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Do You Have a Bucket List?

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whiteraven

MyPTSD Pro
What would you like to do before you die?

I used to have a bucket list, but I just pitched it one day when I decided I'd never do any of it anyway. But as I was cleaning up around here I found a journal set up as a bucket list - with things you want to do and a place to write about why, etc... I bought it when I was planning my journaling workshop and had forgotten about it.

I'm rethinking the whole thing. I've been planning some short road trips when things get back to normal (or well...you know) to do some research on a book I'm writing. While I was working on these - which includes creating the actual route and finding things to do and historical sites - I've run across some unrelated things to see that I am thinking I'd really like to do. That got me thinking about other things I'd like to do.

I've got some general ideas in my head that I want to do - some mundane, so kind of out there LOL - and I decided it might be a good idea to journal about them.

So...anyone else have or thinking about starting a bucket list?
 
I have a bucket list of places to travel - was thinking of starting a thread about it and then saw this :)

Lots of things I want to do for sure. I want to learn Italian for a start.
 
Yes, I do have a bucket list. Thanks for reminding me. I think bucket lists are important. They give me hope. I was just looking on Facebook and added another destination to my bucket list last night. Its fun to think about....
 
No, I don't have a bucket list. Unfulfilled wishes/desires and the elevated tension of hope and/or expectations for anything that requires people other than myself still emotional quick sand for me. I do though still set goals but I keep them reasonable, achievable, and use SMART goal setting techniques.

I don't think in terms of doing anything "before I die" either. I find it imposes an unnecessary stressor in my intrapersonal relationships. I did though flunk ink blots in therapy and somewhere amidst the traumas apparently decided that "imagining" or daring to dream about wants & desires was detrimental to my psyche. It's not entirely blocked... but it's like trying to open a rusty heavy door. It's like trying to decide what I would like for my birthday... a difficult process. I'm having a struggle with that right now.

Good topic, It will be interesting to read what others say.
 
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Travel is really rough on me due to health conditions. I had one once when I was younger, and it was to travel around the world. Then the internet was invented and in a way I can check that one off my list because of it. So I am good now, I think.
 
I want to learn Italian for a start.

What's stopping you?

I love languages...currently working on Arabic!

They give me hope.

Exactly. I think that's why I got to thinking about it again. I need some hope.

* Finish my Master’s thesis
* Revisit Iona abbey in Scotland
* Write an essay on what I’ve found of value in life

Working on a Master's is really hard but very rewarding. Best time I ever spent in school. Can I ask what your Master's is in?

I would love to go to Scotland. Thanks for giving me another place to look up. Much of my family is from Scotland and I would love to see some of the places they lived.
 
Learn another language

Great list, Nat! What language would you like to learn?

Write a book

Do it! I'm working on 4 right now. LOL

No, I don't have a bucket list. Unfulfilled wishes/desires and the elevated tension of hope and/or expectations for anything that requires people other than myself still emotional quick sand for me. I do though still set goals but I keep them reasonable, achievable, and use SMART goal setting techniques.

Hm...I don't think a bucket list necessarily has to hold unachievable goals. Sorry that that's a place you have trouble going. But in fact, it's likely more satisfactory to have goals (which I think a bucket list in its essence is) that you CAN work toward.

I did though flunk ink blots in therapy and somewhere amidst the traumas apparently decided that "imagining" or daring to dream about wants & desires was detrimental to my psyche.

Oh, that's sad. :-(
 
It's such a good idea to do this exercise... especially for PTSD people. I know this isn't the exercise because it's not fleshed out but just a list for me right now.

  • Fly a paramotor, own one if I like it
  • live somewhere with water outside my home
  • relationship

I had to look up paramotor because I wasn't sure what it was. How cool!

I've been thinking about this some this morning - I am going to include this whole idea in my journaling workshop - and I think I'm going to set up my bucket list journal (I have an actual journal dedicated to that, but you can do it in a regular blank one) with things I actually hope to do and things I'd love to do but I know I never will.

For me, it brings hope and it also allows me to think about things bigger than me. You don't have to be older to start this; in fact, the earlier you start it, the more likely it will be that you can finish it.
 
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