Last Updated on August 26, 2024 by Kirsten Raccuia
When I went home in March, my Aunt Diane passed away suddenly, mid-sentence while eating yogurt. We were all so shocked. Couldn’t wrap our minds around it–still can’t. But it reminded me that there is no time like the present and although it’s cliche, it is true.
I’m not fond of the term “bucket list.” It implies that there is impending doom around the corner, and life can be over in an instant. So until I come up with a better term, I’m going with “f*ck it list.” Because, well, why the hell not. It’s time to say F*ck it and do the things that make you happiest. Go on that dream safari, become a pool shark, whatever it is, just go out there and do it!
Travel/Wildlife
Africa
Live/work on a game farm somewhere in Africa for at least a month
Go to the Skeleton Coast in Namibia
See the lemurs in Madagascar
Visit Monkeyland in South Africa
See the Gelada baboons in Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains National Park
Stay in a riad in Marrakech
Asia
Attend a full moon party in Thailand
Sleep in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives
Stay in Khao Sok National Park in a floating camp
See the Japanese macaques in the Jigokudani Monkey Park in winter
Stay in a ryokan in the Japanese countryside
Go naked in a Japanese onsen
Visit the Toraja people of Sulawesi and see the death balconies and a buffalo market
Snorkel in the clear waters of the Perhentian Islands off the east coast of Malaysia
Penang
Go to Escape Theme Park-ride the largest water slide and do the aerobat and slingshot
Visit Habitat on Penang Hill
Go into Kapitan Keling Mosque
Go to Temple of Fine Arts
See the Penang Avatar Secret Garden at night
Penang 3d Trick Art Museum and Upside-Down Museum
Visit all the speakeasies here:
Manchu- Le
- The Bund
Secret Door12 SensesMagazine 63Good Friends Club- Norm/Noct
Room 495
Caribbean
Go rum tasting in Cuba
Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago
Europe
Hang glide over Pamukkale hot springs in Turkey
Sail around Croatia
India
Go on a tiger safari in India
Dance on the beach in Goa
Stay in an old-world opulent 5-star hotel in Jaipur
Attend the Pushkcar Camel Fair
Middle East
Stay in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum Jordan
See Petra at night
Ride a camel in the desert of Dubai and
Go sand boarding in Dubai
Spend three months traveling in Israel
Visit a traditional Hamman in Turkey
Go to Cyprus and see the wildflowers and go wine tasting (just got back from there)
North America
Attend Dia De Los Muertos in Mexico
See the butterfly migration in central Mexico
Go humpback whale-watching
Swim with whale sharks.
Swim in cenotes.
Oceania
See the mudmen and other tribes in Papua New Guinea
Go on a bird tour of Papua New Guinea
Attend a cultural festival in Papua New Guinea (Tufi Tapa Tattoo Festival, Goroka Show, Hagen Show)
Swim with humpback whales in Tonga.
South America
Carnival in Rio
Stay at the Skylodge transparent capsule off the side of a mountain in Peru
Do the Via Ferrata and Zipline while in Peru
Other Travel Related
Take a slow train trip to see a new country (Trans-Mongolian? Trans-Siberian?)
Slow travel for a year, three months at a time
Stay in a yurt
Sleep in an ice hotel
See the northern lights in Greenland
Go on an Earthwatch Expedition
Live in Phuket or some island with clear blue water
Also live in the EU
Career/Business
Become an entrepreneur again
Do something I love for a living
Pocket over $5000 per month with new career path
Earn over 100K per year
Be proficient in SEO
Take a copywriting course
Finish my Nomadic Matt blog and Location Rebel courses
Be recognized as an authority in my field
Become a freelance writer and make regular money doing it
Be location independent
Create passive income
Write for another travel magazine/website
Get a paid public speaking gig (conquer my fear)
Collaborate with a bigwig in my field
Be a mentor
Build up my “As Featured In” or “Media” portfolio
Find a side hustle
Become proficient at Photoshop or Lightroom
Build Sand in My Curls newsletter blog to
100 followers500 followers1000+ followers- 10,000+ followers
Charity
Give $1000 of my own earnings to a charity
Make enough money to help my loved ones
Give money annually to a charity
Volunteer on a regular basis
Go on a volunteer “vacation”
Help build a home
Volunteer for disaster relief
Buy someone’s groceries
Unique Experiences/Hobbies
Take a beginners wine tasting course in France
Learn to make cheese from a fromager
Take horse riding lessons
Become a master marksman
Learn to use a pottery wheel
Take a make-up artist class
Join the Peace Corps or something like it
Learn a new language (currently learning Spanish)
Take a skiing lesson
Get my Italian passport
Be in a Hollywood movie
Renew our vows on an exotic beach somewhere
Get a bespoke wedding dress made
Learn how NOT to kill plants
Grow a garden with veggies and herbs
Have pygmy goats-but I’m probably allergic
Go to a surf camp
Go rappelling
Watch a meteor shower
Learn to ride a scooter
What’s on your bucket/f*ck-it/dream list?
How do you keep yourself accountable or stay motivated for the things you want in life? I’m all ears.
Reply in the comments and let me know.
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#11 are indeed nice to do. Not just once, but multiple times. Best season? Winter time.
Haven’t you meanwhile completed #17?
Hi Jeroen!
Thanks for reading! Next time we plan Japan, we’ll have to get your input!
Yes, I have done #17. I need to update this list now that it is year-end.
What’s on your f*ck-it list?
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Wow – I love love love this concept… so much better than the bucket list. If you ever need company for any these line items, let me know… you have some really good ideas that I would not say no to (even if they aren’t on my own f-ck it list.) May I also submit to you to come to Helsinki and do traditional ice swimming and sauna? It’s on me.
Nova! I will take you up on both offers! Let’s do it! Which one first?
Hi Kirsten,
I like your wish list. Let me know when you want to be a master marksman. I am a certified master marksmen instructor, taught it for 5 years to JROTC students and others.
It:
It’s always good to have a list of goals. For us, it centers on travel. For others, it centers on accomplishments (build a better mouse trap, be president, etc.). I think for others, it is to make an impact on the world around us. Perhaps by helping people or causes. I helped my family decorate my fathers grave this memorial day (1st time for me as I was always somewhere else before), and it gave me pause. Will I be remembered? Do I want to be remembered? For what?
Some times I feel like the boy tossing starfish back into the ocean from a beach filled with starfish. My single actions will not mean a lot, but to that particular starfish, it means the world. Who can I help or how can I make a difference as we travel. This summer we are working on our family farm and maybe (well Larisa says we will) buying a place in Italy. I guess I love helping and being a mentor. I really liked teaching English in Vietnam. Maybe that’s my wish list? 🙂
As always, keep up the good work. I enjoy reading your adventures……..and especially your misadventures!
Hi Eric,
I am so glad you enjoy reading my blog. That means a lot to me.
I will certainly let you know when I’m ready for my marksmen classes, prob need to be in the US for that.
What an honor for you to be with family and decorate his grave on Memorial Day. That must have been very moving.
I think every single action taken means a lot, maybe it’s hard to see the direct result right away, but it is there. Continue to be a mentor, teach English online to children, do whatever big or small actions you can!
I can’t wait to hear more about this home in Italy! You know “happy wife, happy life 😃”!
Love this and you 😘😘
Xoxo
Awww, thank you, Caitlin! Love you!
Hey Kirsten
We met one night in a bar I’m KL. I’ve done quite a few of the things on your list and I agree with your philosophy about life. Live it, but leave something behind each adventure to benefit others.
Would love to enjoy a wine and a chat one day Sue
Hi Susan,
I remember you! Thanks for reading my blog! Would love to meet up for a wine one day and hear about your adventures. Let me know if you come to Penang.
Hi Kirsten, that was quite an impressive list you have. I hope you get to experience all the things that you want in your life. I have a fear of flying. That is flying out of my comfort zone. I hope I can MoveOn someday from this fear
A lot of people are afraid to get out of their comfort zone. It isn’t easy. Try to take small steps towards a bigger goal every day. The fear won’t go away unless you do things to push it away. Don’t’ let it overcome your life or you might never be able to move on.💕