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Creating the list

Creating a list is exciting. Especially when it comes to thinking about all of the possible goals I want to explore and work on achieving. Some goals have come from ideas from over the years, and some have simply come from inspiration I find all around me. It doesn’t matter how big or small they may be. To me it’s about the steps forward, the journey it takes whether high or low, from start to finish. And the memories which I make along the way.

Even to this day, goals get added regularly to the Not Bucket List.

Originally the journey started off as a 365 day challenge – with the aim to bring it to a close and reflect on what I had achieved. But as time has gone on with many memories made, we now are reaching our sixth year with no end date in sight.

What started as a simple mental health boost needed at the right time, has become a personal inspiration to achieve as much as I can, whilst making as many memories along the way.

So who knows how far this list can go. Just because a list is written at the start of the journey, doesn’t mean it can’t have any further goals added or removed along the way. Things may need adapting down the line, but for now it’s exactly what I need.

Taking on the challenge

Challenges can come in many shapes and sizes. But no matter the goal, I like to document it from start to finish.

Before I start any challenge, I like to plan a little bit. Even if I honestly have no clue what I am doing. I tend to research a bit about what I plan to do. (Unless a friend is surprising me and then they tend to research on my behalf).

With each goal, I try to document in a way to catch as many memories as I can. Whether it be short form with content that speaks loud despite the short time. Or whether it’s long form and in a vlog or cinematic style to capture as much of the essence of the goal as possible.

I set myself at least three tasks:

• To capture the journey start to finish,
• To capture the emotions I felt throughout the goal,
• To film and photograph as much as possible. Because it’s better to have too much, than too little.
  

Once I feel ready to start, I pick up my camera, any tickets needed and start the challenge.

Reflecting on achievements

The first thing I like to do is to take a moment and gather my thoughts. Sometimes accomplishing a goal can be overstimulating for me. I like to be able to take a step back and really go “wow, no matter the journey I have been able to do X, Y and Z”.

After I have taken some time to let the achievement set in I spend time reflecting on my journey going through photos and videos that I’ve taken, reminding myself of how far I’ve come, the emotions I felt and the memories I have made. Often this time is used to really process the whole experience physically, emotionally and mentally. And when I am ready, I begin to turn the content filmed and the memories I made into the type of format suited to capture what I have achieved in the best way.

As of 2025 I will be keeping a leather journal to hand, along with an Canon Zoemini 2 instant printer as a physical reminders of what I have achieved. Inside the journal is an A-Z section with pages to be filled in after a goal has been achieved, followed by a photo being added into the portfolio at the back. Each page consists of the following:

• The goal I have achieved,
• The date completed,
• A 10 star rating of the experience,
• My overall experience thoughts section,
• My favourite memory.

And then the last task I have is to add a keepsake from the experience to the time capsule for that year to be opened sometime in the future.