How to Tackle Your Bucket List: A Realistic Guide

Sometimes, life’s “to-do’s” can feel like a hefty novel; here’s your roadmap to actually flipping the pages.

Nathan Chen
Small Steps

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Photo by Ted Bryan Yu on Unsplash

Let me tell you a story — more like a cautionary tale, to be honest. We’ve all been there, scrolling through Pinterest or TikTok, stumbling upon that one post, you know the one: a well-curated bucket list. Skydiving in Dubai, learning to cook pasta in Italy, or that classic — taking a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia.

It all seems so easy. I mean, how hard could it be to just pack your bags and live life, right? Wrong. Here’s a reality check for you: that list? It’s often an abstract dream, hanging out in your mental drawer next to “learn fluent French” and “get a six-pack.”

The thing is, adulthood hit you like a freight train. One moment, you’re in your teens or even your 20s, blissfully ignorant, and the next, you’ve got rent, deadlines, relationships, and if you’re anything like me — you’ve got deadlines that even Red Bull can’t help you meet.

But despite these seemingly insurmountable odds, I refuse to give up. Hope, as they say, is a good thing, maybe the best of things.

Be Realistic, Not a Dreamer

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Nathan Chen
Small Steps

I'm Nathan Chen, a queer Asian writer advocating for LGBTQ+ issues, Asian representation, work life & mental health. Let's explore life's complexities together!