Part of enjoying life is living for the moment, so don’t wait until you’re on your deathbed before you make a list of what you should’ve done. Life is happening now, so start ticking things off that bucket list.
We appreciate that everyone is different – one man’s junk is another man’s treasure and all that. That is why preparing a bucket list is a very personal thing, and everyone’s is unique. While skydiving might be at the top of one person’s list, those of us who are slightly less thrill seeking will find the thought of jumping out of a plane to be a version of torture. However, there are some activities that come up again and again on bucket lists around the world, so if you need some inspiration for your list, keep reading.
Kiss in the rain
Clichéd as this scene may be in the films, getting kissed passionately in the rain is the most popular bucket list item. It ranks higher than visiting the pyramids of Giza or the Sistine Chapel. Luckily we live in a pretty wet climate, so achieving this one should be quite easy.
Get inspired by: Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in The Notebook.
Take me to the drive-in
What used to be the standard way of going to the movies has become a romantic novelty. Going to the drive-in has a certain vintage charm to it, which is probably why it’s the second most popular bucket list item. But be sure to do it right – take a blanket and snuggle with your sweetheart.
Get inspired by: The Route 66 Drive-In Cinema in Manchester.
In two places at once
Having one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one foot in the Southern also rates pretty highly on the average bucket list. And as luck would have it, the countries along the Equator are beautiful too, so you can have a great holiday while ticking that off your list.
Get inspired by: Uganda Equator, gorgeousness where the hemispheres meet.
Blood in, blood out
Ticking items off your bucket list doesn’t always have to be a selfish act. Sometimes all you need to do to feel better is to do something nice for someone else. A great way to do this is by giving blood, especially if you have a rare blood type.
Get inspired by: Give Blood, which has blood centres all around England and North Wales.
Face the music
You may not be surprised that learning to play a musical instrument is a pretty popular choice. And even less surprising is that the most popular instrument people want to learn how to play is the guitar. This instrument is so versatile, it’s totally worth the finger callouses.
Get inspired by: the fact that there are loads of free videos and tutorials online.
It’s in ink
We’re not talking about getting your arms covered in tattoo sleeves, but getting a small, meaningful tattoo is something that many people are planning on doing before they die. It could be a quote that helped you through a difficult time, or a replica of your child’s first drawing.
Get inspired by: the world around you. And if it’s a quote, triple check you have the right spelling.
What a lifesaver
In the same vein as giving blood, many people have rated learning CPR on their lists. This is a skill that really could save someone’s life and turn you into a hero. They could name their kids after you, which would feel pretty good. Maybe not an entirely selfless act then…
Get inspired by: St. John’s Ambulance, which offers courses in CPR and first aid.
Sowing the seeds
As deforestation increases across the world, many of us enlightened ones have a need to do something about this. Trees are being cut down at a phenomenal rate, but if we all plant a tree, we can severely slow down deforestation, and maybe reverse it.
Get inspired by: The UN Billion Tree Campaign, which was inspired by Wangari Maathai.