This story originally appeared on the Gents Cafe Newsletter. You can subscribe here.
I love looking forward to something, and I feel very lucky to be able to (almost) have something to be anticipated; be it a meal with friends on the weekend, that bottle of wine I have in the cellar, or that big trip we are planning next year.
I don’t know if it’s a product of the last 2-3 years with Covid, the current situation in Europe, or simply that date on my birth certificate, but I am increasingly feeling the urge to fill up on the experience barometer. I am constantly searching for places to go, places to see, places to eat, places to drive and explore, books to read, and maybe living in Italy at some point in my life; my bucket list is taking shape.
During our trip to Italy this summer, we drove through the Dolomites – a beautiful drive, that I would recommend to everyone – petrol-head or not; this will undoubtedly resonate with almost anyone! We ate lunch at a small Gasthaus, in their courtyard with an amazing view over the mountains from where we came, and to where we were going next. Into the parking lot sweeps a pitch-black Porsche 964 and I am immediately hit by a “That’s another bullet point on my bucket list”-kinda moment.
I love traveling, eating, drinking, experiencing – and when going over my bucket list (and I bet if you go over your own as well) almost every point contains experiences over possessions – and why is that? Studies have shown, that spending our hard-earned money on traveling and experiences makes us happier beings. They bring us more lasting joy, often because they are shared.
Should you make a bucket list? I would absolutely say so. There is no right or wrong way to do it. It’s deeply personal, it mirrors the person who is writing it, their wishes, their personality. It makes you reflect and take a deep dive into yourself, which I think is important to do occasionally. Having goals and milestones to look forward to is in my opinion what makes life worth living.
“We only live once, Snoopy” Charlie Brown says, to which Snoopy replies “Wrong! We only die once. We live everyday”. Make the drive worthwhile, open the bottle of Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque on a Wednesday, enjoy the sunset on the beach, and sleep under the stars.
And probably the most important part – make sure to share your endeavors and your bucket list with friends and family!
Make the best of it before you “kick the bucket”.
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