Try searching, "bucket list" on Google. You'll be bombarded with ridiculous articles with mile-long lists of 10,000 things you just have to do before you die. While I suppose everyone is entitled to their own goals an opinions, riding through Venice in a gondola and mastering a backflip just don't really seem to be in the cards for me right now. Sure, all bucket lists should include some crazy dreams, but let's take the time to examine a few items that are actually pretty doable for just about anyone.
1. Be a Best Man or Maid of Honor.
Everyone is always so focused on finding their true love, that they often forget about those they love most. Don't forget to cheer your friends on, too. There's no better feeling than being able to watch your best friend on one of the happiest days of his or her life.
2. Ride in an airplane.
Surprisingly, I meet people every single day who have never been off the ground. If you've never been on a plane, you've never seen the world from a completely different angle. Try it sometime.
3. Stomp on grapes to make wine.
Do they even do this anymore? Is this sanitary? Either way, it's something that I'd like to do at least once in my life.
4. Make a drastic change.
Whether you cut your hair, move to a new city or decided to paint your nails pink instead of black, you have to make at least one drastic change in your life. Otherwise, things start to get monotonous and the next thing you know, you wake up one day with a front lawn and a 401K.
5. Leave your mark somewhere cool.
I'm not saying you need to go pee on the Great Wall of China, but you do need to leave a little piece of yourself somewhere. Whether you put a lock on the Pont des Arts in Paris, you write your name into a bathroom stall at your university or you carve your initials into some random tree in the middle of nowhere, it'll be cool to know that 10 years from now, if you visit again, your mark will still be there.
6. Adopt a pet from a shelter.
Many people overlook this option when it comes to pets. Nothing could beat the feeling of giving an old dog the home and love that it desperately needs, and probably wouldn't have gotten if it wasn't for you.
7. Set a goal and meet it.
Your goal could be as small as going to bed before 11 p.m. for a week straight or as large as making a million dollars in your life. Either way, the feeling of accomplishment is pretty nice.
8. Face at least one of your fears, no matter how stupid.
I recently faced my fear of the ocean. Seems dumb, but it made me feel a lot bigger in the world. If you're afraid of dogs, go visit the humane society. If you're afraid of heights, climb to the top of a really tall building. If you're afraid of commitment, get in line, ugh.
9. Buy someone a drink from across the bar.
Whether you're a girl or a guy, this will still be cool. They do it all the time in movies, yet I've never actually seen anyone do it in real life.
10. Get a pen pal.
There's something so cool about writing letters, I'm sad that no one does it anymore. Even if it's via email, find someone from another country or from across the state to whom you can write. It will give you a fresh perspective.
11. Go an entire day without talking.
I'm not sure how doable this is, but even if it's just for a few hours, just take some time to listen to the world around you. Believe me, I have a hard time with this too because I can't shut up. No one listens to each other anymore, however, and the world is becoming a pretty noisy place. Not everyone needs to hear about what happened to you in math class four weeks ago.
12. Take a successful jumping picture.
Surprisingly, the jumping picture is a very hard skill to master. Every time I try, I just look like a pile of mashed potatoes being flung into the air. I'm still working on it.
13. Go somewhere where you don't speak the language.
This is the ultimate way to get out of your comfort zone. It's pretty self-explanitory.
14. Learn a weird skill.
This doesn't have to be anything too crazy. Learn to play Happy Birthday on the harmonica, learn to cook an entire three-course meal, learn to juggle, learn all the words to Bohemian Rhapsody. The possibilities are endless.
15. Have a picnic.
I'm talking about a real picnic, where you have a basket and a blanket, and you go sit under a tree somewhere. That has to be cool, right?
16. Learn to tie a tie.
Not only is this the ultimate sign of adulthood, but I'm sure it will come in handy at some point in your life. This could also count as your weird skill.
17. Write a note and leave it in a book.
Go to the library, write a note to someone and leave it in a book. Whoever finds it will be so interested and probably entertained for at least a couple days. That's nice, I suppose.
18. Tell the restaurant staff that it's your friend's birthday, even if it isn't.
The surprised look on their face will be worth it, and you probably get free ice cream. It's a win, win.
19. Participate in a protest or boycott something.
There's something so empowering about being able to act as an agent for change. Sure, you're just boycotting McDonald's, but it's still bad ass.
20. Enter a contest
Call your favorite radio station 309 times to get on the air, enter one of those drawings at the mall for a free car, submit a writing sample, or a piece of artwork. No matter what you do, it's still exciting. Don't be afraid to recognize yourself for the things that you do well.
21. Buy something from an infomercial.
Maybe it's just me, but I'm a real sucker for infomercials. Of course I need a set of tupperware containers with the lids already attached. Duh, I could definitely use a home pedicure kit. Honestly, why do I even bother leaving my house?
22. Make your own bucket list.
Whether you have 22 items or 10,000, write down the things that you've always wanted to do. Set goals for yourself, treat yourself every now and then and above all else, live a little.
