An Itch list is a great way to prioritize the things you want to do before you kick the bucket. These are things you’re just “itching” to do and haven’t yet for one reason or another, but there’s no reason to wait to get started – after all, any one of us could be six feet under at any point in time and never know it was coming! To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of the best itches we think you should scratch:
Travel to a Place You’ve Never Been but Always Wanted to Visit
Is there a foreign country, remote location or hard-to-get-to destination you’ve only ever dreamed of seeing in person? Perhaps it’s a European tour, a safari or tour of remote islands in the Mediterranean you’ve been thinking about. Call your travel agent and inquire about installation plans on larger tours and trips that may be available if you’re concerned about cost. This way you’re contributing a little bit regularly over time and can reach your goal faster!
At Least One Thrillseeker Activity
Most people have a “thrillseeker” activity on their itch list, and this implies that some type of life and death risk is involved. Examples of these types of activities include:
- Skydiving
- Bungee jumping
- Deep sea diving
- Swimming with sharks
- Encounters with wild animals
Some of these may require schooling beforehand, such as the deep sea diving. You may need to find a local scuba class to ready yourself, so plan ahead. Perhaps taking the class now to prepare for the actual dive later will keep you on the road to checking one off the list.
Also, consider that these may require you to be of a certain level of physical fitness, so don’t wait too long to get them done. There are itch list things that can be checked off at almost any age, but skydiving or bungee jumping probably shouldn’t be – so keep that in mind when you’re planning when to do some of these things.
A Purchase You’ve Always Dreamed Of
Perhaps you have a dream car, recreational vehicle or even a vacation home you’d love to buy before kicking the bucket. Putting a savings plan in place well ahead of time will help you get there sooner and enjoy it longer. Cut out photos of your dream purchase and place it on the fridge or somewhere else you’ll always see it, and revisit your savings plan on a yearly basis to review your progress.
Experiences
Some people like to include specific experiences on their itch list. For example:
- Participating in a drum circle on the beach at sunset
- Running a marathon
- Competing in a sport or hobby you love
- Swimming with dolphins
- Watching sea turtles hatch on the coast
- Hiking the Grand Canyon
- Going on a mission trip
- Writing a book
- Attending a mass/church service in another country
As you can see, these experiences can vary widely as far as the risk involved, investment and at what life stages they may be appropriate.
People
Many folks like to think of itch list items to include that involve the people they love or most respect. Perhaps there is a person you’ve always looked up to whom you’d love to meet? Or, maybe you really want to reconnect with an old roommate or rekindle a relationship with a friend that became strained at some point. Think about who you’d really like to spend some quality time with to make you feel like you’ve lived your best life and then determine what type of time that needs to be to be successful for you.
Learning a Skill
Another popular itch list item is learning a skill or hobby you’ve always wanted to do but just never made or had the time before. Examples include:
- Learning to play chess
- Taking a dance class
- Learning how to knit
- Taking the guitar or other music lessons
Making your ultimate itch list is never going to look the same as someone else’s, and it will quite possible change over time. Don’t be afraid to alter your list as your interests change and you find more time to check more off the list. These are things that are perfect for big celebrations in life – such as a big birthday or anniversary – and as you go through them, you’ll love the sense of accomplishment and thrill you find in experiencing these things you formerly only dreamed of!