The Modified Bucket List for Living the Life You Want

Recently the powers that be at Netflix recommended a show to me called No Tomorrow. Although it wasn’t renewed for a second season (boo), its first season inspired me in an unexpected way. The premise of the show is that one man knows the world is going to end in a short period of time and no one else knows. What is seemingly a silly concept actually has real-world applications. What if you knew the world was going to end? Would you live your life differently? With more intention? More gratitude? Maybe more joy. Perhaps you would start living the life you truly want.

Obviously the world isn’t going to end in 60 days (…or is it?…) so we still have to think about our bills and taxes and whatever BUT maybe we could add in a little more of that apocalypse mentality. Because even though the world may not be in imminent danger, we never know how much time we have left. We aren’t guaranteed tomorrow.

In the show, the characters make what is punnily named “The Apocalist”. So I decided, why not make one myself? I am after all a firm believer in list-making. In the show, it’s more than the big-ticket items “get married”, “travel to Paris”, what have you. They include things like “make amends to this person”, “put tin foil in a microwave”. If they’ve wanted to do it, they’ve added it to the list.

I’ve had a list in my mind of the big things but not the little ones. By including what may appear as a smaller item, I’m living my life with gratitude, looking for the beautiful moments among the momentous occasions.

I’ve set aside a notebook that inspires me, that I can throw in a bag, and I’ve started writing. I’ve been surprised by some of the things I’ve added. “Get married” is on there but with this new frame of mind, I’ve added, “go wedding dress shopping.” It isn’t just about the big wedding, it’s about the moments I want to have leading up to it.

I’m going to keep building my list and want to encourage you to do so too. To stop and look at the little things and to write in a notebook or your notes app or wherever the intentions you have for your life.

It is when we lead our lives looking for the little moments to string along to lead to the big ones. The first step to living the life you want is by living your life with intention. Using every day to its full advantage. Cross one thing off a week and see if your life improves. Live the life you want. One line item at a time. What do you have to lose?