Recently, I've been checking off a lot of bucket-list items. Studying abroad is a great opportunity to do so, and I highly encourage everyone planning to study abroad to really think about the top things you want to get done in your time away from school. And yes, I know, bucket lists are such stigmas. To many, they seem ridiculous, like empty promises to yourself. But I have faith in the simple bucket list, and here's why:
They encourage.
Bucket lists are the number one way to guarantee you will challenge yourself. Without goals and dreams, you would just stay inside watching Netflix all day; and not that I'm hating on Netflix, but if you're going to spend all your time on it, then I hope it's because your bucket list item is to watch everything on Netflix.
They're a reflection of what's important to you.
My family is Polish, so last weekend I went to Poland. Even though we're not the most attached to our Polish heritage, it was still important to me to see where my family comes from (and eat some delicious pierogies). I value my family's background. Your bucket list should reflect accomplishments that mean something, not just things that "would be cool."
They're unique.
I'm sorry, but "getting married" is not a bucket list item. Lots of people get married and live long and happy lives. To say you want to get married--that doesn't tell me anything about who you are. The best part about having a bucket list is that each one is so unique and tells an amazing story about that person. I want to know why swimming the English Channel is on your bucket list. I'm interested in the things that you want to do that no one else does.
They keep you young.
The phrase "bucket list" comes from the term kicking the bucket. As long as you're checking off items on that list, that means you are alive and healthy. Isn't that the most important thing?
They're fun!
A task wouldn't be on your bucket list if you didn't think you'd at least remotely enjoy it. Bucket lists bring such joy to people who actually work at checking them off. Item five on my bucket list is to go to all of the Disneylands. Doesn't that sound like a great time?! Fulfilling the items on your bucket list should be the time of your life.
They hold you accountable.
The worst person to disappoint is yourself. When I go a long period of time without checking something off the list, I begin to feel bad. A bucket list is a surefire way to guarantee that you're living life to the absolute fullest and doing the best you can to make yourself happy. We could all use a little more self-proclaimed happiness.
The longer you have one, the more time you have to finish it.
I started my bucket list when I was 16. Slowly but surely, I've started checking things off the list (mostly since being abroad) but as I've done so, I've added more onto it. A bucket list is not definitive; it allows you to add onto your goals as necessary. It is a reminder that you have your entire life ahead of you, so you might as well set out to accomplish a few things during it. There are no boundaries, no tasks too large. Your bucket list is an endless supply of dreams, so give yourself all the time you can to achieve them.
