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Bucket loads of fun

I'm taking my list of things to do by the end of the summer to a whole new level. I'm going to create a bucket list. You know, things you want to do before you die. In a way not a very cheerful thought but at the same time quite elating, I find. I have a list of goals I want to achieve somewhere and even though I'm sure it's titled 'Things I want to be/do/have before I die', it just doesn't quite have the same ring to it as a bucket list does. There's an urgency attached to 'bucket list' that appeals to me right now. Something that I hope will keep it from getting buried under a pile of invoices, bank statements, to do lists etc.

I'm very aware that the reason I'm thinking about writing my bucket list is because of the mid-life crisis I'm going through and the slightly panicked thoughts I'm having at times, such as 'there's not much time left anymore while I'm still more or less able' which is sort of ridiculous but then again, you never know what's going to happen tomorrow. But I think that writing a bucket list would be good for anyone. No point in putting off the things you really want to do till some time in the often very distant future.

So, a bucket list. I've started writing mine. I don't think my list is ever going to be complete, it will evolve and I'll add things to it along the way and hopefully will be crossing items over regularly, too. 

I don't think there are any particular rules to writing a bucket list but I'm going to apply these to mine:
  • It'll have at least 10 items on it, ideally many more
  • I'll put it somewhere where I can see it
  • I'll pick some items to do within the next year, the number depending on how big they are. I'll mix some small and big ones.
  • I'll choose the first one and plan how and when I'm going to do it. I'll also loosely plan what I'm going to do about the others.
  • I'll keep updating my list and will highlight the ones I've already achieved to give me a sense achievement.
The obvious point is clearly this: writing the list alone is not going to get me anywhere, some action will be necessary. Apart from items that are about travelling, this may be a bit of a stumbling block for me. However, I'm a firm believer that if I write the list in big letters and put it somewhere where I see it often, several times per day, I'm bound to start taking action. The thing will stare me in the eye so menacingly that I couldn't possibly fail to do something.

Curious to know what's on my bucket list? I thought you might be. These are just some:
  • See the Serengeti and Mt Kilimanjaro (I've no burning desire to climb it, though)
  • Meet Simon Le Bon (I was a teenager in the '80s. Need I say more?)
  • Learn to ride a horse properly

Serengeti Sunset by Anita Ritenour on Flickr

I've only just started compiling my list and while some things come to mind immediately, some take a little bit of digging to get them out of the depths of my brain. And even though creating a list of things to do before I die sounds a bit gloomy, I'm actually finding that it's quite a lot of fun!

What's on your list?

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