The Bucket List ??

In March 2020, just before turning 35, I was on a flight back from Jordan to Lisbon. The world was shutting down, Macron was announcing a psychological war, and no one knew how long it would last.

Like many, I had a sudden realization: my most cherished possession—freedom—was being taken away.

I asked myself: ?? If everything stopped tomorrow, what would I have truly accomplished? Am I happy? What do I really need?

Somewhere between turbulence and uncertainty, I grabbed a scrap of paper and wrote down a bucket list—not as a rigid checklist, but as a way to approach life like a business to build. Over time, I’ve questioned this concept of ticking off experiences, but here it is:

? Done

?? See all the Wonders of the World → Only one left—the Taj Mahal. Five years after Petra, I’ll finally see it in early March.

?? Visit 70 countries → India will be #70.

?? Push my limits → In April 2024, I walked 250 km of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago—15 days of rain, exhaustion, and pure satisfaction.

?? Buy an apartment as a home base → Done in Lisbon (2022). A great move for financial and mental stability, but… I already want to change.

?? Buy a van → Bought "Caipi" in 2022. More headaches than expected, but still—waking up, sliding the door open, and seeing the ocean? Worth it.

?? Launch my startup / Go freelance → Took the leap. What a roller coaster! Should have specified: choose the right partners & clients, stop spreading myself too thin. Work in progress.

?? Make an impact → Thought about studying psychology, matching people for love (not just jobs), writing a Choose Your Own Adventure book, or running a mentorship program. So far, I’ve introduced couples who are still together, connected co-founders, and helped hundreds of people find their career path. That counts.

?? Take mini-retreats every winter & never sacrifice my mental health for work → Done. Time now matters more than money. I earn less, but I’m not stressed.

?? Try the nomadic life for at least five years while keeping a home base → The challenge now? Stopping. But… should I?

?? Dance in a big cultural festival → Rio Carnival ?, next stop: Holi in India.

?? Cut out toxic people → Big spring cleaning completed.

?? One alcohol-free month per year → Done. Works so well I’m considering quitting completely—keeping only one addiction: travel.

?? No more working for assholes → Done.

?? No more dating assholes → So far, so good…

? In Progress

?? Find a sport I truly love → Horseback riding? Capoeira? Muay Thai? Still searching.

?? Go to a major festival → Maybe Burning Man in September or AfrikaBurn.

?? Heal my traumas & make peace with myself → Ongoing journey.

?? Overcome a fear → I could skydive tomorrow. But… I’m still terrified of deep water.

?? Before 45

?? Get my ULM (light aircraft) pilot license

?? Finish my book

?? Shift from FOMO to JOMO

?? Buy a house by the ocean to my mum

? Find true fulfillment—professionally and personally

Some people see a bucket list as a way to collect milestones. I see it as a way to live fully, intentionally, and with curiosity. The list may evolve, but the mindset stays the same

Adding Some Wild Cards ??

I asked ChatGPT to come up with more ideas based on what it knows about me, and here’s what it suggested. I might just pick a couple ...

Personal Growth & Challenges

?? Master a new outdoor skill (scuba diving, surfing, kite surfing, freediving)

?? Do a long road trip on a motorcycle

?? Write letters to my future self (open them at 45, 50, 60)

?? Do a silent meditation retreat (Vipassana or a mindfulness retreat)

?? Live in a completely different setting for a few months (off-grid, in a monastery, or on a remote island)

Legacy & Impact

?? Create an online course or mentorship program for digital nomads/headhunters/startup founders

?? Launch a foundation or initiative (women in tech, young entrepreneurs, mental health)

?? Publish a second book (since the first one will be finished ??)

Deep Human Experiences

?? Learn to cook a full traditional meal from every continent

?? Do a DNA test & visit my ancestral roots

?? Be a mentor for someone who truly needs guidance

The Wild Cards ??

?? Launch a podcast on unconventional life choices & nomadism

?? Crash a wedding in a foreign country (bonus: give a fake identity & backstory)

?? Sing karaoke in a completely foreign language in front of a crowd

?? Spend a night in a historical or abandoned place (castle, ghost town, or ancient ruin)

?? Attempt a Guinness World Record (something fun or absurd)

?? Sneak into a VIP section at a festival or concert (without lying or being unethical ;))

?? Write a letter to a random stranger & leave it somewhere for them to find

?? So, what’s on YOUR bucket list? Drop it in the comments! Let’s inspire each other. ??

#BucketList #Goals #PersonalGrowth #ChallengeYourself