Using Your Bucket List as a Guide to Living Your Best Life
Life can get very busy. We get caught up in work, errands, and all the “to-do’s” that never seem to end. Before we know it, days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and suddenly we realize we’re not quite sure when we last did something that made us really happy. But here’s the thing: there’s a simple way to change all of that and start living your best life RIGHT NOW. And no, it’s not by quitting your job and moving to Bali (unless you really want to, in which case, go for it!). Over the past few years I have found a tool that has opened up a whole new way of living — my bucket list.
In this post, I’m going to take you through the exciting process of building your own bucket list and creating experiences that make you feel alive every single day.
What’s a Bucket List, Exactly?
A bucket list is a collection of things you want to do in your lifetime. It can include big dreams—like traveling to Europe or climbing a mountain—or smaller goals, like learning to cook a new dish or taking up a hobby. The point of the list is to give you a sense of direction and purpose. It’s a tool to get you excited and motivated.
But it’s not just about checking off tasks. It’s about intentionally living a life that reflects what’s important to you. The process of creating and living out your bucket list helps you experience more joy, satisfaction, and meaning on a daily basis. You get to actively shape your own adventure, which is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.
Why You Should Start Living Your Bucket List NOW
First off, let's talk about time. As in, we don’t have unlimited amounts of it. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the routine and think that we’ll start living our best life “someday.” But here’s the thing: “someday” is actually today. You don’t need to wait for a special occasion, a big promotion, or the perfect moment to get started.
The time is now.
It’s the perfect time to think about what excites you, what makes you feel energized, and what would make you feel like you’re really living. Start with something small and let it snowball. Before you know it, you’ll have done more than you ever thought possible. That’s what happened to me!
My Journey: 50 Bucket List Items Before I Turned 50
Back in 2021, when I was 48 years old, I decided to set myself a BIG goal: knock out 50 bucket list items by the end of my 50th year. Yes, 50! It might sound crazy, but let me tell you—it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Some of the things on my list were huge (like walking 200+ miles from Florence to Rome), and others were simple (like bowling a strike)! Achieving these goals gave me a real sense of accomplishment and helped me experience life in a way that I hadn’t before.
Did I achieve all 50 by my 50th birthday? YES! And guess what? I’m not stopping at 50. Why would I? The more I checked things off, the more I realized how fun this whole process was. I was having so much fun, in fact, that I’m on a mission to keep going. I plan on continuing to fill my bucket list with new goals and experiences for years to come.
How to Start Your Bucket List
Okay, enough about me. It’s your turn. Here’s how to get started on your own bucket list journey.
1. Brainstorm Without Limits
The first step to creating a bucket list is simple: brain dump. That’s right—grab a pen, a journal, your notes app, or open a blank Google Doc, and start writing down everything that sounds fun to you. Don't judge yourself! Your list can include big dreams (like traveling to all seven continents) or smaller goals (like attending a cooking class). If it brings you joy or makes you excited, put it on there. There’s no such thing as a “bad” goal—this is your life, and you get to dream big.
It might help to break your list into categories, such as travel, hobbies, personal growth, or experiences with friends or family. But the main thing is to get everything out of your head and onto paper, without overthinking it. This list is for you—no one else—and can be constantly evolving. At this point it is just a list — don’t assign numbers to them yet.
PRO TIP: Don’t stress about whether or not you think you can actually achieve something right now. Just write it down! The beauty of the bucket list is that it can adjust over time, and what seems impossible today might be totally doable tomorrow.
2. Get Your Friends Involved
A bucket list is so much more fun when you share it with others. Invite friends to join you in some of your adventures, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or support. If you’ve always wanted to go on a hiking trip, ask a friend to join you. Or, if there’s an activity you’ve wanted to try, see if someone else wants to take the leap with you.
Life is better when shared, and having a partner or group to experience things with makes the memories even more special. Plus, you’ll inspire each other to keep going. Sometimes, all it takes is a little encouragement to get you out of your comfort zone.
I’ve had some of the BEST memories with friends while crossing off bucket list items. Whether it was learning to sail or, yes, playing the tambourine at a Marfa Lights show, these experiences are made even more special when you get to enjoy them with friends.
And let me tell you a little secret: Most people will make a way for you to do what you want, if you JUST ASK. In my case, I literally asked if I could play the tambourine on one song at the Marfa Lights show, and they said YES! It was one of those unexpected moments that turned into an unforgettable memory. So, don’t be shy—ask, and let the fun unfold!
3. Start Small and Work Your Way Up
Once you have a list, it’s time to start checking things off. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to do everything at once. Start with the easier tasks. For example, if one of your goals is to eat something you’ve never tried before, maybe it’s as simple as booking a table at a new adventurous restaurant and ordering something you would normally shy away from. Or if you want to learn to knit (like I did), you can start by signing up for a class at your local yarn shop (mine was at Ju Ju Knits)!
Every time you accomplish something you number it — meaning the first thing you check off your bucket list is “Bucket list Item #1”, the second thing you accomplish is #2 and so on. The goal is to start creating momentum, which is way easier to do when you get quick wins. Trust me, once you check off a couple of small items, you’ll feel unstoppable. By starting small, you build confidence, and soon you’ll be ready for bigger challenges.
4. Document the Journey
Don’t forget to document your progress! One of the most surprising things that I’ve learned in this is that the process isn’t just for you—it’s a chance to inspire others. Whether you’re keeping a journal (here’s a fun one), or posting about your adventures on social media (checkout myIG @its.spelled.yvette and #ylw50by50 to follow along to see my bucket list continue to unfold!), documenting the journey makes the whole thing even more fun. You’ll be amazed at how excited people get for you. Plus, they might even want to join in on the adventure or be inspired to start their own bucket lists too!
Also if visiting ALL the National Parks or ALL the countries of the world is on your bucket list, you can check out these printed checklists as fun, creative ways to keep track of your progress!
5. Keep Going
One of the most important things to remember is that your bucket list isn’t static—it’s a living, evolving part of your life. As you check off items, new ones will pop up, and that’s a beautiful thing. Don’t be afraid to add new goals, adjust your list, or take on new challenges as your life changes.
The point isn’t to rush through the list—it’s to live fully. So, take your time, enjoy the process, and keep adding things that inspire you. There’s always something new to discover, and the best part is, you’re in control of what’s next.
Conclusion: Your Best Life Awaits
Here’s the truth: you deserve to live your best life. You deserve to go on those wild adventures, try new things, and experience the world in ways that make you feel ALIVE. Your bucket list is your roadmap to a life full of joy, excitement, and connection. So, what are you waiting for? Start your list, grab your friends, and go make some memories that will last a lifetime.
Remember: The time is right now. So, let’s get to it!
Interested in what was on my #ylw50by50 list?
Here it is in the order that I accomplished them. I started in 2021 and have no plans on stopping anytime soon. Stay tuned to see what gets added to the list in the years to come!
- Champagne in a cabana
- Try 50 new recipes
- Road trip with college friends (to Round Top, TX)
- Ride an abandoned carousel
- Learn to knit
- Learn to skipper a sailboat
- Complete a virtual conqueror challenge
- Visit Antelope Canyon
- Visit a National Park with friends — Zion
- Visit a National Park with family — Haleakala
- Record a Carpenters music video with Shane
- Shut down the dance club
- Bull riding & boot scooting at Billy Bobs
- Drive in a convertible down the PCH, listening to my Summer Vibes playlist
- Sunset dinner on the beach
- Picnic in the park
- Take a picture with a celebrity — Jerry O'Connell
- Be more excited about a gift that I’m giving, than one I’m receiving — Papa’s pillows
- Read 50 books in a year
- Celebrating the successes of 2021 and the hope of 2022
- Visit a National Park — Seguaro
- Ride a party bus to go 80s dancing
- S.W.O.T Retreat — Costa Rica
- Skating like its 1985
- Bowl a strike!
- Sit on a horse in front of my house
- Ride EVERY mode of transportation available on a single vacation — Plane, train, automobile, trolley, metro, bus, boat.
- Play my tambourine on stage — Costa Rica
- Wear a necklace that has silver peacocks, guns, crosses, bulls, horses, foxes, coins, quetzales, doves, and winged tigers!
- Shoot guns with Pop!
- Lobster rolls in Cape Cod
- Hang out in the Admirals Club
- Karaoke in public
- Harvest honey
- Get a pedicure and don’t choose red!
- Recreating a 32-year-old photo with Ken Soons
- SNL-inspired #ylw50by50 photo shoot
- Dress up formally and eat tacos
- Reboot the Mad Hatter party
- Visit San Miguel de Allende
- Start a celebrity chef cooking club (CCCC)
- Ice skate in Rockefeller Center
- Visit Japan
- Eat something I’ve never tried before — Pheasant sashimi
- Enjoy a nice dinner BY MYSELF without pulling out my phone
- Be brave and attempt something that scares me — Be a guest on a podcast
- Share an experience on someone ELSE’s bucket list — Perform on Bass Hall’s stage (Yoga With a View)
- Attend a cooking class — Santa Fe School of Cooking
- Celebrate Mary’s 49th with a surprise visit to Thurber — and buying a lottery ticket to try to win 1.2 BILLION
- Carpool Karaoke with Carrie — singing (Me Too, by Megan Trainer)
- Acting in Coke commercial
- Visit Santorini
- Listen to yacht rock on a yacht
- Walk the Via Di Francesco
- Play my tambourine with a band on stage (Marfa Lights)
- Have an alpaca named after me
What’s next???
https://moddayart.com/pages/about-our-woman-owned-business
Say hello to Yvette, the heart and soul of Mod Day Art, a woman-owned gem in Fort Worth, Texas. As the business mastermind, she brings her keen eye for detail and passion for meaningful design to every aspect of their brand. Yvette’s love for faith, travel, and savoring life’s little luxuries (like a well-made cocktail) shines through in the work she and Michael create. Together, they’ve built a legacy of creativity and connection, combining their expertise in business, graphic design, and illustration to serve hundreds of happy clients through their ventures.