Bucket lists contain all the things you simply must tick off your to do list before you kick the bucket.

And, creating one is a great way to pinpoint what you want to do with your life and can function as a great motivator for getting out there and achieving those non-negotiable must haves in life.

A few popular items that may appear on Australian’s bucket lists include ‘see Paris’ and ‘buy a house’ but, for the most part, the items on your list should look like no-one else’s. Your motivation for including each item shouldn’t be what you think you should do before you die, based on what everyone else has said. It should be, what you want to do, based on your own true goals, hopes and dreams.

From the mundane to the extravagant, you want your bucket list to be an accurate reflection of and a tribute to you. Whether it’s learning the recipe for a dish you love off by heart, or skiing down the Austrian Alps wearing only a t-shirt and goggles; your bucket list doesn’t need to have any rhyme or reason to it whatsoever. Make it your own and fill it with the things that will make you happy.

To celebrate the sheer ingenuity and uniqueness of each and every bucket list creator out there, here is a quick guide to creating your own, truly you bucket list. Remember – don’t hold back.

Where to write it

Thinking about doing something is quite different to actually doing it. Inspirational speaker Frederique Murphy suggests writing your list down – be it on paper or a device of some kind – in order to make it more tangible, and therefore, more actionable.

How to write it

Here’s a handy hint: write actionable points for each bucket list item, including roughly when you’re going to achieve it and how. If you have a strategy in place, then you’re more likely to get it done.

Be specific

If your dream is to be a published writer one day, then refrain from just writing ‘write and publish a book.’ The aim with your list is to be specific. What kind of book would you like to write? Who’s the audience? These details should be included in your list. 

Common bucket list items

Bucket lists are everywhere, created for activities, actions, countries, events, movies and every possible combination of these elements. But there are some common threads.

Statistics website Statista outlined the top bucket list ideas for US travellers from 2014, all of which could easily inspire us Australians. The top five were:

1. Fly first class
2. Research your heritage
3. Visit all seven continents
4. Go on an African safari
5. Hike a famous track or mountain

But – YOUR bucket list doesn’t have to look like anything anyone is else. If you’re not a big fan of travelling, then don’t include it. You also don’t need dozens, or even hundreds of items. If you’re satisfied with three things, or even just the one, that’s great! Just do it your way.

You might need to ask yourself a few questions to figure out what’s best for your own list. For example:

1. If you died tomorrow, what would you most regret not doing?
2. Where have you never visited, but want to?
3. What have you not achieved yet, but would like to achieve?
4. What skills do you not have that you’d love to learn?
5. Who have you never met, that you would love to meet?

With your five personal questions answered, your unique list should be well underway. Need to add a few more items to it? Here are some thought starters:

Go skydiving

If you’re a thrill seeker, find some options for some happiness points in the way of adrenaline. BASE jumping, skydiving, big wave surfing… the world’s your own terrifying oyster.

Get a tattoo

What is meaningful in your life? Have you ever wanted this thing – be it a name, symbol, saying or image – tattooed onto your skin? Get it! YOLO!

Visit all of the world wonders

The New Seven Wonders of The World, chosen by over 100 million votes, include Machu Picchu, The Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China to name a few. If you’re a nature person/history buff, then this could be a bucket list item for you.

Visit the Game of Thrones top locations

If you’re feeling empty now that the beloved series comes to an end, why not experience GoT locations in real life?

What are the weirdest ones?

Need some inspiration from a different perspective? Add these weird ideas/bucket lists to your research pile:

• Get a job as an extra on a Hollywood film
• Take your closest friends to Abbey Road, London, and recreate The Beatles’ album cover
• Sleep over somewhere haunted
• Learn how to eat fire
• Create a board game

What’s on your bucket list?