The "Infamous" Bucket List—Welcomed or Dreaded?
At some point, most of us have either dreamed about or started a bucket list. I began mine roughly 15 years before retiring, jotting down aspirations and dreams I hoped to fulfill. Over the years, I managed to check off a few items, but with a full-time job and a busy life, progress was slow. Now, just a few months into retirement, that list feels different. There’s a new sense of urgency, satisfaction, and excitement as I finally have the time to tackle it.
Bucket lists are as unique as the people who create them. They often include places we’ve long wanted to visit, hobbies we’d love to explore, skills we’ve always wanted to learn, or simply spending more time with loved ones. The variety is endless, reflecting each individual’s priorities and passions. My own list keeps growing, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. Will I ever accomplish it all? Perhaps not, and that’s okay. I’ve learned to reprioritize based on what’s most important to me or what might become harder to achieve with age. Sometimes, I even take things off the list when they no longer hold the same appeal or seem impractical. Adjusting and compromising is all part of the process.
A conversation with a retired friend recently gave me a fresh perspective on the importance of not putting off our dreams. He shared two sobering stories. One friend, just weeks away from retirement, passed away unexpectedly before he could begin enjoying his bucket list. Another retired, only to find himself caring for a terminally ill spouse just months later. Neither got the chance to embrace the opportunities they had so eagerly anticipated. The takeaway? Time is a finite resource. In our younger years, time felt abundant, almost limitless. But in our 60s and 70s, its fleeting nature becomes clear. Don’t wait. If something is truly important to you, pursue it now. Tackle your bucket list as if tomorrow isn’t guaranteed—because it isn’t.
As for my own list, it reflects the things I value most. Traveling is a top priority, as is spending quality time with my wife and friends, engaging in meaningful volunteer work, and exploring new talents. Over the past two years, I’ve checked off trips to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Belize. Italy, Costa Rica, Germany during Christmas, and Paris are next on my list, along with closer destinations here in Arizona. I’ve also started going to more concerts -- an urgent bucket list item since many of my favorite artists are aging and may not be performing much longer. As a veteran, I feel a deep connection to those who have served, particularly those struggling with PTSD and emotional challenges. Volunteering to support them has become a meaningful way to give back. One dream I’ve held onto is learning to play the saxophone. Whether I have the patience remains to be seen, but it’s firmly on my list. And then there’s that book I started writing a decade ago. Now that I have more time, I could finally finish it—or could I?
I genuinely welcome the chance to pursue these goals, but I’d be lying if I said there isn’t a touch of dread as well. The reality that I might not get to everything lingers, but that’s part of the beauty of the bucket list. It’s less about completion and more about the journey: About embracing the time we have and making it count.
