Writing Your Bucket List
Last Updated: November 3, 2025
DREAM IT. WRITE IT. DO IT.
WHAT IS A BUCKET LIST • WHY HAVE ONE • WHEN TO WRITE IT • HOW TO WRITE IT • FAQS
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"If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try."
- Seth Godin
Writing your bucket list isn't just an admin task!
A good bucket list is your compass - for your travels and your life.
Knowing what you want to achieve, written in black and white in front of you, means you always have a direction to be heading in.
Here's how to never be without inspiration again.
First Up - What's a Bucket List?
It's a list of things to do before you 'kick the bucket'.
Cheerful, huh?
A bucket list is a big ol' checklist of everything you want to do, see, experience and achieve in your life - ready and waiting to be ticked off.
So Why Have One?
Let us ask you a question:
How often do you do something so incredible you simply stop, feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and bask in the wave of emotion that just crashed over you?
I'm gonna guess not very often.
By having a bucket list written and close to hand on your desk, fridge, phone, or wherever you'll see it regularly, it will make you more likely to chase those paradise moments.
And that's nice.
Here's 6 Benefits to Writing Your Bucket List:
- Gets You Motivated - Looking at all the cool shit you want to do really gets you pumped to do it!
- Stops You Forgetting - How often have you thought 'I have to do that!' and then... didn't?
- Helps Plan Itineraries - No more 'What now?' for you! The journey plans itself.
- The Achievement - Ticking that one off after a truly magical experience is the cherry on top.
- Shapes Your Future - The journey your list takes you on will change the path your life takes.
- Records Your Journey - Reminiscing over a well-ticked bucket list... It just takes you back.
When Should You Write it?
Really? After reading that, and you've not already got that pen out?!
Why do I bother?
A bucket list is a living, breathing, and very personal document. It's not a 'one-and-done' project. It grows and changes with you.
Our advice? Start now - even if you don't know what to write yet.
Grab a piece of paper, slap the words 'My Bucket List' on top, and wait for inspiration to strike.
Don't force it. A bucket list should be the things you want most - not a list of maybes.
It can start small. One or two ideas - and let it grow as your ideas flow. We've both had ours for years, sitting there ready to capture new dreams as they arise.
How To Write Your Bucket List
You've got that piece of paper ready now, right?
The basic question we're answering is:
If you could do anything (at all!), what would you do?
Want to climb Everest? Cool. Add it.
Saw someone skydive in a film and thought, 'Hell yeah"? Write it down.
You dream of falling in love? Cute. Get it on there.
It's that easy!
Wellllllllll... sometimes it can be.
Yet, sometimes, things just don't flow, and that's frustrating. "How can I not think of anything I want to do with my life?!"
Been there. Felt it. It's not just you.
If you're suffering from the same writer's block, one of these should get things moving. They're like... bucket list laxatives. Keeps you flowing.
The Far Out Bucket List Laxatives
(Yes, we're sticking with that name)
Visualisation
This one is kinda in the meditation camp - so get comfy (you don't have to sit like the Buddha for this to work), maybe put some soft music on, and close your eyes.
Spend at least 5 minutes picturing yourself in the future. You're happy, relaxed, fulfilled and successful. Watch Future You going about their life. Notice what they've done, what they look like, what makes them tick. Where are they? Who are they with? You can even try approaching them and asking for advice.
If you like what they've got - do what they've done!
Charlie's note - This blew my mind when I did it. I am aware this may not be for everyone, but give it a try. Be patient - the sitting and feeling awkward will pass.
The Question Game
Grab a mate, family member, or any passing stranger, and get them to hit you with some really simple, quick-fire questions.
What's your name? How old are you? Where are you from? When's your birthday?
Your job is to answer without thinking.
After six, seven, eight questions, they'll scatter in some stuff like:
What's your dream job? Where do you want to live? What do you want to see?
We're tricking your brain into answering on autopilot. You have ideas in there somewhere, they just need a bit of coaxing.
If one of your answers makes you smile? Write it down. That's the start of your bucket list.
Inspiration Theft
Yep. Just steal shit.
Now, I know your mum told you you were the special snowflake, but sometimes other people are too. And sometimes their ideas fuckin' rock!
Check what cool shit other people are doing. Not just travelling, but what they're doing with their lives. What do you look at and go "Damn. I want that."?
If it's lighting that fire somewhere in you - write it down!
Who cares if you're not the first? I bet the second-ever billionaire wasn't too put out.
Steal From Our Bucket Lists:
Bucket List FAQs
How many things should I have on my bucket list?
As many as you like, as long as they fire something in you! Charlie has around 50, while Greg has over 100 (because he keeps adding two every time he ticks one off!)
Should I feel something when I tick an item off the bucket list?
Ideally? Yes!
But in reality, sometimes shit doesn't live up to expectations, and that particular bucket list tick can be a bit underwhelming. It sucks, but it happens. Chalk it up as a loss (but tick it off anyway!), and move on to bigger and better things. You've got others written down.
Can I add more stuff?
Yes!
Bigger is better. Or so we're told...
Is a bucket list for everyone?
We say yes.
Others may say no. But it ain't gonna hurt ya to have some dreams written down.
What if I fuck it up?
That's the good part: you can't!
As long as Every. Single. Item on there matters to YOU - you're good.
It's not what matters to your friends, family, us, or that Instagram guy you saw. It's yours, and yours alone.
What Next?
Get out there and start ticking them off!
Look at how you can make these things happen. Some will be easy, others a bit harder. But you can get the ball rolling.
Want more than just a tick?
So did Nike.
It doesn't end there. There's more you can do to capture your bucket list moments.
Here's a few ways to do it:
Shit Shelf
A Far Out favourite!
Grab a souvenir from that bucket list moment. A physical thing that will always take you back to that moment. You can buy it, find it, make it. If it fits on a shelf - it's coming home.
Check the OG, pioneering guide to Shit Shelving from the man himself here:
Why Your Travel Souvenirs Deserve A Shit Shelf
All those souvenirs you have tucked under your bed? Display them proudly! Here’s how.
Corkboard collage
It's the 21st century. Most of us are carrying cameras.
Grab a photo of your moment, print it out (Polaroid cameras are great for this!), and pin it up to keep those moments alive.
A corkboard collage is a classic way of displaying this, with your tickets, photos and everything on display to keep you inspired.
Memory Box
Grab your souvenirs, take your photos, keep your ticket stubs - all your trinkets and stories from your bucket list adventures.
Then stash 'em somewhere safe. Somewhere you can crack that box open and remember. Somewhere like our personalised Memory Boxes and Frames - over on the Store.
This is just the start...
Writing a bucket list is not the end. It's the beginning.
It's about lighting the fire under your ass that makes you want to get out there and live! It's about doing what's most meaningful to you, with purpose, whilst you have the time to do it.
So start dreaming, start writing, and start ticking!
What's on yours? What helped you find that moment of inspiration? Let us know on Instagram, in the comments, and let us share the love. The Tribe needs you!
Good luck. Smash it!
If you want to discover the next steps to getting you on the road, you may be interested in these blogs...
Chasing Paradise: Moments that Take Your Breath Away
We argue that paradise is not a place, but a moment.
What to Pack For Your Next Backpacking Adventure
The hardest part of travelling is knowing what to pack, right? Not now…
