Youve probably seen people talking about their bucket list ideas on social media or blogs, but what is a bucket list? Simply put, a bucket list is a set of experiences that someone wants to have before they kick the bucket.
This might seem a little morbid, but its actually really important to have a bucket list! Bucket lists help you think about what you actually want out of your life. They also motivate you to learn about how you can make those dreams possible.
If you need a little help getting started, take a look at some of the amazing goals weve outlined below. To make things easier, these bucket list ideas are broken down into five categories with printable lists you can check off throughout the year.
Dont know where to start? Jump to specific bucket lists below:
- Bucket list ideas for travel
- Bucket list ideas for your career
- Bucket list ideas for health and wellness
- Bucket list ideas for finances
- Bucket list ideas for everything
Bucket List Ideas for Travel
It makes sense that some of the most common bucket list ideas are travel-related, as learning about a different country and culture can be a life-changing experience. Not only is seeing the world beneficial for you, but this is one of the best learning experiences you can provide if you have kids.Traveling allows children to discover a world outside their own, and understand and appreciate the diversity that life has to offer.
Here are some ideas to cross off your travel bucket list:
- Swim in each of the four major oceans
- Visit at least three out of the seven new Wonders of the World
- Touch six out of the seven continents [Antarctica is optional!]
- Journey to the Grand Canyon
- Road trip across the entire United States
- Go on a week-long cruise
- Experience the Northern Lights
- Dive at the Great Barrier Reef
- Hike through the Himalayas
- Go on a wildlife safari
If this list isnt detailed enough for you, here are some additional ideas to help round it out!
Swim in the Major Oceans and Seas
- Atlantic Ocean
- Pacific Ocean
- Indian Ocean
- Arctic Ocean
- Mediterranean Sea
- The Dead Sea
- The Red Sea
Visit all Eight Wonders of the World
There are actually seven new wonders and one honorary wonder!
- Honorary Member: The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt
- The Great Wall of China
- The ruins of Petra in Jordan
- The Colosseum in Rome
- Chichen Itza in Yucatan, Mexico
- Machu Picchu in Cuzco, Peru
- Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh, India
- Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other Travel Bucket List Ideas
- Sail around the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador
- Island hop around Greece
- Spend a week camping off the grid
- Spend a week in each of the major global cities [New York, Paris, London, and Tokyo]
- Swim with wild pigs in Exuma, Bahamas
Bucket List Ideas for Your Career
According to a recent study, the average person will spend over 13 years of their life at work. This is why its so important to set career goals for yourself so you find fulfillment and joy in this huge part of life.
Here are some career-focused goals you can put on your bucket list:
- Reach expert level in your field
- Mentor a younger or less experienced coworker
- Master a new work-related skill each year
- Speak at an industry conference or event
- Establish a healthy work-life balance
- Take a month-long vacation
- Start a business or side gig for something you are passionate about
- Have a positive work attitude every day
- Receive a big promotion
- Lead a major project through successful implementation
Your career bucket list can be a bit tricky to develop since many of the goals take time to reach. However, that just makes them all the more worthwhile! Here are a few more career-focused bucket list ideas.
Career Development Goals
- Find a job you love
- Find a way to love the job you have
- Negotiate a raise with your boss
- Write a book using the expertise youve gained during your career
- Tell someone how theyve inspired you
- Teach a workshop on your job skills at your local community center
- Complete industry certifications
- Take a job where you have to travel
- Support a cause thats important to you through donations or volunteering
- Retire early!
Personal Development Goals
- Learn how to negotiate workplace conflicts
- Learn something new about your industry every day
- Take more risks and try out-of-the-box ideas
- Figure out your personal brand
- Identify your strengths
- Identify your weaknesses
- Learn how to take constructive criticism
- Compliment a coworker every day on the good work they are doing
- Have pride in yourself and value your contributions
- Set a good example for your those you mentor
Bucket List Ideas for Health and Wellness
Setting goals for personal wellness is essential to healthy living. Most of us probably wouldnt choose to eat healthy food, exercise regularly, or meditate if we didnt care about our futures. Of course, each person is different and comes from a different background, so wellness goals vary from person to person.
Add some fitness and wellness goals to your bucket list:
- Go vegetarian for one month
- Go vegan for one month
- Eat an entirely plant-based diet for one month!
- Cook all your own meals for two weeks straight
- Meditate for 15 minutes every night before bed
- Schedule an appointment with a mental health counselor
- Get a gym membership
- Compliment yourself every day in the mirror
- Floss every night!
- Tell someone you love them every day [yourself and pets count too!]
Here are a few more creative wellness bucket list ideas to consider!
Physical Health Goals
- Find a fitness routine that works for you and stick to it
- Stretch for five minutes every morning
- Stand up and stretch every hour at work
- Eliminate processed foods from your diet
- Wear sunscreen for all outdoor activities
- Visit your physician every year for a check-up
- Reach your goal weight
- Get a minimum of eight hours of sleep every night
- Stay up-to-date on vaccines and flu shots
- Try a new type of exercise such as cycling, weight lifting, or barre classes
Emotional Health Goals
- Work on giving up any negative feelings youve been holding on to
- Get a plant for your workspace
- Find something to laugh at every day
- Take time to appreciate nature
- Make time for yourself every day
- Organize your home and workspace an organized life leads to an organized mind!
- Try yoga, reiki, acupuncture, or another type of relaxing therapy
- Spend time with people who make you happy
- Learn to stand up for yourself
- Focus on gratitude
Bucket List Ideas for Finances
One of the best things about creating a financial-focused bucket list is that youre actually killing two birds with one stone. Not only will this type of goal setting help you get your finances in order, but a healthy bank account will also allow you to cross off other items on your list.
Financial goals to put on your bucket list:
- Read five books about healthy finances
- Learn to do your own taxes
- Begin a college fund for each of your children
- Build up an emergency or rainy day fund
- Start a family vacation fund
- Work toward an excellent credit score
- Pay off your student loan debt
- Pay off all credit card debt
- Max out your IRA contribution
- Buy your own home and pay off the mortgage
If that isnt enough to look forward to, here are 20 more goals for financial success.
Ambitious Financial Goals
- Donate regularly to a charity youre passionate about
- Go back to school for your Masters or PhD
- Make a large purchase with only cash
- Start your own business
- Hire 10 employees
- Fully fund a charitable event
- Fully fund your IRA for one year
- Start a scholarship fund in your name
- Pay off someone elses debt
- Become a millionaire!
Finances and Family
- Teach your children the value of money from an early age
- Start a spare change jar at home
- Take out a life insurance policy
- Write your will
- Try to achieve a no spend month where you dont buy anything extra outside regular bills
- Donate to a charity of your childrens choice
- Keep accurate spending records
- Create a family budgeting plan
- Go green and save money on water and electricity bills
- Invest in a promising company
Bucket List Ideas for Everything
There are so many other great experiences that dont fit into these categories, so heres one more list of miscellaneous ideas. If youre passionate about something, its almost always worth pursuing.
Here are some random experiences to put on your bucket list:
- Become fluent in a new language
- Learn how to code
- Take an archery class
- Take up knitting or crocheting
- Try an extreme sport
- Learn how to play an instrument
- Try to learn a martial art
- Wake up to see the sunrise every day for a week
- Adopt a rescue animal
- Swim under a waterfall
Below are more bucket list ideas to get your imagination going.
Bucket List Adventures
- Ride horses on the beach
- Go bungee jumping
- Take a hot air balloon ride
- Visit an elephant sanctuary
- Attend the Olympics
- Be in the Saturday Night Live audience
- Be in a parade float
- Ride a mechanical bull
- Go skinny dipping at night
- Write a love letter
Bucket List Achievements
- Make a video that goes viral
- Learn to play chess
- Run a marathon, half marathon, or 5k
- Conquer a lifelong fear
- Learn how to cook an extravagant dish
- Finish a classic novel
- Paint a piece of art for your home
- Learn how to drive a stick shift
- Take a two-week vacation by yourself
- Set a Guinness world record
So, are you inspired yet? Its never too late to start planning your bucket list. Open your mind to the possibilities ahead and make them happen. Below is a blank bucket list to get you started.
Have you started planning for your familys future? Whether you have children now or want to grow your family, its important to start building a secure life now. This means getting your finances in order and figuring out how you are going to achieve everything you want in life. Term life insurance is a great place to start. Take a look at how Bestow can help you and your family live your best lives and fulfill your bucket list today.
Sources
Pinterest | Payscale | Dollar Sprout | Marriage, Kids, and Money | Elite Daily | Develop Good Habits