Before my heart went more wobbly than usual Spring 2019, I always thought bucket lists were a good thing and one day I'd make one up and start ticking things off, you know, before I passed on.
Then my heart got more stupid than usual and now when I see bucket list articles, especially on non-health related pages, I tend to look away rather quickly and say 'Not for me, I'm not planning on going anywhere anytime soon!'.
I've just seen another bucket list article and again I turned away as fast as possible.
How does everyone else feel about bucket lists?
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Sunnie2day
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Top of my list is too visit Machu pichu. The place has fascinated me since I was a small boy.
Per my OP, I don't have a bucket list - this past year the thought of having one says to me I'm trying to do things before I die and I have NO intention of dying no matter how stoopid my heart gets.
I do have a few things I want to do in 2020 - the biggest being bagging at least two more Munros and finishing my craft-works-in-progress. (big woo, I know )
Planning An Teallach and some bits of Assynt for early July. I think of new things I want to do all the time, so my bucket needs to be infinitely big. That being the case it'll never be complete, and dying before it's done is just 'life' and nothing to do with my heart.
I had wanted to visit Macchu Pichu for many years, saved up just enough money but the the boiler went & I had to spend it on a new boiler. Then saved up again & went there 10 years ago. It was amazing but unfortunately I had altitude sickness which caused breathlessness, nosebleeds & headaches. Also flew over the Nasca Lines in a 4 seater plane.
A few years later I went to Easter Island, which had been my bucket list for 60 years (I'd never found anyone who wanted to go with me so I joined a group). Now the only thing I want to do is get healthier so I can see my little grandchildren for more years. Clare
Wasn't so much a long term list, more of a short term one for what I needed to do as a priority. Currently very happy with the progress, one thing I've always wanted to see is the Northern Lights, am looking at options for that
Have you thought about those excursions to 'the great north' where you can sit comfortably warm inside a glass igloo kind of hotel accommodation?
Also, I think there is a website with live-cam (I'll post you a link if I can find it, I watched last year and it was AMAZING). The site lists dates and best viewing places, surely some of those places have viewing from warm and cosy rooms.
I have been lucky enough to see the Northern Lights several times, but my best view was in Finland in September. Autumn in Finland is not really cold, the skies are often clear and there's a lot of auroral activity.
My husband bless him doesn't ask for anything but would love to see the northern lights. He knows how bad I am with the cold in Yorkshire so wont even let me think about going. Cant even book it as a surprise as he would make me cancel it x
Hi, i have the same problem. Can't go anywhere cold or hot because both trigger angina attacks. When I go out in cold weather I wear a loose weave "holey" scarf over my mouth & put my hand over it & breathe thru that. Also have a spray of GTN before going out if it's icy weather.
You could see videos of northern lights cruises etc on YouTube & spend your money on something else?? Clare
Every three or four years we get a little bit of the lights here in NE Scotland (more 'central' but still called NE) - but it's a bit of a damp squib when it's just green sky. The ones further north are usually full spectrum and generally agreed to be breathtaking. I'd like to see full spectrum myself, now that is definitely worthy of inclusion on a bucket list - if I had one!
My husband climbed Helvellyn a long time ago with an EF of 8%. We didn't go by striding edge! We walked 10 small steps, stopped and counted 10, all the way and had many breaks. It was shattering but he got there. He has huge determination. We only told his cardiologists afterwards.
(I'm just amending this to say it's not something I'm recommending doing!)
I want to go up by Striding edge and back down on Swirral edge.
I could only manage Haystacks because the weather was very warm and it was a long summer day. It took me 10 hours. The view and feeling of just being up in the hills again was fantastic.
Try starting small and gradually build up more confidence and stamina. Walking as much as is possible for you is really important in heart failure - but you don't have to begin with a mountain!
I'm going to remember to say that to my husband - he loses patience at my need for frequent breaks whilst out hill-walking. I tell him to go on ahead but he says 'What if you collapse and I don't find you until I am on my way back down in a few hours?'. I suppose he has a point but I like the idea of 10 steps then 10 count break, and I love the saying 'It's not a race!'.
I live near the Brecon Beacons, so have no excuse. As you say, 10 steps then a rest!! I am told there are 3 routes up Pen y Fan and one is easier than the other two!!
Our bucket list has always been quite modest! Afternoon tea on the British pullman ✅ a night on the caledonian sleeper ✅ afternoon tea on a luxury yacht in London to be booked, hopefully in May. Visit the Scilly Isles, live on a narrow boat. Any other suggestions always welcomed. 😂
Ah, but if circumstances were different I'd want to live on one. Was very very tempted last year to just sell up & do it, but then reality crept in! Maybe I'll do the 2 weeks 😂
Been on a narrowboat a number of times, in the UK, Ireland and France. Lovely in the nice warm sunny weather - in the cooler months - full of condensation, everything feels damp, and when it rains the noise is unbearable
We used to own a river boat, had to give it up when Kevin became poorly. Nothing better than being out on the river on a sunny but crisp December day. The condensation in my conservatory is far worse, I'd happily give that up.
I didn;t know it was called a bucket list but made a sort of list when I was 20, after a series of pretty traumatic events, and did all the things by the time I was middle 50s. I was very lucky to be able to do that but it does take some determination, long term planning and making choices. One thing sticks particularly in my mind was going up Mount Washington aged about 32 and seeing all the retirees making their "trips of a lifetime" and being unable to do certain things because of health issues - was determined never to miss out on traveling and experiencesbecause of being sick. A bucket list now would really depress me - I know my time is limited but it would be very stressful to have pressures to complete things and I don't respond well to stress!
Thank-you, that is exactly how I feel about bucket lists. I've been privileged and was able to do a great many 'bucket list' type things whilst 'young and fit' and until my heart went stoopid wobbly last spring I had a half-formed mental bucket list of things I thought I 'might do one day'.
But now? Too depressing actually might be an understatement for how I feel, I think my feeling now borders on superstitious!
Most bucket lists are just cliched, first world indulgences; like seeing the Taj Mahal or swimming with dolphins.
Are things like this really evidence of a life well lived? If so is the corollary also true, that anyone who fails to swim with dolphins has had a less worthwhile existence?
I'd have more time for bucket lists if instead of "visit Disneyland", they were built around objectives like "learn Mandarin", or "be kinder".
As long as it doesn't hurt anyone then we're all free to spend our time and money any way we want. We don't need to sanctify our choices by putting them on a bucket list. If you want to go to Disneyland then just go, there's no need for all the corny dramatics of a bucket list, with the implication that, by being listed, it's somehow a spiritual journey of self discovery rather than just another holiday.
You have a different take on bucket lists than I do. Ordinarily I don't see them as pretentious so much as a list of dreams that may or may not be fulfilled before the list-maker, er, runs out of time.
Reading and re-reading your comment, though, reminds me there are celebrity bucket lists that go way over the top - and people who follow celebs do have similar lists to their fav celeb.
Not for me but I tell myself it takes all kinds to make the world go 'round.
When I first became ill over 7 years ago I could hardly exercise. I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without getting chest pain later.
My choices about what I could do seriously restricted they still are.
I never thought I would ever be able to walk up a hill again.
To be able to walk 8 miles, 1500ft of ascent was a very special achievement for me.
I was in bed next day as it meant I had alot of angina as a result.
My Cardiologist was delighted to see the picture I showed him of me standing on top of Haystacks. Not many of his patients with my condition have been able to achieve this.
I also took a calculated risk. If it all went pear shaped I would have needed to call out the Mountain rescue team.
Those of us with long term health conditions whose horizons are narrowed need to be able to have hope and that is what a ' bucket list' represents for some people.
I call them making memories rather than bucket lists. But whatever we call them it's something to aim for & hopefully achieve whether that be climbing Everest or going to Disneyland. Sometimes we need our wildest dreams to keep us going. For some people going to Disneyland would be beyond their wildest dreams but it gives them something to hope for.
A friend of mine doesn't call it a bucket list she just changed the first letter to what she calls her *ucket list, as she says she doesn't care anymore !!
I think Bucket lists are just the same as having Children, Better to do it whilst your Young.
I suppose I have been lucky being in a job that allowed me/us to travel and live all over the World, and being paid very handsomely for it !! ( Hard Work though )
Think I would say when we moved from the North of Scotland down to the Bournemouth area we completed what we had left to do.
Except I would still like to do the same trip as Race across the World overland to Singapore, but my other half has said you can do it but your on your own, I will meet you in the street café on Buckit Timah Road as we used to live in Singapore for almost 2 years Oh and she says she will use Singapore Airlines to get there.
I lived in Singapore too, 1990 till 1993. Loved it there, in between 2 x 7 years stints in Hong Kong. Now I've been back in UK 19 years, though I visited Asia during those years I can no longer fly long distances nor go to hot places. Boo hoo!
In 1997 I was working in China in Guanxi Provence (Laibin) so on the weekends we used to catch the fast ferry down to HK. Or we would fly from Guilin to HK for the weekend.
Great Shopping my wife always used to find it to busy though, and it was uncomfortable when the Typhoon Flags got raised.
It was much nicer going as tourist to HK than living there full time... Poisonous spiders & ants, pythons & banded kraits in the driveway, termites coming up thru the floorboards, the building shaking in typhoons etc.
I have been very fortunate and have ticked so many boxes on my things to do list but before my heart problems I had booked a trip to Moscow and St Petersburg which I had to cancel. That was two years ago and I still don't have the confidence to be able to book it as I am due more surgery iminently. The company that I booked through regularly send me brochures and I know that one day I will get there which gives me a reason to keep on fighting!
Thank-you for your reply You're quite close to how I feel (just getting on with living life) but it is interesting to me to see the number and content of the replies on this discussion.
Having a heart condition (or any other long-term potentially life-threatening condition) brings thoughts of bucket listing and will making and other 'in case of' considerations to the forefront OR shoved firmly to the 'back of' one's mind and I was quite curious to see how other hearties feel about bucket lists.
I’ve been living my ‘bucket list’ for the last 19 years. Ever since I turned 49 (the age my dad was when he died). I’ve been expecting the heart attack since then. I’ve had a great time but I think I’ll take it easy for a while. I don’t see the need to travel so much now.
Don't give up spinningjenny, I never thought I would get to hold my first grandchild, but my dream came true two years ago when the little man came into our lives.it has given me a reason to live . There are some days I think I haven't got long as I feel so dreadful but, Tuesdays he comes to us at 7am until 5-30 pm by the end of the day my husband and i are exhausted ! It takes me a couple of days to recover but i wouldnt miss it for the world, he gives me a reason to live! My son and daughter in law were late starters both 40, we never thought it would happen. My othrr sons are38 and 30 and neither of them want children so we are very very lucky. I do hope you dream comes true. Xx
When two of my friends got seriously ill they started writing their bucket lists... (one was the *uckit list) and I wrote a "50 things to do before I'm 50" list!
Just under 3 years to go and if I am gonna fulfil it I need win lottery!
My list was more dream trips with a few adventurous things in mix... some of those curtailed by heart failure!
I have done 14 including fly a plane, drive a Ferrari, abseil off Forth Rail Bridge, get a tattoo and Waltz with Brendan Cole (huge Strictly fan).
One of my biggest dreams will never happen as although I intend finally getting to Australia soon you can no longer climb Uluru!
I now see it as just a fantasy wish list and will continue to try do as many as I can when well/financially able.
Anyone think they'll let me jump out a plane? My heart failure is mild now and I feel fine... honest!
Nope. Never had one I have lived my life day to day. Never had plans for anything can’t be doing with them or lists. Holidays then if I have the urge I just book and go within a couple of days, always have.
The Only motto I have is 'We are all Dying, just Not Today'. Having a bucket list or just living life is entirely an individual choice. All i can say is nobody can achieve everything they would like to do, but as always there is is always someone out there that will say ' Maybe not, But I will give it a Damn Good Try ' haha.😁Travel some more is on my bucket list far/wide... Also People are more important than things.
No bucket list just one dream; to sail on the Hurtigruten up the coast of Norway and meet my friend who lives in Kirkenes; that final port of call but in a wheelchair now I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be possible. A trip to Oslo in a wheelchair was an absolute nightmare a few years ago. I'm learning the language and can almost say Jeg snakker Norsk- well lenough to be polite in a shop and I have a Norwegian breed of dog. Just need to work out how to do the trip on my own.
I am not doing a bucket list as such, but a 60 for 60 list. This is a looking back on things I will have accomplished this coming year. It will include travel as well as any opportunity that presents itself (currently unforeseen). The past 60 years have passed by with big things being remembered, but other stuff forgotten or when and where lost in the mist of bad memory. Not so the future. Each year from now on I will list things that I have done, learned, experienced, achieved, or brought me joy. Looking forward to the excitement of each day and hoping that by the end of each year from now on I will have at least my age in things to list. Do not fear planning as the list can always be added to indefinitely.
I save my cakes and biscuit money then scour the walking holidays brochures. Round about now the discount holidays start coming up, (it's a bit early for last minute offers) and look for destinations that offer free bus passes, free lift passes, complimentary packed lunches and flights from my local airport. I usually wind up in Austria.
Six years ago I had valve replacements and a little bell went off . 'you are 69 it said, if you are going to do it, you had best get fitter and do it soon'. Last Thursday I was up the local hospital having an implantible loop recorder fitted while scouring the holiday magazines.
Next month I will be walking in Cyprus for my 75th birthday and hopefully it will be warmer( possibly wetter) and will offer easy walking during the day / ballroom dancing in the evening. Probably warmer than the UK, but not certainly. Very much a last minute , when it is gone, its gone offer..
For the summer I have my eye on a particular hotel in the Austrian Tirol, In a valley where they offer free bus passes and free lifts passes for their 4 lifts.
You realise why they are free when you walk out at the top and find yourself in magnificent mountain 'huts' that serve up drinks and cakes and Rostii's (thick cheese and potato pancakes) followed by meringues, or ice creams or apple strudel or imperial torte (6 delicate layers - coco, marzipan, almonds, chocolate, coffee and orange) or shiny chocolate sacher torte (9 eggs, butter, chocolate, etc). All washed down by whatever you want while you admire the snow covered mountain tops.
LOL - I avoid Austria as the patisseries are my nemesis, every last one! I genuinely cannot even think about Vienna (oh my those strudels, the cakes, the...) without gaining five pounds. sigh
I thought that as well - many people have more, er, self-centred items on their bucket lists. I don't count health improving items on a bucket list as being self-centred btw.
They probably need it in their freezing weather,
a lot colder than Northern England.
Some enjoyment to cope with the bad weather.
Vienna used to be at the top of highest suicide rate.
All these wonderful cakes, beautifully presented. I can look but I can't touch, I have a wheat intolerance and buttermilk doesn't do me any favours either. Austrian cuisine is very much based on dairy products, cheese and meat, so care is required All part of life's rich pattern.
I was in Zermatt last summer, having a look at the Matterhorn on a lovely clear day. funinculars are wonderful things, especially when drilled into the side of a mountain, Tremendous views from a café at 8.000 feet. The air was a bit thin, but I was taking it easy so no worse than being on a commercial aircraft.
I was on a day trip from Stressa (lake Maggiore). The trip out was full of Italian jokes. On passing a police car with three policemen : "Ah yes , one to read, one to write, and a sergeant to keep an eye on the two intellectuals", etc..
On coming down from Zermatt we a boarded the bus to return. Suddenly, with a screaming of sirens, a police car, followed by a fire engine, an ambulance with a doctor, and a helicopter arrived. One of our day trippers had collapsed on the station platform and nothing could be done for him. We departed and drove off onto the night. A strange day.
Since I started having health issues I thought about a bucket list, but found I don’t really need one
I reduced my working days from 5 to 4 and my wife works same hours and days so we reduced cars to one and now spend more time doing things together. The extra day off allows me to decompress and still be able to have a weekend.
This is enough for me, yes it’s nice to dream of far away places but really all I need is to spend as much time as I can with my family and friends, particularly my wife of 28 years who has been and still is so supportive of me.
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I think of new things I want to do all the time, so my bucket needs to be infinitely big. That being the case it'll never be complete, and dying before it's done is just 'life' and nothing to do with my heart. 
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