There are few things worse than coming face to face with your dream journal and realizing that you let so much time slip by without going for it. So I have made a goal to use this blog as a means of tackling and documenting my bucket list, once and for all, without fear of judgment or failure.
Life is WAY more exciting the moment you stop allowing perfectionism and insecurities get in the way of living the life you want to live.
This blog is a promise to myself to let go of fear and just say ‘Yes, and’ to the adventure!
And maybe… just maybe… I’ll inspire you to set off on your own adventures too.
Read the full story here – or continue below to explore the bucket list below!
United States Bucket List
Current Count: 7/59
- USA | Throw a dart at a map and go
- USA | Visit all 50 states
- USA | Hike the Pacific Crest Trail
- USA | Hike the Pacific Northwest Trail
- USA | Drive Route 66
- USA | Go to all the US National Parks
- USA | Raft down the Mississippi River
- ✅ USA | Ride the California Zephyr train from California to New York City
- Alaska | Trek the Mendenhall Glacier Caves
- Alaska | Visit Barrow (Northern-most point)
- Alaska | Climb Mt. McKinley (Denali)
- Arizona | Hike and kayak the Grand Canyon
- Arizona | Road-trip through the canyons
- Arizona | Visit Havasu Falls
- ✅ California | Bike the Golden Gate Bridge
- California | Climb Half Dome
- California | Stay in the Awani hotel in Yosemite
- California | Hike the Lost Coast
- California | Drive Highway 1
- California | Take a tour of Napa Valley
- ✅ California | Ride a cable car in San Francisco
- California | Climb Mount Whitney
- California | Attend Comic Con (in costume)
- Colorado | Explore the Ice Castles
- Colorado | Stay in the Stanley Hotel
- Colorado | Climb Pikes Peak
- Florida | Kayak the Keyes
- Florida | See a space shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral
- ✅ Florida | Visit St. Augustine (the oldest city)
- Hawaii | Moanalua Trail
- Hawaii | Travel on the Hana Highway
- Illinois | Be a tourist for a day in my home city (Chicago)
- Indiana | Attend the Indy 500
- Iowa | Ride Ragbrai
- Iowa | Spend some time in the Amana Colonies
- Kentucky | Attend the Kentucky Derby
- Louisiana | Attend Mardis Gras
- Minnesota | Canoe the Boundary Waters
- Missouri | Mountain bike the Ozarks
- Missouri | Visit the Devil’s Well
- ✅ Nevada | Play craps in Vegas and win
- Nevada | Attend Burning Man
- ✅ New York | See a Broadway performance
- ✅ New York | Spend one year living in the city that never sleeps
- New York | Be in the SNL audience
- New York | See Sleep No More
- New York | Climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty
- New York | Attend Fashion Week
- New York | See Niagara Falls
- Tennessee | Attend Bonaroo
- Tennessee | Trek in the Smokey Mountains
- Tennessee | Visit the Grand Ole Opry
- Texas | Attend Sandfest
- Utah | Attend Sundance Film Festival
- Vermont | Hike the backwoods in October
- Washington | Visit Pike’s Market
- Washington | Drive Mt. Baker Highway
- Washington DC | Bike Ride Around the Monuments
- Washington DC | Visit the White House
- Wyoming | Attend the world’s largest rodeo
International Bucket List
Current Count: 15/119
- World | Spin the globe and go
- World | Visit the 7 wonders of the modern world
- Brazil | Christ the Redeemer
- China | The Great Wall of China
- India | Taj Mahal
- ✅ Italy | The Colosseum
- Jordan | Petra
- Mexico | Chichén Itzá
- Peru | Machu Piccu
- BONUS: Egypt | Pyramids of Giza
- World | Visit 50 countries
- World | Visit 100 countries
- World | Visit every country
- World | Step foot on all seven continents
- World | Touch both poles
- World | Ride the Trans-Siberia Railway from Russia to Mongolia
- World | Backpack across Europe
- World | Backpack across Southeast Asia
- World | Visit every country my ancestors are from
- Antarctica | Climb Mt. Vision
- Argentina | Walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier
- Argentina | Trek through Patagonia
- Australia | Camp in the Outback
- Australia | Swim in the Great Barrier Reef
- Belize | Swim in the Great Blue Hole
- Belize | Explore the Crystal Cave
- Bhutan | Trek to the Tiger’s Nest
- Bolivia | Drive across Salar de Uyuni
- Brazil | Celebrate Carnival in Rio
- Chile | Hike Patagonia
- Chile | Visit Easter Island
- ✅ Croatia | Take a Game of Thrones tour in Old Town Dubrovnik
- Croatia | Visit the Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Denmark | Visit the Faroe Islands
- Denmark | Spend a night in Greenland
- Ecuador | Swing at the end of the world
- Ecuador | Visit the Galapagos Islands
- Egypt | Visit the Valley of the Kings
- Egypt | Enter the Great Pyramids of Giza
- France | Attend Cannes film festival
- France | Rent an apartment on the Seine for a month
- France | Visit Versailles
- Germany | Attend Oktober Fest
- Germany | Visit the Christmas Markets
- Germany | Tour the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle
- Greece | Sail around the islands
- Greece | Visit the Acropolis
- ✅ Iceland | Camp across the country
- Iceland | Snorkle Silfra
- Iceland | Explore the Ice Caves
- India | Camp in the Arid Desert in Rajasthan
- India | Celebrate Holi
- Indonesia | Summit Mt. Rinjani
- ✅ Ireland | Kiss the Blarney Stone
- Israel | Swim in the dead sea
- Israel | Visit the Wailing Wall
- Italy | Vespa from Tuscany to Rome
- ✅ Italy | Hike Cinque Terre
- ✅ Italy | Ride a gondola in Venice
- Italy | Celebrate Carnivale in Venice
- ✅ Italy | Spend a month living in Rome
- ✅ Italy | Visit Pompeii
- Italy | Hike the Dolomites
- ✅ Italy | Visit the Blue Grotto in Capri
- Japan | Climb Mount Fuji
- Japan | Learn the Japanese tea ceremony
- Japan | Visit a Ryokan
- Japan | See a sumo competition
- Jordan | Explore Wadi Rum
- Jordan | Visit a Bedouin camp
- Kenya | Stay in Giraffe Manor
- Kyrgyzstan | Attend the World Nomad Games
- Mexico | Snorkel the Underwater Museum in Cancun
- ✅ Mexico | Swim in a cenote
- Mexico | Drink tequila in Tequila
- Mexico | See the firefly migration
- ✅ Mexico | Visit the Tulum Ruins
- Mexico | Explore Guadalajara
- Mexico | Visit the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco
- Mongolia | Try falconry
- Morocco | Learn to make Moroccan mint tea
- ✅ Nepal | Trek to Everest Base Camp
- Nepal | Trek to Gokyo Lake
- Nepal | Trek the Annapurna Circuit
- Nepal | Climb Island Peak
- Netherlands | Bike through the tulip gardens
- Netherlands | Visit the Anne Frank House
- ✅ Netherlands | Explore Amsterdam
- New Zealand | Explore the glow worm caves
- New Zealand | Go blackwater rafting
- New Zealand | Camper van across the country
- New Zealand | Trek Te Araroa
- Norway | Visit Svalbard
- Norway | Hike up to Trolltunga
- Pakistan | Trek to K2 Base Camp
- Peru | Hike the Inca Trail
- Peru | Visit Machu Picchu
- Poland | Visit the museum at Auschwitz
- Portugal | Drink port in Porto
- Portugal | See the Chapel of Bones in Evora
- Russia | See the ballet at the Bolshoi Theater
- Russia | Visit the St. Petersburg Basilica
- Russia | Climb Mt. Elbrus
- Saudi Arabia | Visit Eve’s Tomb
- Saudi Arabia | Journey to Mecca
- Saudi Arabia | See a show at the Maraya Concert Hall
- Slovenia | Hike through the Seven Lakes Valley
- Slovenia | Visit Ljubljana Castle
- Sweden | Stay in the world’s largest ice hotel
- Switzerland | Hike the Matterhorn
- Switzerland | Run the Jungfrau Marathon
- ✅ Tanzania | Climb Kilimanjaro
- ✅ Tanzania | Safari in the Serengeti
- ✅ Tanzania | Visit the Ngorongoro Crater
- ✅ Tanzania | Visit the island of Zanzibar
- Tanzania | Climb Mount Meru
- Thailand | Attend the floating lantern festival (Yi Peng Festival)
- Turkey | Fly in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia
- Ukraine | Tour Chernobyl
- United Kingdom | Compete in the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling Festival
- United Kingdom | Visit the Druid stones
- United Kingdom | See a show at London’s West End
- United Kingdom | Visit Buckingham Palace
- United Kingdom | Drive through the Scottish Highlands
- United Kingdom | Ride the train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct
- ✅ Vatican City | Hear the Pope speak at the Vatican
- ✅ Vatican City | Climb to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica
- ✅ Vatican City | See the Sistine Chapel
- Venezuela | Climb Mount Roraima
- Vietnam | Boat along through Ha Long Bay
- Zimbabwe | Sit in the Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls
Adventure Bucket List
Current Count: 7/68
- Swim with sharks
- Swim with dolphins
- Whale watch
- ✅ Hang glide
- Bungee jump
- Skydive
- Cliff jump
- Parasail
- Ride in a helicopter
- Fly a glider plane
- Take a hot air balloon ride
- Travel by bamboo raft
- Do a sweat lodge
- Visit a ghost town
- See the northern lights
- ✅ Go on safari
- Go on a gorilla walk
- Visit a hot spring
- Ride a camel
- Ride in a sleigh
- Dog sled
- Rock climb outdoors
- Climb Via Ferreta (the Iron Way)
- Zip line
- ✅ White water raft
- Lazy tube down a river
- Do a polar plunge
- Explore a cave
- Explore an underwater cave
- Go on a volcano tour
- Abseil down a waterfall
- Go sand-boarding
- Dune buggy
- Go snowmobiling
- Make fire with flint
- Spend a week wild camping
- Go on a canoeing trip
- Chase a storm
- Shear a sheep
- Sleep in a yurt
- Stay in a sky hotel
- Stay in an ice hotel
- Sleep in a treehouse
- Stay in a haunted accommodation
- Sleep in a castle
- Stand up paddle board
- Explore a rainforest
- Drum down the sunset
- Search for Forest Fen’s treasure
- Attend an outdoor rodeo
- Work on a ranch
- Work on a fruit farm
- Fly in a private jet
- ✅ Apply for survivor
- Apply for the amazing race
- Attend a film premier
- Attend an award show
- ✅ See Paul McCartney in concert
- ✅ See The Rolling Stones in concert
- ✅ Go to a pride parade
- ✅ Go to a drag show
- Be in a flash mob
- Ride a mechanical bull
- Go to an ice bar
- Get a tattoo
- Navigate a personal underwater sub
- Time travel to experience NYE twice
Athletic Challenge Bucket List
Current Count: 2/40
- Do a color run
- Run a 10k
- Run a half marathon
- Run a marathon
- Run an ultramarathon
- Run a sub-6 minute mile
- Run a triathlon
- Run an iron man
- Run a tough mudder
- Complete a heptathlon
- Run the San Francisco Half Marathon
- Run the Chicago Marathon
- Run the New York Marathon
- Get a 6 pack – for even a short amount of time
- Learn to play cricket
- Learn to surf
- Learn to sail
- Try Krav Maga
- Try boxing
- Become scuba certified
- Try ballet
- Try Irish step dancing
- Try Hip-Hop dancing
- Try pole dancing
- Try Magic Mike dancing
- Try an olympian training routine
- Learn self defense
- Learn Poi
- Try archery
- Learn to ride horseback on trail
- Try horseback archery
- Try roller derby
- Go ice fishing
- Throw out the first pitch at a baseball game
- Walk a runway
- ✅ Win a National Championship
- Compete in the handball national championships
- Compete in a tennis tournament
- ✅ Compete in a national volleyball tournament
Self-Care Bucket List
Current Count: 0/31
- 30 days of yoga
- 30 days of meditation
- Go on a silent meditation retreat
- Go on a yoga retreat
- Master a handstand
- Wake up at 5AM every day for 30 days
- Complete a random act of kindness for 30 days
- Complete the 30 day minimalism challenge
- 30 days of journaling
- 30 days zero waste
- 30 days of no spending
- 30 days of volunteering (1 new place per day)
- 7 days of waking up to see the sunrise
- Go to a Korean Spa
- Go to a Russian Spa
- Try cupping therapy
- Try a sensory deprivation tank
- Try cryotherapy
- Try acupuncture
- Try reiki
- Play the 36 questions game
- Try 30 days of Hygge
- Take a mud bath
- Water fast for three days
- Celebrate the changing of the seasons
- Spend an entire week without the internet
- Cut sugar for 30 days
- Switch to all-natural products
- Journal every day for one year
- Try a boudoir photo shoot
- Get professional headshots
Creative Bucket List
Current Count: 4/66
- Produce a single
- Create an EDM EP album
- Create a blues/soul EP album
- Sing a jazz/soul /blues set in a bar
- Sing opera
- Sing in a cabaret
- Sing in a rock band
- Sing a one-person Les Miserable medley
- Sing a one-person Phantom of the Opera medley
- Sing a one-person Disney medley
- Design a coloring book
- ✅ Design a book cover
- Design a major arcana tarot deck
- Design a full tarot deck on Procreate
- Create an eBook
- Complete Nanowrimo
- Write a novel
- Write a short story
- Write a collection of short stories
- Write a sketch comedy show
- Write a sitcom pilot
- Write a screenplay
- Write a script
- Write a musical
- ✅ Perform in an improv show
- ✅ Perform stand-up comedy in front of a crowd
- Act in a play
- Act in a musical
- Act in a Rocky Horror shadow cast
- Be an extra in a movie
- Act in a movie
- Act in a sitcom
- Be a voice actor for a cartoon
- Narrate an audiobook
- Act in a video game
- Start a YouTube channel
- Start a podcast
- ✅ Start a blog
- Animate a short video
- Create a short film
- Produce a documentary
- Create a production studio
- Convert all my childhood videos into a film
- Build a pottery wheel
- Make mosaic art
- Learn to make candles
- Build something in a wood shop
- Create a travel/adventure journal
- Paint a mural
- Try glass blowing
- Create a clothing line
- Enter my art in an exhibit
- Create a T-Shirt quilt
- Create a story quilt or shawl
- Do a street performance
- Try drag
- Try burlesque
- Design personal stationary
- Hire a fashion stylist
- Curate a wardrobe that I love
- Hire an interior designer
- Completely paint my body with body paint
- Follow Bob Ross’ painting tutorials for one week
- Open an Etsy shop
Learning Bucket List
Current Count: 3/31
- Learn to play the guitar
- Learn to play the ukulele
- Learn to play the banjo
- Learn to play the duduk
- Learn to play the piano
- Try playing the bagpipes
- Learn Spanish
- Learn Italian
- Learn Arabic
- Learn HTML/CSS
- Learn Python
- Learn to produce music
- Learn videography (Premier Pro)
- Learn Photoshop
- Learn InDesign
- Learn Adobe XD
- Learn Illustrator
- Learn graffiti art
- Try beekeeping
- ✅ Attend a lecture
- ✅ Get a college degree
- Get a masters degree (or P.h D)
- ✅ Read 52 books in a year
- ✅ Read 100 books in a year
- ✅ Read 250 books on Goodreads
- Read 500 books on Goodreads
- Read 1,000 books on Goodreads
- Attend a book fair
- Complete a 24-hour read-a-thon
- Get search and rescue certified (wilderness training)
- Give a Ted Talk
- Teach a class at a University
- Give a keynote speech
Food & Beverage Bucket List
Current Count: 3/51
- Roast my own coffee beans
- Make my own chocolate from cocoa beans
- Cook a dish from 25 different countries
- Cook a dish from 50 different countries
- Cook a dish from 100 different countries
- Cook one dish from every country in the world
- Cook one dish from every U.S. state
- Go on a street-food tour
- Attend a food festival
- Attend high tea
- Attend a murder mystery party
- ✅ Eat in a 3-Michelin-star restaurant
- Create a recipe book
- Stomp my own wine grapes
- Milk a cow
- Make home made ricotta cheese
- Bake pie from scratch
- Make mulled wine
- ✅ Make sangria
- Eat a molecular gastronomy meal
- Dine in the dark
- Go to a fish boil
- Run a food truck for a day
- Recreate my grandmother and mother’s spaghetti sauce recipe
- ✅ Make ratatouille
- Create a “Nailed it” cake
- Recreate ‘Chopped’ with a group of friends
- Attend a luau
- Cook an entire meal over an open flame
- Make a meal in the woods
- Scour a spice market
- Host a dinner party
- Host a “Friendsgiving”
- Bake Christmas cookies
- Make homemade cream puffs
- Bake croissants
- ✅ Improvise a recipe
- Make a souffle
- Play hot ones
- Eat a ghost pepper
- 30 day vegan challenge
- 7 day raw vegan challenge
Personal Life & Finance Bucket List
Current Count: 1/26
- Host a charitable event
- Volunteer at a hospice center or nursing home
- Volunteer at a national park
- Build a house with Habitat for Humanity
- Start a non-profit
- Start a business
- Find a career I love
- ✅ Pay off all student loans
- ✅ Work for a FAANG company
- Invent something
- Own a patent
- Attend a high school reunion
- Reach financial independence
- Create a passive income
- Reach $1 Million
- Get my credit score over 800
- Fall in love
- Own a home
- Renovate a van and live in it as a tiny home
- Own and operate a bed & breakfast
- Have a personal library
- Have a room dedicated to art
- Create a beautiful outdoor garden
- Create a beautiful urban garden
- Have a collection of something I love