The bucket list, before it was highlighted by the great film of the title, was virtually an unheard of term. Everyone felt they had to do things before they died, and everyone, throughout the world, often regretted opportunities to fulfill some of these chances that were missed, but prior to 2007, and the film’s bravery in using the phrase “Bucket List”, often remained as a taboo subject that was never mentioned or discussed. So, here is the real question, and one of major importance. Is the Bucket List needed at all? And if it is, at what age should a person accept mortality exists and therefore admit that a Bucket List, of any length, may be of use.

Let’s look first at whether it is really needed. A Bucket List is an admission that somewhere along the way death is going to occur, it is also an admission that there exists occurrences or aims that one strives to achieve. The physical manifestation of a list, and as such an admission of acceptance that a person is a human, stupid as this might seem, but there does remain an element of society that claims to be of a higher level or species!

Should a Bucket List exist regardless? The reality would say that it should, not because there is a question over a person’s mortality, or because there might be a fear that it highlights that death is approaching, but merely as it is an opportunity to put down a few ideas, of things to aspire to do, before they become forgotten, or just put to one side and never revisited as other happenings overtake them.

Now that we have established a Bucket List is a good idea, let’s look at the actual list. Initially the list was one created in panic to reflect the onset of imminent demise. The list was forced to reflect the possible limitations brought about by health, or naturally by old age. There is also the question of dignity to answer, does the public want to be assaulted by the sight of a nude 80 year old cavorting on the beach, if this is on the list. Does the 80 year old want to be seen like this?

The Bucket List is a variety of occurrences or opportunities that are strived to be achieved before a person passes over to pastures new, “Kicks the Bucket.” There is no reason why this cannot be added to or changed, there is no reason therefore why it cannot be altered as age or illness becomes a factor. But if a person writes a list at the end of their time will they regret opportunities missed.

If a Bucket List is therefore produced, why not produce it now, right this minute!

Ideally you are in your teenage years, if you are much younger too much will be missed, but by middle teenage years, life experiences will be coming thick and fast. Friends will be doing things and you will be envious, so put it on the list, however trivial it seems, it is an ambition. If a person’s bucket List suggests they want to eat chocolate until they are sick, there must be a reason, and it is eminently an achievable item!

Is the real answer behind when to write the list, is one of any time. It is always a good time to write the list and then aspire to it. Most importantly when a chance occurs, whenever that maybe, grasp it with both hands and then just do it. If the list has an item on it to do some public speaking, and there you are at a venue by chance where you can, so do it!

And this leads to the question of what goes on the list? We know the list should exist, and we have established that there is not an ideal age other than ANY age, just write one and then follow it and don’t regret not having a focus and missing things, but what are these things meant to be.

The Bucket List is a personal tribute to one’s life and their own wants. These can be major, verging on illegal, stupid or life-changing.You could really want to experience the feelings that a drug-induced high gives, run for public office, kick a Bishop in the behind or start a business. All things to put on a list, obvious entries can be run a marathon or climb a mountain, but, there is nothing stopping the Bucket List having anything on it.

So let us conclude, the Bucket List remains an emotive subject purely by its nature, but it needs to exist, the Bucket List is a means to express the aims before “kicking the Bucket!” 

As an age there is no real age for the Bucket List, it could be argued that the earlier the better, so late teens is good, but, ANY time is actually good, as long as one exists to aspire towards.

A Bucket List that has unfinished items may well give a reason to stretch life longer, so have a list, put on it things that raise smiles, and then just go after them!