I first heard about a reverse bucket list at Notes From Joana. The idea intrigued me because it allowed for reflection and further goal setting. I’ve never actually made a bucket list and I’m not sure why. I guess I don’t have many large, must-do goals. With that said, I was able to do some things I’ve always wanted to do last year and I’m very proud of them. Sometimes, remembering the good things that happened can set a positive outlook for the future.
Reverse Bucket List 2017
- lived in Africa
- got my learner’s permit
- moved to Asia
- started Amaris Elizabeth
- started learning Mandarin
- applied to and got accepted into multiple colleges
I didn’t move to Africa last year, but for the first two months of 2017 I was living in Freetown, Sierra Leone. That experience was a real eye-opener for me and it just made me appreciate where I come from even more. Also, I know getting a learner’s permit isn’t a huge accomplishment but I did it before my brother did and that’s all that matters to me. Right before school started my family moved to Seoul, which checked off my goal of living in Asia and brought me one step closer to have lived on all, habitable, continents. I’ve been writing a blog series about my experience living here and, if you haven’t already, I recommend you check it out.
Recommended: Seoul Food Series
Although starting Amaris Elizabeth wasn’t exactly my goal, starting a blog was. I like writing, a lot, and I like the idea of sharing knowledge and experience with other people; blogging combines these two in such a fun way. My domain name was actually my birthday gift from my brother who is also the guy behind many of the pictures I use on the blog (thanks bro).
The big accomplishments
So far my reverse bucket list items have been things that I indirectly achieved (moving to Africa and Asia) or small accomplishments ( learner’s permit and blog). Learning Mandarin, however, is something I have always wanted to do and would have put on a regular bucket list if I ever made one. I can’t remember when and how I decided I wanted to learn Mandarin, but to have actually started is huge. My vocabulary consists of phrases like ‘I love chocolate’ and ‘panda’, but it’s a start.
Finally, I applied Early Decision to three universities that I am interested in and got accepted to all of them! That was a huge weight off my shoulders because I had/have an irrational fear that I won’t be smart enough for college. The letters came in before Christmas and I couldn’t have asked for a better gift than peace of mind of my academic future.
As mentioned before, last year actually started off in Africa for me. My family and I were living there for a brief period from November to February and our holiday season was nothing special. This year my mom mentioned how much she enjoyed it because all we had was each other and I must agree. So with all the items on my list, my greatest achievement last year was growing closer to my family.
Remembering the small things
Some events that took place last year are too small to highlight with words but pictures do almost the same thing, don’t you think? I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a great photographer and that my brother graciously lends me some of his photos, so be sure to check the credits down below for a link to his work.
If you’ve made it to the bottom of this post, thank you. As you go on to reflect on 2017 and all you accomplished I leave you with this quote:
” For what it’s worth… it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you’ve never felt before. I hope you meet people who have a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start over again. ” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
