Living Your Bucket List: The Art of Turning Dreams into Reality – We all have a bucket list—that magical collection of dreams, adventures, and experiences we tell ourselves we’ll do “someday.” But how often do we actually make that someday happen? Life moves fast, responsibilities pile up, and before we know it, years have passed without checking off a single thing.
I get it. We get caught up in the daily grind, waiting for the “right time” to do what we truly desire. But here’s the truth: there is no perfect time—only now. And once you start living your bucket list instead of just writing it down, something incredible happens: You feel more alive than ever.
I’ve had the privilege of checking off some amazing bucket list experiences, including one of my personal favorites—a 1950s pin-up photoshoot. I also challenged myself by learning how to ride a horse bareback, an experience that was both exhilarating and terrifying. And for the ultimate adrenaline rush? I stepped on stage at The Comedy Club to do stand-up comedy. Nothing prepares you for the vulnerability of making a room full of strangers laugh!
Beyond personal adventures, I also checked off career milestones I never imagined. I went from appearing live on CNN to discuss my work with the NBA and Lamar Odom to being featured nine times on KTLA TV, where I became a recognized expert in my field. And if that wasn’t surreal enough, I even found myself on the red carpet in LA, surrounded by the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
Each experience reminded me how powerful it is to actively create these moments instead of just dreaming about them.
Let’s talk about why completing your bucket list is so important and how you can start making your dreams a reality today.
Why Your Bucket List Matters
A bucket list is more than just a collection of fun ideas; it’s a blueprint for a life well lived. It represents your passions, your inner desires, and the parts of you that often get buried under daily obligations.
When you actively pursue your dreams, you:
- Feel More Fulfilled—Checking off an item isn’t just about the experience itself; it’s about proving to yourself that you are capable of making things happen.
- Break Free from Routine—Life shouldn’t be about work, sleep, and repeat. Infusing adventure into your life keeps things exciting and meaningful.
- Boost Your Confidence—Each goal you accomplish reminds you that you are capable of so much more than you think.
- Create Memories, Not Regrets—At the end of your life, you won’t remember the emails you sent or the errands you ran, but you will remember the experiences that set your soul on fire.
How to Start Living Your Bucket List Today
So how do you stop dreaming and start doing?
Here’s the game plan.
1. Write It Down—and Make It Bold
If you don’t have a physical bucket list, make one today.
Write down every single thing you’ve ever wanted to do—no matter how big, small, or wild it seems. The key is to be bold. Don’t limit yourself by time, money, or logistics. Just dream.
A few ideas:
- Travel to Bali and do yoga on the beach
- Get a tattoo that means something deeply personal
- Learn how to surf, skydive, or ballroom dance
- Write a book (or six!)
- Ride a horse bareback just to feel completely free
- Step on stage and try stand-up comedy (if you dare!)
- Walk the red carpet in LA
2. Set a Deadline (Yes, Really!)
One of the biggest mistakes people make is keeping their bucket list open-ended. Vague dreams don’t become reality, but goals with deadlines do.
Once you have your list, choose three items that excite you and set a date for each. It doesn’t have to be perfect; just commit.
For example:
- “By June, I’ll do a professional pin-up photoshoot.”
- “By the end of the year, I’ll take a cooking class in Italy.”
- “By next summer, I’ll finally skydive.” Having a deadline turns your dream into an actual plan.
3. Get Creative with the ‘How’
Many people hesitate because they think, “I don’t have the time or money to do this right now.”
But there’s almost always a way to make it work:
- Travel Hack: Use credit card points, house-sitting gigs, or group travel discounts.
- Budget-Friendly Experiences: Not everything has to cost a fortune—sometimes the best adventures are right in your city.
- Micro-Experiences: If a big goal feels overwhelming, break it into smaller steps. Before my pin-up photoshoot, I researched the style, tried vintage outfits, and finally booked a professional shoot. When you get creative, you realize there are more opportunities than obstacles.
4. Do It Scared—Perfection is Overrated
One thing I’ve learned is that waiting until you’re “ready” means you’ll never do it. Fear and doubt will always creep in.
When I learned to ride a horse bareback, I was nervous at first. There’s nothing to hold onto, no saddle to stabilize you—just you, the horse, and trust. But once I embraced it, I felt completely free, like I was tapping into something primal and instinctual
And stepping on stage to do stand-up comedy? That was next-level terrifying. The thought of bombing in front of an audience made me second-guess myself, but once I got that first laugh, I was hooked. The high of making people laugh was pure magic.
Appearing live on CNN to discuss my work with the NBA and Lamar Odom? That was another challenge altogether. Speaking on national television about something so deeply important required confidence and poise. Then, I found myself as a returning guest on KTLA TV—not once, but nine times. And walking the red carpet in LA? That was a surreal moment where I fully embraced how far I’d come.
Here’s the lesson: Jump in before you feel ready. The magic happens when you do things outside your comfort zone.
5. Share the Experience
Everything is more meaningful when you share it. Whether it’s a solo adventure or a group experience, telling others about it makes it real.
- Post about it on social media
- Invite a friend to join you
- Keep a bucket list journal to document your adventures
Sharing your journey inspires others to do the same—and that ripple effect is powerful.
The Ripple Effect of Living Your Dreams
Once you start actively completing bucket list items, something amazing happens:
- You become more confident.
- You start saying “YES” to life more often.
- You inspire others to follow their own dreams.
And the best part?
The more you do, the more you realize that there’s no limit to what’s possible. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start checking off your bucket list, this is it. Whether it’s a photoshoot, a trip, a new skill, or something completely unexpected, just start. You’ll never regret the things you do, only the things you don’t.
So, what’s the first item on your list? Whatever it is—go make it happen. You can find me at the Poker Table next!
Get Dr. Cali Estes’s Book
Well, you know it ends. The question is, how did we get here? The saying goes, ‘There are only 3 ways out of addiction: death, institutions, and jail.’ Tim managed all of them in one lifetime.
This book is the raw, uncut truth behind what happened that led to his death. Multiple overdoses, car crashes, hit-and-runs, police arrests, and even SWAT were no match for his addiction. If that doesn’t shock you, what happened AFTER he died will.
Authors Note:
Ready to learn more about how to create abundance, wealth, and happiness? Our UnPause your Life Knowledge Nuggets are easily digestible bites of wisdom to help you achieve your goals of wealth, abundance, and happiness. Define you, not break you, as you step into the new year.
- Connect with Dr. Cali Estes
- Read more articles from our VIP Executive Contributor, Dr. Cali Estes