When people think of a bucket list, often what comes to mind is extravagant and expensive. However, this list mentions experiences that don't necessarily cost an arm and a leg but still produce that wow-factor feeling.
1. Fall in love.
This may seem cliché, but hear me out. Falling in love doesn't always refer to developing feelings for a person. There can be a special place underneath the stars that takes your breath away, or you may find your passion and be in love with your job. It can be a person, pet, place, experience, food, time of the day, object, memory, or anything that ignites those feelings in your heart.
2. Go on your dream vacation.
People often replace vacations with "travel". Excuses range from financial situations to business trips, to life simply getting in the way. What many people fail to realize is that a vacation doesn't have to be some extravagant experience that you brag about to all of your Facebook friends. A vacation is a time for you to just enjoy yourself, disconnect from the stresses in your life, and to participate in something that makes you truly happy.
3. Give a shelter pet a home.
It can be opening up your home to a cat or a dog, or simply helping to find one a home through another person. The gratitude that shelter pets show is unbelievable, and definitely bucket list worthy.
4. Be content.
This one is harder than it seems. A large population considers settling for something less than what they truly want being content. Contrary to that belief, being content is getting to a point where you don't need anything else to contribute to your happiness.
5. Watch a meteor shower.
Simply put, this is an inexpensive and outright breath-taking view to experience. It occurs multiple times within a lifespan, so there are numerous opportunities to witness the beauty of a meteor shower.
6. Dress in character for a book/movie release.
This idea is the perfect opportunity to go all out and tap into your inner nerd. Dressing up as your favorite character adds to the excitement of the release, and adds to a feeling of fellowship with other people who enjoy the same book or movie.
7. Zip line with friends or family.
From what I've heard, zip lining can be a little on the expensive side, depending on where you decide to go. You can find a place if you are traveling in another country, or keep it domestic and find a place in a touristy city in the United States. There are places where you can zoom through a mountainous area or fly across forest canopies, whatever your preference may be!
8. Visit a different continent or country.
If you have a bit of wanderlust then this bucket list idea is great for you. There is the option of traveling anywhere in the world, or maybe just crossing the borders for a visit into Canada or Mexico. The world is literally yours!
9. Ride in a hot air balloon.
This is just a really neat experience. Getting to witness the bright and wonderful colors of the balloons is a sight on its own. Traveling across the sky at a leisurely pace in a giant basket seems like it would be both stimulating and peaceful!
10. Pay a stranger’s restaurant bill.
Paying it forward can be done almost anywhere and nearly any time. Doing a thoughtful act like that is both rewarding and relatively easy! Who knows, you might inspire some one else to do the same.
11. Feed a giraffe.
I know that a lot of zoos offer the option to feed giraffes for a small fee. It may seem like a kid-based thing to do, but as an adult, it is also pretty great seeing as they are incredibly adorable!
12. Be in two states at once.
Finding a spot where two states (or more) is only a quick Google search away. Sometimes the borders between states are marked with a little sign, and some towns on the borders even have towns where the road runs right along two states! Other times, state lines are smack dab in the middle of the road. Often times the cost is just a tank of gas away.
13. Go to a major sporting event.
Football, baseball, tennis, golf, volleyball, basketball, or any other sport can fall into this event. It can be a rival football game, watching your favorite team in the World Series, attending a famous golf tournament, or whatever your preference is! The catch is that you just have to be there in person and not just watch it over the TV! It will be an experience that can always be cherished as a fan.
14. Attend a concert or music festival to see your favorite band.
This option can possibly get expensive, but there is always the choice of planning ahead and saving up. It will totally be worth it! It is a shot in the dark when it comes to how far ahead a band or artist will put out their concert schedule, though.
15. Forgive and let go of grudges.
This is another one on the list that doesn't cost money but tends to be hard for some people. More often than I would like to admit, people hurt other people, and this is one of those bucket list things that will make you feel like a different person. If someone has done you wrong, it is hard to forgive sometimes, but for your own well-being, it is definitely one thing to aspire towards checking off of your list.
16. Create a care package for the homeless.
You can travel to any major city and see instances of homelessness. Taking time out of your day to put together a large care package for an individual in need, or even making to-go baggies of essentials to pass out can mean the world to someone. You can prove through a small act like this one to that person that they have someone who is in their corner and someone who wants to help them. Not only will it bring a sense of purpose and be a rewarding check off your list, but you will definitely make someone's day!
17. Volunteer.
The most common volunteer options seem to be at soup kitchens, animal shelters, church events, nursing homes, and even offering a helping hand at a community event. It doesn't typically cost anything except your time.
18. Bungee jump or skydive.
This one is for any person searching for an adrenaline rush or someone searching to conquer a fear. Prices range on the high side and you will need to learn some serious safety guidelines, but every person I've talked to says that it is totally worth the money and even the initial fear.
19. Conquer a fear.
Something as simple as touching a tarantula at the zoo can knock this one off the list. Everyone has, at least, one fear, and conquering one in your lifetime can leave you with a sense of real fulfillment.
20. Learn a random talent.
Anything from juggling to playing an instrument, to speaking another language to being able to burp your ABC's constitutes a win on this number. Literally anything that you don't know how to do but want to learn is an option!
Having, at least, one of these of your personal bucket list (and checking it off) is guaranteed to make you feel like a million bucks!
