When we hear the phrase “bucket list,” most of us picture the future. Dream holidays. Big goals. New adventures. But there’s another list worth writing – one that starts not with what’s ahead, but with what you’ve already lived. At boosst, we like to call it your ‘reverse bucket list’. And a simple reflection can change the way you think about what matters next.
More Than a Bucket List
We’re wired to chase the next thing. Finish one goal, set another. Even the biggest milestones – handing in your notice, raising a family, exiting a business – can quickly be filed away as we simply move on. But when was the last time you paused to acknowledge what you’ve already done?
Looking back isn’t about nostalgia for its own sake. It’s about recognising that your past is full of moments that mattered—and still do. That’s where your reverse bucket list comes in.
What would be on your ‘Greatest Hits’ album?
Think of your greatest achievements to date as a personal playlist. These are the moments that made you feel most alive and the ones that tell the story of who you are and what you value. Effectively, what have you already done in life, that would be ‘bucket list worthy’, in your opinion?
Your list might include:
- A sporting moment you’ll never forget; when your team did the impossible, or a ritual shared with your kids at the weekend match.
- A trip that left a mark; standing in front of something ancient, vast, or beautiful, or simply sharing a laugh with strangers in a new place.
- A meal you’ll always remember; whether it was at a world-famous restaurant or something you cooked yourself.
- Milestones in love, life and loss; being there when it counted, whether at a wedding, a farewell, or a quiet hospital bedside.
- Creative expression; writing, painting, performing, or anything else that allowed you to share a part of yourself.
- Private victories; perhaps you have needed to overcome a personal challenge that no one else saw.
It doesn’t have to be dramatic or public. Some of the most meaningful moments are the quiet ones: coaching your child’s team, building something with your hands, or saying the right thing at the right time.
Why It Matters
Taking time to look back gives you something we may otherwise take for granted: historical perspective.
So many of our conversations in life are framed around what you’ll do next. Sure, that’s important. But when you reflect on what’s already been meaningful, a pattern often emerges: your best moments probably weren’t about money itself – they were about what money allowed you to do. Travel. Time. Connection. Purpose.
That clarity helps bring focus to your future plans. It reminds you what you want more of – and what might not matter so much after all.
Start the Conversation
So open a note on your device of choice, or even a good old pen and paper, and try making your own list. Better yet, do it with a partner, or talk it through with a friend over a nice chilled drink (or two!). Inevitably you’ll uncover some forgotten memories and you might even learn something new about the people closest to you.
And if you’re finding that your bucket list is getting shorter, your reverse bucket list might be the perfect place to spark new ideas. It’s a reminder that you’ve already lived a remarkable life – and that there’s still room for plenty more.