Eat croissants in Paris, snack on bugs, learn to cook Greek food, see the Northern Lights, ride a mechanical bull or bungee jump? Most of us have goals and aspirations, things we have always dreamed of doing or hope we could experience in our lifetimes.
Therefore, many of us already have a mental bucket list, just without the formal label. But, what is the true bucket list meaning? How do we define it? Let’s get to the bottom of it.
Bucket List Meaning: What’s the Definition and What is it?
Bucket List Meaning
What is a bucket list? Simply put, it is a collection of goals, dreams and aspirations that you would like to accomplish within your lifetime. The basic meaning of a bucket list is to keep track of your goals and to take steps to achieving these goals in order to maximize the incredible experiences in your life.
Definition from Dictionary.com:
BUCK·ET LIST NOUN, INFORMAL.
1. A LIST OF THINGS A PERSON WANTS TO ACHIEVE OR EXPERIENCE, AS BEFORE REACHING A CERTAIN AGE OR DYING: A BUCKET LIST FOR A TERMINALLY ILL PATIENT.
Bucket List Origin
There is some controversy over where the term bucket list actually originated. It definitely gained popularity after The Bucket List movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman was released in 2007. But, there is evidence that the term was used before that time (and I definitely had my bucket list years before the film’s release date).
The most common explanation for the origin is from the phrase “kick the bucket” which is believed to originate sometime in the Middle Ages when execution by hanging was common and the executioner would “kick the bucket”. You get the idea.
What Goes on a Bucket List?
There is no right or wrong way of designing a bucket list, no one specific prescription. It is a personal journey between you and your aspirations. Each one should be different because it is meant to reflect what you most desire in your own life. For example, mine includes learning to surf, skydiving, and rappelling down a waterfall to appease my adventurous side. If you are not a thrill seeker, your list may be entirely different.
The important part is to come up with items that are meaningful to you; ones that will inspire you to wake up each morning with a fire in your belly. Retiling the bathroom floor has no place on this list, nor does cleaning the cobwebs out of the garage. Save those for your weekly honey-dos. With that said, don’t worry if you didn’t make each aspiration earth shattering, or even travel related; sometimes the simplest goals are the most rewarding.
Giving a blood donation took less than an hour commitment, yet is still one of my most gratifying experiences. Also, don’t exclude anything just because you think it is too difficult or frightening; it is meant to stretch your comfort zone. Do the same for the things you think are too simple. As long as it has meaning to you it should be on your list, because even the smallest achievement can give us the feeling of a great accomplishment.
Don’t Like the Term Bucket List?
Due to the bucket list meaning and definition, some people have some strong emotions about the term, mostly because it is a reminder of their own mortality. But, a bucket list is really about living life to the fullest with all the hours you have left on Earth. With that said, you don’t have to feel obligated to name your list a “bucket list” you can call it anything that makes you feel the warm fuzzies inside. Here are just a few ideas:
- Life List
- Dream List
- Life’s Aspiration List
- My Lifetime Goals
- Things to Achieve in My Lifetime
- My Life’s To Do
- Meaningful Life Goals
- Things to Conquer
- Amazing Experiences To Be Had
- The Life Plan
- My Life’s Must Dos
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I definitely love your post! That’s interesting, I’ll put it on my bucket list to create some organized bucket lists! No kidding here, this is interesting to have a real explanation about that term that everybody uses nowadays. It’s something that everyone should have, a bucket list is a thing that keeps us dreaming therefore living!
Bucket list dont work i faild to achieve my bucket list every day. My buket list is the biggest bucket that ever been made but only thing that is worth achieving is waiting for tommrow.
I’m sorry that your bucket list did not work for you, but I do believe that they work (I am living proof). If you are not able to achieve anything on your list than maybe try breaking each item into smaller goals.
As always reading your post with pleasure!
That is wonderful to hear :)
The fact that this blog exists in the FIRST PLACE is incredible! As someone who has health challenges, Annette, your story hits home for me. So thank you so much for all you do!
I was thinking about fhe term ‘bucket’ in the phrase ‘bucket list”. I think of if as a bucket list can be full of things that fill your own personal bucket. Kind of like a bucket of water. Each thing on your list fills your bucket a little bit (or more than a little). What will fill your bucket so that you will feel ful-filled?
Thank you for your kind words, and I love the way you think about the term bucket list!
AWESOME HOW YOU WRITE….. THOUGHTS BECOME WORDS,WORDS BECOME ACTIONS ……LOVE THIS!
I adore you.
Thank you.