50+ Super Simple Bucket List Ideas [An Everyday Bucket List]

1. Find a Job You Love

People spend about one-third of life at work. So, hating your job effectively means being unhappy for a third of your life!

Everybody deserves to love what they do.

What brings you joy? Is there a way to make money from it?

Here are 100 life goals ideas with more suggestions for making the most of your time.

2. Travel to a New Country Each Year

The world is a big place! There’s so much to see and do.

Going on a trip or taking a vacation to a new country every year will help you see it. You’ll have something to look forward to and get an outlet for your wanderlust.

To combine work and travel, here are some of the best jobs for adventure lovers.

3. Go To a New Festival

I’ve never been to a proper festival, but they look like a fantastic way to escape the usual routine.

You spend a few days listening to music, dancing, relaxing, having fun, hanging out with friends, and meeting cool people.

Why not find one you like the sound of and book tickets?

4. Take a Trip with Close Friends

Sharing experiences with close friends is always special.

After all, life should be about making memories, and going away with your nearest and dearest is sure to create some!

Related post: 30 Things to Do Before You’re 30

5. Go On a Road Trip

Simple bucket list ideas don’t get much better than going on a road trip.

With the sun shining, you pack up the car, put on some music, and hit the road (either by yourself or with loved ones).

It’s an awesome way to escape the norm and feel a sense of freedom.

Thinking about doing this one? Here are some ideas for what to do on a road trip.

6. Go On a Date

If you’re single and looking for a relationship, why not hop on Tinder or Bumble and find someone to go on a date with?

Don’t put too much pressure on it. They don’t have to be “the one.” You could just see the date as a fun way to do something new and meet a cool person.

7. Do Something Scary

While it’s natural to avoid scary situations, facing your fears helps you grow as a person.

It’s always good to stress-test yourself and feel uncomfortable occasionally. You realize you’re stronger and more capable than you thought.

Here are some more tips on how to find inspiration in life.

8. Make Your Own Beer/Wine

If you love good beer and wine, why not learn how to make it?

Buy the equipment, read a book about the process, do a course, and then see what happens.

I’d love to brew my own beer in the future. I think there’d be something lovely about drinking something you’d made from scratch!

9. Explore a New Area of Your Neighbourhood

How well do you know your area? Why not explore somewhere new there?

You might find all sorts of hidden gems tucked away in the places you’ve never been.

Likewise, don’t wait for people to visit before doing the touristy activities there! I made this mistake while living in London. There were so many cool things to do that I never took advantage of until somebody came to stay.

10. Reach Out to Old Friends

I was recently added on Facebook by a childhood friend.

It must have been 15 years since we last saw each other, so it was awesome to see what they’re up to nowadays.

Why not contact someone who you lost touch with? You could even organise a reunion with old school/uni friends…

11. Learn About Your Family History

Why not research your family tree? For me, learning about family history is fascinating.

There’s just something special about looking at old photographs, discovering the names of your ancestors, and hearing about their life stories.

It sheds light on who you are and where you came from.

12. Get Together As a Family

One of the downsides of travelling is how far I am from my family.

It’s made me realize how valuable it is to have easy access to them when I’m at home.

Don’t take your nearest and dearest for granted. See them as much as possible. Do cool things together. Tell them you love them.

13. Do Something Special Every Weekend

One of my best friends is amazing at making the most of her time outside work.

Drinks with friends, weekends away, hiking, seeing live sporting events, going to concerts…She’s always doing something!

I tip my hat to her. Life is short, and free time is sparse when you work full-time, which makes weekends invaluable. Why not take a look at your calendar and make some plans?

If you’re wondering what to do with your life, this post may help.

14. Visit Local Monuments

Love history? See if there are any historic sites near where you live.

There might be old monuments, castles, important battlefields, museums, houses, and so on.

When/if you’ve seen the local points of interest, start looking further afield. You could use it as one of your special weekend activities!

15. Go Hiking

Hiking is one of my favourite pastimes.

You’re outside, doing something physical, with beautiful views to enjoy along the way. It’s great exercise and food for the soul.

For city dwellers, being in nature might be even more invaluable.

16. Watch the Sunrise and Sunset

This is probably one of my favourite simple bucket list ideas:

If you haven’t done it before (or want to do it again), wake up before dawn to catch sunrise. Then, later, go somewhere at dusk to watch the sun drop over the horizon.

It’s a beautiful way to bookend the day.

17. Learn 100 Words of a New Language

I nearly wrote “learn a language.”

But having tried to learn French in the past, I know this task isn’t particularly simple!

For something easier, you could try learning 100 useful words or phrases of a new language instead. With 100 words down, you might be tempted to learn some more…

18. Learn a Song on a New Instrument

If learning a new instrument seems out of reach, why not aim to learn one or two straight-forward tunes on it instead?

It’ll get your foot in the door and may build your confidence enough to keep practicing.

19. Learn to Ride a Motorbike

Riding a motorbike is something else that seems incredibly cool to me.

It looks like freedom. It’s just you, the bike, whatever you can fit on the back, and the open road.

20. Learn to Surf

I’m awful at surfing, but I’ve done enough to know how fun it is!

There’s something meditative about it. You’re in the ocean, focused solely on trying to catch each wave. You forget about life’s stresses and trouble in the process.

21. Learn Origami

Feeling creative? Origami offers a mindful task with a tangible outcome.

Even better, learning some origami is something anyone can do in a relatively short amount of time, which they you can then do for the rest of their life.

22. Start Baking

Baking is another creative, meditative task that has (hopefully) a lovely outcome.

It’s also an awesome way to bring people joy – including yourself. Those sweet treats will always put a smile on someone’s face.

23. Learn to Cook a New & Exotic Dish

It’s easy to get caught up in the same cooking routines.

Why not spice things up and make some recipes you’ve never done before? You could even turn it into an event and invite some friends over for a dinner party.

24. Learn How to Light a Fire from Scratch

I’m talking flint and steel style! No firelighters allowed.

Learn the theory, then go camping and give it a shot. Being about to light a fire is a great lifeskill (especially for outdoor enthusiasts). You never know, it might save your life one day.

25. Try Vegetarianism

Giving up meat might seem impossible.

It might also be the last thing in the world you want to do!

However, vegetarianism isn’t as scary or unappetizing as it sounds. It’s also good for the environment (and the animals). Why not try it for a week?

If nothing else, you’ll learn some new recipes. You might even enjoy it!

26. Try Veganism for a Week

Really fancy pushing the boat out?

Veganism means zero animal products. When I first heard of it, I literally had no idea what I’d eat – almost everything I ate involved milk, butter, eggs, or meat.

Yet having tried it out for the last few years now, I can tell you it’s definitely possible!

Even better, if you know what you’re doing, vegan food is delicious, filling, and provides all the nutrients you need.

27. Try Fasting

Periods of fasting are meant to be amazing for your health and wellbeing.

It’s like a detox for your body. You give it a rest from constantly digesting food. Do your research and speak to your doctor if you’re unsure about it, though.

28. Go Skinny Dipping

There’s something liberating about stripping off and doing a naked swim.

I feel like everyone should experience it at least once – whether alone or with friends.

29. Go Star Gazing

I’ll never grow tired of staring up at a clear night sky.

It’s captivating and humbling. You can’t help but feel small when looking up at the stars, moon and constellations. It puts earthly troubles in perspective.

30. See a Shooting Star

Shooting stars are another of life’s wonders.

You look up at the night sky and at that exact second, a comet flashes through the atmosphere thousands of miles above yours head. What are the chances?

If you’ve never seen a shooting star, then be sure to make it a priority. It’s a simple bucket list idea you may remember for the rest of your life.

31. Sing Karaoke

The thought of getting up and singing karaoke terrifies me!

But some people love it. If you like singing and having a laugh on a night out, karaoke would be a perfect way to kill two birds with one stone. If you get anxious in public, it could also be a brave way to overcome those fears.

32. Join a Local Club

Looking for things to do in your spare time? Want to meet new people with similar interests?

Check out the local clubs. There might be a new sport or activity to try out. Alternatively, look on meetup.com to find other social opportunities.

33. Grow Your Own Vegetables

I love the idea of having a vegetable patch one day.

It’s probably because of my parents! They have an allotment they adore and that provides bucket-loads of beautiful, organic produce.

There’s just something vaguely magical about planting a seed and watching it turn into a vegetable that you eventually eat.

34. Help Out in the Community

Want to make a difference? Why not look for worthwhile causes in the local community you could get volunteer with or lend your weight to somehow?

Giving back is a great way to find meaning and purpose in life.

35. Read a New Book Each Month

If you love to read, why not challenge yourself to read a book every month?

Adapt the time-frame in line with your particular reading ability.

Read quickly? Then a book a week may be more of a challenge. Read more slowly? Then one book every 2 or 3 months may be better.

36. Do Regular Random Acts of Kindness

Make it a priority to do good deeds for other people.

You could commit to doing something every day to benefit others. It doesn’t have to be much.

You could buy a homeless person lunch, help an elderly lady cross the road, compliment your partner, buy your mom flowers…and so on.

37. Daily Gratitude Practice

It’s very easy to focus on our problems or the things we lack.

Make a habit of reminding yourself of the good stuff too. What/who do you appreciate? It could be anything or anyone.

Feeling grateful is a sure-fire way to overcome adversity and negative emotions.

38. Start Meditating

Meditating on a daily basis is an excellent way to look after your mental health.

It’s about taking time to be present and connect with your inner and outer world. It’s a simple bucket list idea that could make a big difference to your wellbeing.

39. Start Doing Yoga

I’ve never done yoga, but my girlfriend’s a yoga teacher and I can definitely see its appeal.

It’s like a cross between meditation and working out! You become stronger, more flexible, more self-aware, and, ultimately, happier. Why not give it a try?

40. Do Something Active Every Day

Most people (myself included, at the moment) spend most of their time inside, sitting at their desk, and working on the computer. It’s kind of sad!

Evolutionarily speaking, we’re meant to be outside walking, running, and being physical. So, as part of your simple bucket list, why not commit to doing something active every single day?

41. Take On a DIY Project

Is there anything you need?

A garden shed? Kitchen table? New wallpaper in the living room? An easel for your artwork?

Why not do/make it yourself? It could be a fun project where you learn new skills. You’ll also enjoy a tangible reward at the end of your efforts.

42. Write a Book

Writing a book isn’t easy. At the same time, I don’t think it should be overly daunting.

All it takes is an idea and the commitment to sit down and write it.

Your book doesn’t need to be sold around the world to be a success. It doesn’t even need to be published! Simply writing your own book would be a worthwhile achievement.

43. Keep a Journal

Imagine getting to the end of your life and being able to read what your thirty-year-old self was thinking at the time.

Write a daily journal, and it might happen one day.

Journaling is also a form of meditation. You reflect on how you’re feeling, and translate the messy world inside your head to something legible on a page.

44. Save $1000

I’ve all too familiar with how stressful having no money can be.

If you are, too, then “save $1000” could be a simple bucket list idea that makes a big difference.

Putting money away for a rainy day will take the stress off unexpected expenses and provide a good foundation to built from.

45. Buy Something You’ve Always Wanted

Let’s fast forward to a time when you’ve got some savings behind you and an income that leaves room for unessential expenses.

Go ahead and treat yourself!

Buy or do something you’ve always wanted. It isn’t necessarily a sensible thing to do, but blimey, life is short. And what’s money for if you aren’t going to enjoy it?

46. De-Clutter Your Home

Most people have accrued more stuff than they really need. Before long, it gets to a point where their stuff actually owns them. It impacts how they feel and what they can do.

In my experience, it feels good to have fewer things. If you’re feeling the need for change and space, why not throw out, sell, or donate any items you no longer want/need?

47. Get a Tattoo

Tattoos aren’t as scary as you think.

Yes, they’re permanent! But you forget they’re there. They just become part of you.

If you’ve wanted one for a while and have a design in mind, why not bite the bullet?

48. Do a Skydive or Bungee Jump

This bucket list idea might seem more “crazy” than “simple.” Still, skydives and bungee jumps are worth considering if you’re looking to spice things up and make memories.

They’re incredibly common and safe, yet they still offer thrills you won’t forget.

49. Train For a Marathon

A marathon might sound scary. But, with enough training, you can 100% do it.

It doesn’t have to be a marathon, either. You could start with Park Run, move on to a 10k, and slowly build up.

Running can also be a great social activity. You could join a running club to meet cool people who can help you stay motivated.

50. Go 24 Hours without Looking at a Screen

When was the last time you went a whole day without looking at a screen?

I think it’s probably been years for me, which is horrible!

Most of us spend hours each staring at smartphones, tablets and computers. Why not give your eyes and mind a break? Get outside, read a book, see a friend – anything without screens.

51. See Your Favourite Musician Live

Love live music? Got a favourite musician?

You owe it to yourself to see them play live. The tickets might be expensive, but you’ll never forget the experience.

52. Watch Your Favourite Sports Team Play Live

Watching sports on TV is one thing. But it’s totally different to sit in the stadium or on the sidelines, watching the action first hand.

Why not treat yourself and buy some tickets to the next game?

Enjoy These Simple Bucket List Ideas

I love big and crazy bucket list ideas.

But they can often feel too farfetched to act upon, too expensive to make happen, or require too much time to be feasible. You end up never ticking them off as a result.

The opposite is true with simple bucket list ideas. I hope the 50+ examples in this post have been useful! Take them into your life and you should end up having more meaningful and memorable experiences that leave you feeling more fulfilled.

Next up, check out these bucket list ideas for couples.

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