yourself with a completed bucket list, don't stop setting goals for yourself. Take that feeling of accomplishment from your first list and keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Bell recommends a bucket list snowball: putting little things on your list that will empower you with momentum to smash through the bigger ones. You may also want to tackle a few things from an anti-bucket list, one full of things you never want to do. But first, I’m going to plant that garden.

Headshot of Jennifer Vishnevsky

Jennifer is a freelance writer/editor covering entertainment, lifestyle, travel and health. When she's not working, she's watching Broadway musicals and applying to be a game show contestant

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220 bucket list ideas to change your life

Selfie-Of-Friends-Traveling-In-Off-Road-Car 2

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 w orking 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. 

Woman-Feeds-Man-Street-Taco

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
  • 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
  • See a show on Broadway
  • Coach a kid's soccer team
  • 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 sty le, 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. 

Understand Yourself Better:

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Allaya Cooks-Campbell

With over 15 years of content experience, Allaya Cooks Campbell has written for outlets such as ScaryMommy, HRzone, and HuffPost. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and is a certified yoga instructor as well as a certified Integrative Wellness & Life Coach. Allaya is passionate about whole-person wellness, yoga, and mental health.

Get closer to your dreams: 20 examples of monthly goals that work

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The Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Your Bucket List

bucket list title

At the age of 26, Ted thought he had it all.

But little did he know his world was about to get shocked to the core. He had just grown and sold a company for a boatload of cash. Bought his family houses, a fleet of cars, and was traveling the world. Things seemed like they couldn’t get better…

Until one fateful day, he not only had a very close brush with death, but he spent a harrowing 35 minutes waiting for it.

He was 30,000 feet up, and his plane was going down. And as the minutes ticked by, and as he prepared for a crash landing, he realized he would die unhappy:

“As you are praying and thinking, none of the things that you had were the things that you were going to miss. It was not like “Oh, if I only bought that third car.” So, you just go through this and think “I just have so much more to do…”

After luckily making it out alive, one of the first things Ted Leonsis did was create his, now famous, “ 101 things to do before you die .”

It was years later that I found myself asking the same questions Ted was forced to ask himself as he propelled back to earth. Mainly, what makes a good life, and what does that look like for me? I’m not sure what it was, but I came to the realization that although we may be breathing, it does not mean we are actually living.

“Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with their song still in them.” Henry David Thoreau

The status quo is fundamentally unremarkable; therefore, we need to live awry… I know you agree, otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading this right now. And writing your bucket list is pretty much the number one way to do this because it shifts your life in a couple of profound ways:

First, it holds you alone accountable. It’s your list, and yours alone. Anything and everything you add is something you are choosing to accomplish someday, regardless of anyone else.

Second, it creates a blueprint for an intentional life. You may have heard me beat the drum on “living an intentional life” before, and that’s because there’s no other way to LIVE. Creating a bucket list puts you in the driver’s seat of your short life.

And that’s my hope for you with this guide…

That you will dig deep, find out what makes you happy, build out a killer bucket list around those things, and work towards accomplishing them. I promise you that doing this WILL drastically change your life and that you’ll never look back.

But First, before we dive in, let’s go over a few helpful things that will ensure your list doesn’t fall by the wayside.

It’s not all about travel.

bucket list

I get it… You’re a travel junkie just like me. So, it’s going to be hard not to fill your entire list with far-off places and experiences you’ve always daydreamed of. But it’s not all about travel.

As you’ll soon see, we’ve broken things based on main categories like family, learning, health, etc. So, don’t forget that just because you can’t be traveling year ’round it doesn’t mean you still can’t be hammering out some awesome bucket list items.

It’s a living document.

Things change… and that’s good. So, your bucket list will have to follow suit.

For example, I used to have ‘bike through India for 4 months’ as a bucket list goal. But considering that it would be a bit tough with two little kids, I will either toss it, alter it, or keep it for later knowing it might not happen. And I’m fine with that. When life changes, change your bucket list. This is absolutely cool, as long as you’re still actively doing it!

Mix in the small with the big.

Similar to it not being all about travel, it doesn’t all have to be wildly large goals. So, consider adding smaller items—things you’ve always wanted to do but just haven’t gotten around to yet.

Maybe it’s planting a tree, learning to sew, paying for the person’s coffee behind you in line at the cafe, or running the pool table.

The same goes for adding things you want to do in your hometown or nearby because it’ll keep you progressing… And this will keep you activated with your list, while you simultaneously work towards the big ones (and it’s so much fun crossing off an item, even if it’s a small one!).

Be specific.

In order to actually check off your goals, they need to be specific. For example, “lose weight” is a good goal, but it’s not nearly specific enough to add to your list. And that’s because you have no idea when you’ve got there.

Instead, “drop to XXlbs” is perfect (if the weight is your goal, it might be body fat %, etc.) and you’ll know exactly when you can cross it off.

Do it for YOU.

This list is about you. So, don’t add items based on whether other people will think they’re cool.

Here’s the litmus test: Would you still do it if you couldn’t tell another soul? Do you really want to climb Everest? Do you really want to skydive? Do you really want to read Infinite Jest? If so, add ‘em! If not, skip them and add items that get YOU jacked up, whether anyone else on earth knows about it or not.

Add items you’ve already done.

If you have already accomplished stuff you would have added to your bucket list, then toss them into the mix with a big fat checkmark beside it!

What’s cool about this list is that over time it’s a great way to reminisce about the things you’ve done, the experiences you’ve had… all of which will have had a big part in shaping who you ended up being as a human (and I’d bet a better one with a list than not).

Be accountable.

To really spark a fire under your tush, find accountability. Inside our Life Listr app, we have a step in the creation of a new goal that allows you to share that goal with friends or family over Facebook or Twitter.

You don’t have to go as far as posting it for everyone on your social feed to see (although that’s not a bad idea), but the premise behind it is important: get someone to hold you accountable (or join you in that goal) so you don’t let it slip.

Let’s Get Started… It’s now time for the real fun stuff – writing your bucket list!

Follow these steps to create a bucket list of your very own.

Step 1: Give It A Name

give it a name

For more than any other reason, it’s just fun to name your list. If you remember, Ted Leonsis named his “101 things to do before you die,” which is a classic title (although I’d change to “… before I die.”) but also has a definitive number, which you might not want to do.

Some other ideas are:

  • My Life List
  • 101 Things To Do While Alive (if you want to give it a number)
  • My Dream List
  • My Life’s Aspiration List
  • My Lifetime Goals
  • Things to Achieve in My Lifetime
  • My Life’s To Dos
  • My Life’s Bucket List
  • Things to Conquer
  • [YOUR NAME]’s How To Live Guide
  • The Life Plan
  • My Life Blueprint In XXX Goals (if you want to give it a number)
  • My Life’s Must Dos
  • My Livin’ Right Blueprint

…and on and on. You get the point. Play around with your favorites on the next page and, remember, all of this can be changed so don’t overthink it.

Step 2: Brain Dump!

brain dump

We’ll get into fine-tuning and categorizing your bucket list shortly but, for now, just start tossing your BIG ideas down on paper or, of course, inside Life Listr ).

Don’t even think twice about them—about the money involved, the difficulty, or the criticism—just get ‘em down! We’ll walk you through plenty more ways to top up your list, but this step is about brain-dumping the big ones, the ones that you’ve always wanted, the ones that you always think about. Go for it.

Step 3: Pick Your Categories

categories

Now that you’ve unloaded the big ones, let’s pick your categories.

Here’s our recommended list:

  • Adventure & Experience
  • Health/Fitness
  • Learn (Skills/Knowledge)
  • Do Good (Charity)
  • Work (Career/Business)
  • Family & Friends

If any categories don’t fit your list, toss or ignore them.

Step 4: Categorize Your Brain Dump

organize

Now take your initial brain dump list and place each item in its most-fitting category. You’ll probably see that some overlap, and that’s totally fine. In fact, many will overlap in some regard. So just choose the most fitting category and plug them in. As you can see, your list is beginning to take shape!

Step 5: Brainstorm Time!

brainstorm

Before we load you up with more ideas than you can handle (don’t skip ahead! This is important!)… I want you to first brainstorm more ideas on your own because doing this will ensure that your list is as true to you as possible, without you having to over-think all your goals later and decide.

So think about these questions and add items to your list.

  • What’s something you’ve said “Oh, I could NEVER do that” but have secretly dreamed of doing?
  • What’s the wildest thing you can think of that would give you massive bragging rights? (and only add things that you’d still do if no one could ever know)
  • What major life changes would you like to make one day?
  • In the last year, have you done anything that seems bucket list worthy? Add it and use it to think of similar things that might also be bucket list worthy for you.
  • Think of your hobbies… are there any big goals related to them that you’d like to accomplish one day?
  • If you were to die tomorrow, what would you wish you could do before it happens?
  • What would you do if you had unlimited time, money and resources?
  • What have you always wanted to do but have not done yet?
  • Any countries, places or locations you want to visit?
  • What have you always dreamed of laying your eyes on?
  • What family dreams do you want to have? What about with friends?
  • What experiences do you want to have/feel?
  • Any work or business goals you’ve always had?
  • What activities or skills have you always wanted to learn?
  • Any fitness goals you want to achieve?
  • What about your finances—any big goals you have?
  • Look again into each of your categories… are there any goals you can think of that fit? Take any ideas you’ve derived from these questions and add them.

Those questions will certainly put the hamster wheel in high gear. Now, let’s take it deeper… See, you probably already have a sweet list of cool things to do, have, and experience. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t share with you the #1 way, I know of to dig deeper and find out what would give your life the greatest meaning it could. Here’s the deal…

If I offered you a crystal ball to peer into your future, to find out exactly how your life would be laid out, would you take it? We don’t have that. We have something better because what follows puts you in the driver’s seat before it’s too late and all in hindsight. But it’s going to take some kahunas because you’re going to have to face your own death… 

Introducing, The Obituary Exercise. It comes from our friend Roz Savage’s technique on getting more of what YOU want out of life while you still can.

Click to Download The Obituary Exercise

I have no doubt that going through this exercise is a LIFE CHANGER. It was the beginning of Roz becoming an ocean rowing world record holder (multiple times) and even the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year!

Please take the time to go through this. Who knows where you’ll end up! And that’s the best part because this process may light up some repressed dreams—stuff that makes you truly you. After you go through the exercise, take what you’ve created and write them as goals.

Step 6: My Bucket List

bucket list

Now that you’ve brainstormed, categorized, and piled up a slew of bucket-list-worthy ideas in this guide, it’s finally time to compile your master list.

Psst! Need some more inspiration? We got you covered with a list of Bucket List Travel Experiences here .

Step 7: Give It A Once-Over

look it over

Now that you’ve finished creating your list, go over it one last time and cut anything that isn’t truly compelling… that isn’t truly you.

And it’s okay to be tough with this because the goal is for you to accomplish your list, right? So anything that you’re not going to put in the work to do because you don’t want it bad enough, nix it. Then, what’s left will be the stuff you’re jacked up to get done!

Step 8: Get Specific

be specific

The last thing you’re going to do is go over your finalized list and make sure everything is specific enough like we discussed earlier.

So go over your list now and add the details that will allow you to KNOW you’ve done them, without a doubt. Now let’s get into the easy process for living your list.

Step 9: How To Actually Get It Done

get it done

Congrats on creating your very own bucket list! And if you thought that was fun, you’re in for a treat because dreaming is only the beginning of living a bucket-list worthy life… now you have to actually LIVE IT! And here’s how:

Phase 1: Create A Focus List 

The big problem with creating such a grandiose list as you’ve just done is that it’s hard to know where to start. Now all you need to do is pick 1-5 goals to focus on, and no more than that. Of course, this can be tough too. So let’s walk through a few ways to make it easier on ya…

First things first, pick one item you can do in the very near future. The reason is that it’ll get you off on the right track with a skip in your step because you’ll actually be accomplishing your bucket list and not just dreaming about it. (You can even use 2 fairly easy goals you can accomplish fairly soon if you’d like.) Another idea is to create mini-lists within your main list so have a smaller, more manageable group of goals to accomplish.

For example, you could create a seasonal mini-list, such as a “Spring 2020 Mini-List,” or a “#WinterGoals” list. Then, mark all the items you can accomplish during that season. Another example is to make a list for your current year (“Nailing Life In 2020”), or one based on your age (“40 Before 40”).

What’s good about these mini-lists is that they put a deadline on a group of goals, which will inevitably light a fire under your butt to get on with them!

And outside of mini-lists and adding an easier goal or two, you ideally want to add 2-3 tasks that need work, so you can continually be working towards them and crossing off the big life goals at the same time as some smaller ones. 

Phase 2: Plan Your Focus Goals

You know the goal, you know it’s a focus, now let’s set you up with the easiest way to eat an elephant (one bite at a time). For each of your Focus Goals, do the following:

Choose a realistic deadline:  It’s okay to be aggressive, but also be realistic.

Create your action steps plan: This is the meat of why you’ll live your list because you’ve created action steps and took action on them! Without doing this, you’ll be leaving it all up to luck and, most likely, time will zip by and you’ll realize you didn’t do nearly the amount of stuff you wanted.

For each goal have a spot for 3 action steps, a title, a due date, and a cost. Many tasks, like “research the smartest way to learn guitar,” won’t have a cost associated, so just leave it blank. But I suggest you do put a title and a due date for each. Then, I recommend you add that task to whichever ToDo List app you may use, or even just to your phone’s calendar, so you can be alerted of these deadlines so you stick to them (we also alert you of your deadlines in the LifeListr app if you’d like).

Phase 3: Get Started!

This new bucket list journey you’re on is exactly that: a journey . It’s not a sprint, it’s a way of life.

And your main priority in all of this is to simply keep progressing. That’s it! What will happen as you work on the action steps of your focus goals will be magical, and your life will never be the same. You’ll feel like you’re living with purpose and intention.

This will snowball into more adventure, more experiences, and an even stronger drive to live the width of your short life, not just the length of it. 

I applaud you for grabbing your life by the reigns. After you’ve hammered out a few items on your list, please share them with us over Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , email us . We LOVE to hear about and brag about our community members making incredible things happen in their lives!

Onwards and upwards, amigo.

P.S. If you want a dedicated place to keep your bucket list brainstorming, master list and focus goals – you’ll want to check out The Bucket List Blueprint!

Bucket List Blueprint

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Bucket List — The Transformative Power of a Bucket List

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The Transformative Power of a Bucket List

  • Categories: Adventure Sports Bucket List

About this sample

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Words: 818 |

Published: Mar 16, 2024

Words: 818 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

  • Reflect on your values and passions: What are the things that truly matter to you? What activities or experiences bring you joy and fulfillment? By identifying your values and passions, you can set goals that resonate with your true desires.
  • Embrace new experiences: A bucket list is an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and embrace new experiences. Whether it's traveling to a new destination, learning a new skill, or trying a new activity, be open to new opportunities that can enrich your life.
  • Set specific and achievable goals: When creating your bucket list, be specific about the goals you want to achieve. Whether it's running a marathon, volunteering for a cause you care about, or learning a new language, setting clear and achievable goals will help you stay focused and motivated.
  • Prioritize experiences over material possessions: While material possessions can bring temporary satisfaction, experiences and memories have a lasting impact. When creating your bucket list, focus on experiences and adventures that will create lasting memories and enrich your life.

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my bucket list in life essay

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My Bucket List

For example, some students don’t like the word “essay” because it seems like work. So, I used the word ‘letter’ instead or ‘essay.’ I asked my students to write a letter to describe their ‘bucket list.’ My students’ results were impressive (considering that they are exhausted from studying for grade 7 tests).

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Writing Lesson

In this writing lesson, write a five-paragraph letter that talks about things you want to do in your life.

‘My bucket list’ is the subject of the letter. ‘Bucket list’ is a slang phrase for your life goals. It’s the things you want to do before you die. Bucket list comes from the English expression – kick the bucket – which means to die.

The letter about your life dreams should tell a story, with a beginning, middle, and conclusion. Your letter should include:

  • details about what you wan to do
  • good paragraph structure
  • an introduction and a conclusion
  • sentences that read smoothly

Writing Prompts

Here is the writing prompt to start your thinking. “Before I go, I want to …”

In this sentence ‘go’ means die.

Choose one (or more) of these ideas for your letter: “Before I go, I want to …”

Student Writing

Here are two examples of student writing. They are grade 7 students. English is not their first language. This is what they wrote after one edit. I have not changed their writing.

Dear Grandpa,

It’s me. It’s been almost 2 years since you kicked the bucket. I want to do things you couldn’t before I kick the bucket.

Before I go to meet you, first I want to go to an amusement park with my grandma. You always told me your stories about when you were young. Also you told me about when you hoped to get better and go to an amusement park with grandma. So, before I kick the bucket, I would like to visit an amusement park with my grandma.

Second, I want to go into FNC Academy. FNC is a place where FT Island and Oh Won-bi work. When I go to FNC Academy, I will learn very much and go out to the world. You always wanted me to be a talk show host! I will try to become the legend of talk show hosts.

Third, as you wanted, I will make my sister become a famous violinist. When she becomes a famous violinist, I promise to visit you. I think she can be the next famous violinist in the world.

Fourth, I want to become a scientist. I will make a time machine and go back to the time when you were not sick. I will give you the medicine to make you better. And we will live happily ever after.

Lastly, I hope you come back. I hope you come back and have a nice time with me and do everything we couldn’t do when you were sick. This is the thing I have always wanted. Then let’s meet after I kick the bucket.

Have a nice Christmas,

Dear Santa Claus,

Hi Mr. Santa. It’s me. I am a 14 year old girl who has many dreams. There are some things I would like to do before I kick the bucket.

I would like to visit the DMZ. A school teacher said the DMZ is the cleanest place in the world because no one has been there for 60 years. I heard that there are many explosives but I hope to avoid a landmine if I go there.

I would like to see FT Island in concert. Preferably, a front row center seat. Then I can see them easily. Even thinking about it makes me happy. It would be cool to sit in the front seat and scream.

I would like to go to FNC Academy. FNC Academy is where FT Island, Oh Won-bi and CN Blue work. These are my favorite singers. I will like to go there with J and look around inside. Maybe Han Sung -ho will let J go on a comedy show.

These are the things I want to do before I kick the bucket. I hope you help me do these things. Thank you for reading my letter, Santa Claus. I will wait for your present on X-mas. Bye. ASAP.

2 thoughts on “My Bucket List”

Great idea! Thank you.

Thanks for the super positive comment, Kristen. If you try this writing exercise, let me know how it works.

Rob, the brains behind this website

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Goals / Bucket List

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