How My Bucket List Has Evolved Over Time: A Journey of Growth, Reflection, and Transformation

When I first started my bucket list, I was fresh off an emotional high from binge-watching The Buried Life, a show on MTV that left a lasting impact on me. The concept was simple yet powerful: four friends set out on a journey across North America, attempting to complete a list of 100 things they wanted to do before they died, while also helping strangers achieve their own life goals. The show wasn’t just entertaining; it was a wake-up call, a reminder that life is short and unpredictable. Having experienced the harsh reality of loss from the tender age of 14, death had become an all too familiar companion in my life. It shaped my perspective, making me acutely aware of life’s fragility. This awareness, combined with the inspiration from The Buried Life, fuelled my desire to create my own bucket list—a way to live fully, intentionally, and with purpose.

My initial bucket list was humble—a collection of 20-something items hastily scribbled on a giant A2 sheet of paper with a thick black marker. This list was more than just a series of goals; it was a manifesto, a declaration to myself that I would not let life pass me by without seizing the moments that mattered. The list hung prominently on my wall, a daily reminder of the things I wanted to accomplish, the experiences I wanted to have, and the person I wanted to become.

As I navigated through the early stages of adulthood, my bucket list began to evolve alongside me. After enrolling in an Interactive Media Course at college in the UK, I discovered a passion that would change the course of my life—videography. The process of creating videos, of capturing moments and telling stories, spoke to me in a way that nothing else had. It wasn’t just about shooting footage; it was about bringing ideas to life, sharing perspectives, and connecting with others through the power of visual storytelling.

This newfound passion for videography led me to expand my bucket list project. I decided that simply having a list wasn’t enough—I wanted to document my journey, to share it with the world, and to inspire others to pursue their own dreams. So, I took my 20-something goals and turned them into a full-fledged project. I built a website dedicated to my bucket list, uploading each goal with the intention of tracking my progress. I then launched a YouTube channel where I began to create and share videos about my journey, bringing my goals to life on screen. It's fascinating how certain choices in one's life help re-route our direction towards a place we never even imagined for ourselves, and yet it's incredibly transformative, eye opening, and excites us for whatever is to come.

(from about 2012-2013)

What started as a modest list of aspirations quickly grew into something much larger. As I continued to explore new interests, meet new people, and travel to new places, my list expanded, eventually reaching an ambitious total of 1,000 goals. This number became a milestone, a reflection of the boundless possibilities that life has to offer. My bucket list was no longer just a list; it was a living, breathing entity that grew with me, adapting to my evolving interests and values.

(from around 2014)

However, as I added more goals, I also realized that growth wasn’t just about expansion—it was about reflection and refinement. A significant turning point came in 2017 when I made the decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle. This choice was deeply personal, rooted in my evolving ethical beliefs and a desire to live in a way that was more aligned with my values. But as I embraced veganism, I realized that many of the goals on my bucket list were no longer compatible with this new lifestyle. Activities that involved animals, goals that didn’t align with my new ethical stance—they all needed to be reconsidered.

This period of reflection was challenging but necessary. I went through my list, item by item, and asked myself if each goal still resonated with the person I had become. If it didn’t, I let it go, replacing it with new aspirations that better reflected my values and the direction my life was taking. It was a cathartic process, one that underscored the importance of staying true to oneself and being willing to change course when necessary.

(My site as of 2023)

Now, at 30 years old, my bucket list is both a testament to my past and a roadmap for my future. It is still capped at 1,000 goals, but within that framework, it continues to evolve as I do. Every few months, I sit down with my list and reflect on it. I ask myself whether the goals still align with the person I am today, whether they still excite me, challenge me, or inspire me. If they don’t, I re-evaluate them, thinking deeply about what I truly want to achieve at this stage in my life.

This ongoing process of reassessment has taught me that a bucket list is more than just a compilation of things to do; it’s a reflection of our journey through life. As we grow, change, and learn, so too should our goals. It’s a reminder that life is not a static experience but a dynamic one, full of twists and turns, new experiences, and evolving dreams.

(My channel now)

As I look back on the journey of my bucket list—from the initial 20-something goals scribbled on paper to the expansive project it has become—I see more than just a list of accomplishments. I see a narrative of personal growth, of evolving values, and of the constant pursuit of a life well-lived. My bucket list is not just about ticking off achievements; it’s about staying true to myself, embracing change, and continually striving to live with intention.

It is unfortunate that I don't have any pictures of that first list that I had created (at least not one that I can find), it would have been fascinating for me to see and ponder about the extent of change made since then until now. It's been over 10 years since this journey of mine began, and I, and those around me, can really tell the difference it has made in me. The way my list helped bring me out of my little shell, and into a world of dreams. Creating this character I call The List Girl in order to find strength I need to get outside of my usual comfort zone and chase after the things I truly desire. When I feel fear my mum often reminds me now "remember, you're The List Girl, you can do it." And that brings me a lot of joy and motivation to keep going.

(My bucket list now)

And so, as I continue to move forward, I know that my bucket list will keep changing as I do. It will grow, adapt, and transform, just as I will. And that’s the beauty of it—a reminder that life is a journey, and not a static situation. It can change through the randomness of life, or be changed by you at any moment. Our dreams and goals should grow with us every step of the way as we traverse through life and embrace whatever it has to offer us, as well as creating the changes that we ourselves need and see fit for the people we are and want to be. And with this I remind you dear reader, whatever your situation, whatever person you believe you are now, know that change is possible, growth is inevitable, and whether you change or life changes you, never forget to embrace the changes and roll with the waves, you never know where they may take you. Stay dreaming, people!