Last Updated on March 1, 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
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.💕