What’s on your bucket list?

South Korean boy band BTS, the global K-Pop phenomenon, had initiated a campaign titled ‘Love Yourself’ where they told their fans the importance of bucket lists and also guided them on how to make one, with tips like taking time to figure out what one really wanted to do and setting realistic goals and plans.

Bucket lists are unique to each individual. As Ayushi Malhotra, lecturer and MPhil scholar, Christ University says, “They help you stay excited, push you out of your comfort zone and help you know yourself a little better.’’

“As a musician, there are many bucket lists I have made. I want to perform with certain people, to work with and under certain ones, to make some people listen to my work and so on,’ says Raghuraman Ramasubramanian, a guitarist and bassist who has played for Lucky Ali, Taufiq Qureshi, Louis Banks and Arjun Janya.

Many agree that having a bucket list inspires you and helps you stay organised and motivated.

“My bucket list goals include getting a comedy special on Netflix, doing a 10-day trek in the Himalayas and seeing Annapurna Base Camp (I have heard it’s crazier than Mount Everest). These goals give me some direction and everything I do, whether it’s a show in Bengaluru for 100 people or running a 10K race, pushes me closer to my goals,” says comedian Sanjay Manaktala.

A physical copy makes it more fun

Rhea Ramesh, a student, says “I made my bucket list in two stages. Firstly, I go on pinterest, search for different things I want to do, and add them to my pinterest board. Then I print out the pictures and stick them onto a scrapbook I’ve had since the eight grade. I have been following the same method for years now.”

We agree that jotting down your dreams does make them more realisable and concrete. So go ahead and create that bucket list you have been wanting to do for months now. Make them in the form of picture books for a visual appeal, and go wild with the colours and images.

A bucket list inspires you

City-based comedian Ahmed Sheriff is ticking off his bucket list ideas, which revolve around travel.

“My gigs take me to different cities. I always stay back a day or two extra; I’ve explored several places in India this way. Now the next is to tick off international travel from the list; I hope to make it happen this year.’

Striking off something from the list gives you a sense of accomplishment, says Ashray Menon, a sportsperson. “One of my bucket list items was to be the captain for my college frisbee team. I felt writing it down would give me the desire and hunger to perform well enough to make this happen.”

Ashray has been named the captain of the college frisbee team for the next academic year.