7+ Ways of How to Create a Bucket List: Find a Perfect Place for Your Bucket List

Learn how to create a bucket list. Where will your bucket list live?

So, you’ve decided to make a bucket list. What does it look like? Is it a neat collection of life-changing goals organised in a journal, or a creative collage of dreams in a scrapbook? Or, is it a digital list where you can easily update and share it with others?

Here’s something to consider. Do you hold onto mementoes like train tickets from your holiday? Well, that’s me! In this case, I would use a digital list for easy organisation, but the idea of having a scrapbook as a keepsake also appeals to me.

Whatever your vision, this blog post will help you explore various platforms for your bucket list. It’ll also remind you of the significance of creating a bucket list where your true desires and dreams live.

This post is about how to create a bucket list on a platform that you love.

Part One: Finding Home for Your Bucket List

When I first sat down to make a bucket list, I struggled to come up with anything. I had forgotten how to dream because I was living with limited beliefs for a long time.

But, here’s the thing. Somewhere deep inside of me, I knew I still hadn’t given up on my dreams (whatever they were!).

How about you?

Whether you know what to include in your bucket list or not, it’s never too early to think about how you want your list to look like. What type of platform will you use?

Your bucket list isn’t just a checklist of things to do before you “kick the bucket.” It’s the space where your deepest dreams and desires live. It’s personal, and as such, it should have a format that feels right for you.

Whether you love the tactile experience of pen on paper, the visual beauty of a scrapbook, or the convenience of digital platforms, there are many ways to create your bucket list.

Let’s dive in.

1. Bucket List Journal Ideas

A popular choice is the classic bucket list journal. There are options such as;

Bucket list journals that are ready to go, like this one by Ben Nemtin and this one for a couple.
Or, ones that you can customise when you order. You can have your (& your partner’s) name printed, choosing cover designs or colour options to make the journal your own.
You could also choose a journal with prompts that encourage reflection, helping you dig deep into your true desires.

Browse online shops like Amazon and Etsy. You’ll be surprised by the amount of choice available to you.

When you make your own bucket list in a physical bucket list journal, the process becomes creative, personal and intentional. There is something powerful about writing down your dreams in ink.

Maybe you can explore different styles by searching for creating a bucket list template, download, print and test them out before committing to one journal. This can help you see which format suits your creative flow best.

2. Bucket List Scrapbook Ideas

Are you into scrapbooking? Or, do you love arts and crafts? Then, a scrapbook could be where your bucket list lives.

Bucket list scrapbooking offers a beautiful and ultimately personal way, not just for visualising your goals but also capturing the memories once they’re achieved. You can design pages with cut-outs, quotes, and other visual elements that represent your dreams.

As you tick off each item, you can fill the scrapbook with photos, small items such as train tickets, pressed flowers, etc. Go ahead and add notes about the experience, anything that’s significant to you, and you’ll turn your bucket list into a precious keepsake.

Scrapbooking can also be a mindful & exciting process to work through your list creatively. Check out this inspiring guide for bucket list scrapbook ideas and tips on turning your scrapbook into a personal masterpiece.

3. Digital Bucket List Options

Do you prefer the ability to make instant changes and the ease of sharing with others? If so, a digital platform is the ideal home for your bucket list. Some digital platforms examples are:

Shared Bucket List App: Apps allow you to track your goals easily. And, if you are creating a couple’s bucket list or planning adventures with friends, apps are one of the best ways to share them with loved ones. It’s a collaborative space where you can also swap ideas and favours, be inspired and accountable for the work each of us do to make our dreams come true.

Spreadsheet Templates: Some people swear by spreadsheets, and I understand why. It’s a super practical way to organise everything that involves in bucket list making, storing data and tracking. When you search online, you’ll find bucket list spreadsheet templates available in both free and paid options. If you are used to spreadsheet, you can probably imagine how efficiently you can edit, filter and track your progress. It also has a beauty of extracting and transferring part of the data into various interface for display and print outs.

Canva and Airtable: I love Canva, and recommend it for a more customisable and visually appealing digital option for creating your bucket list. Canva is a free online graphic design tool and offers beautiful bucket list templates. Another great free tool is Airtable. It’s a project management tool that makes creating a bucket list layout as simple as a few clicks. Airtable combines organisation with flexibility and visual appeal.

With digital platforms, you can easily adjust and update your goals, add new dreams, and share the experience with others—whether it’s a personal project or a journey shared with someone.

4. More Tools Online

If you’re still not sure and want to explore more options, go to your favourite web browser such as Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, etc.

In the search bar, try typing in terms like “bucket list maker online”. You will discover more options that might appeal to you.

Some websites offer tools to categorise and prioritise your goals—websites like BucketList that help you with ideas, advice and support to live life to the fullest.

You have countless resources at your fingertips!

5. Mix & Match

Who says you have to choose just one format? You might prefer to start with a pen & pater, but keep a digital copy for better organisation and convenience.

Or, perhaps you’d like to use an app to track your progress in real-time, but absolutely love the idea of creating a scrapbook bucket list.

Using more than one format can give you the best of both worlds and help you stay motivated.

Part Two: Making It Your Own

By now, you might have found the perfect home for your bucket list, or at least have some ideas that you want to try.

Now, let’s get into the contents of your bucket list. How do we make it our own?

6. Dreamstorming: Start Simple

When I first sat down to create a bucket list, I actually struggled to come up with anything. I needed some inner work. I needed to go on a personal development journey.

Because I lived with limited beliefs for as far as I could remember, I had forgotten how to dream. Starting over in my 50s, it was a hard task to think that I could still create opportunities to live an extraordinary life.

How about you?

Well, you might be the complete opposite and feel overwhelmed with so many ideas and inspirations available! If so, it can also be hard to focus on what truly matters to you.

So, for both types of people, I believe that starting simple is the way to go.

Dreamstorming
Grab a pen and a piece of paper and begin with a dreamstorming session.
This is similar to brainstorming, but focused solely on your dreams and desires.

Ask yourself, “If there’s no limit to time or money, what do I really want to do before I die?”

Let your thoughts flow. Don’t worry about details.
What makes your heart race with excitement?
What really matters to you?

7. Giving Your List Time to Evolve

You’ve written your initial list. Know that it’s not set in stone.

Often, we need to give our ideas space to breathe. Leave your list for a few hours… or even a few days. Then revisit it with fresh eyes.

You might find that certain dreams look more important, while others don’t feel as pressing. Or, you might be surprised to see something completely new emerge, something that was deep within you, something that’s awakened by dreamstorming!

This reflection time can be so valuable. It gives us a chance to check in with ourselves–to see if the bucket list aligns with our true desires or not.

This is also an exciting part of the bucket list! Adjusting it and finding more inspiration.

You’ll begin to learn that this list is uniquely yours.

8. Staying on Track

When you search online, you’ll find so many bucket list ideas that other people pursue/suggest.

They can be great inspirations and some of them definitely help us remember the dreams we forgot, gave up or “put it away”.

But be careful here.

It’s easy to get lost in other people’s ideas, aspirations and dreams: Travel the world? Skydive? Write a novel?

These are all wonderful goals, but are they right for you? Stay on track, remember that your list should reflect what’s most meaningful to your life, not what seems popular or impressive.

9. Categorising Your List

Do you have many items on your bucket list and need to organise them? There are a couple of different ways you can categorise.

Areas of Life: Categorising your bucket list items into different areas of life. For example, Personal growth, Relationships, Finance, Career, etc. This would suit you if you want to keep the list balanced across all areas of your life.
Priority: Organising your bucket list items based on priority. There must be at least one item that you just have to, have to thick off no matter what! Well, move this item to the top of the list. Select a couple of other priority items to follow.
Timeframe: Categorise your bucket list items by year, quarter, month, etc. You might like to set goals for each timeframe. What’s going to be the main event? Is it realistic? If not, what would bring you closer to that dream?

*Bonus tip: Find items that can be done without a lot of money or energy. They are easy to schedule in your calendar, and they’ll keep you motivated!

Wrap-Up

A bucket list of your own, aligned with your forgotten dreams and deepest desires… Do you think it’ll give you a chance to contemplate how you want to live the rest of your life?

I do. Creating our bucket list is a way of meeting our future self!

Digging up our forgotten dreams and true desires can be scary when we are in our 40s and 50s. “That’s not possible any more.” “She can do it, but I can’t.” “What if I can’t make them happen?” “What would people think/say?” “I’m too old.” “I don’t have enough money.” “I don’t have time.” Any of these narratives sounds familiar?

Acknowledge these narratives and replace them with;
“This is the new chapter of my life. I decide today that I’ll be brave and make my dreams come true.”

Oh, one more thing.

Remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Grab your best friend or a family member, someone who also cares about their dreams and desires. If you have a partner, it’s also a great idea to create a couple’s bucket list and build a shared journey. You would deepen Creative Intimacy and other types of intimacy by working towards the same goal as a couple. Check out my post on how to create a bucket list for couples.

Here’s to our brand new chapter.

This post was about how to create a bucket list on a platform that you love.