How Starting Small Helped Me Build a Meaningful Life List
People often recommend creating a bucket list—but when you’re in a season of rediscovery, it’s not always easy to know where to begin. Should you dream big? Or start small?
For me, starting with a mini-bucket list was the key. It made my list achievable, personal, and meaningful—without filling it with unattainable goals that didn’t reflect who I really was. As I grew, so did my list.
👉 Related: How to Create a Bucket List
My 2013 Mini-Bucket List
Conquer my fear of jumping in a lake — Done! July 28, 2013. (It was terrifying… but empowering. Will I do it again? Maybe!)
Conquer my fear of heights — Still on my radar.
Off-roading in a Jeep — Not only did I try it, it became one of my greatest passions.
Hike Old Rag — Adventure goal still calling my name.
Run around Lake Courage (7 miles) — Made it halfway before rain stopped me.
Start a new hobby (biking) — Tried it, but knee issues taught me it wasn’t my thing.
Camping at Swallow Falls — Family adventure pending.
Canoe with my Boys — A must-do memory in the making.
Take my boys hiking — Creating experiences that last a lifetime.
Make a new friend — Simple, but life-changing.
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| Jumping in a lake - Facing my Fears |
New Goals (2014)
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Start a training regimen
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Try a new Tex-Mex restaurant
New Goals Added (2019)
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Bowling night
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Karaoke 🎤
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See the band Reagan Years
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Escape Room with friends
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Try new restaurants (Pub Dog Pizza, Sanford Grill)
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Dance more (Nottingham’s Tavern)
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Find a good jazz bar
Reflection: 10 Years Later
Looking back, I see a clear theme:
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Adventure
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My kids
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My Jeep
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Facing fears
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Trying new things
Even after a decade, those remain at the heart of who I am and the goals I pursue today. My mini-list wasn’t just “small goals”—it was a blueprint for discovering myself.
This was just the beginning! Two years later, I wrote Starting My First Bucket List as my goals began to grow. Today, I’ve expanded even further—see my full journey on my Bucket List page for the full journey of adventures, goals achieved, and how my list has grown.
FAQ: Starting a Bucket List
Q: How do I start a bucket list if I don’t know what I want?
A: Start small. Pick 3–5 things that scare you a little, excite you, or connect to what you loved as a kid. That’s what I did with my mini-list.
Q: Should a bucket list be big goals only?
A: No! The most meaningful lists are a mix of small, doable experiences and bigger dreams. My first bucket list had “canoe with my boys” right alongside “conquer my fear of heights.”
Q: What makes a bucket list meaningful?
A: It should reflect your values, not what sounds impressive. Mine revealed that adventure, family, and conquering fears were at the core of who I am.
Q: Can a bucket list change over time?
A: Absolutely. As you grow, your list will too. My mini-list evolved into bigger adventures, new friendships, and Jeep off-roading—something I never knew would become a passion.
Closing Thought
Your bucket list doesn’t need to be filled with skydiving or trips around the world to matter. Sometimes the most powerful step is starting small—with goals that reflect you right now. Over time, those small wins build a meaningful, personal life list that grows with you.
Start where you are. Dream a little. And most importantly—live it.
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