Regardless if you call it a bucket list or a to-do list, we all want to keep track of the things we want to do and see at some point in our lives – be it attending a colour fun festival or seeing Mount Fuji in person. Yet, not all worthwhile dreams and pursuits need to be far from home. While international trips are extremely fun, there’s also a lot to be said for touring your own city. If you’re still unconvinced, here are some reasons why having a local bucket list can be a good idea.
1. It Encourages You to Be Adventurous
It’s quite easy to say, “I’ll visit that soon,” if you live near a particular tourist spot, but this kind of mind-set is what actually causes you to never visit that particular sight. If you have a local bucket list, however, you’ll be required to get out and tour your own city – even if you are living in the place indefinitely. If you decide to move out eventually, that list will help you savour your last days in the city instead of forcing to visit the places you’ve put off in the last minute.
2. It Helps in Keeping Things Fresh
Most of us tend to fall into the habit of frequenting a particular coffee shop or restaurant, thus neglecting other potentially great places in the area. While it’s completely okay to support your favourite local shops in Singapore, you should also consider dining or visiting a new place each month. If you drink coffee on a daily basis, visit a new café once a week; if you tend to treat yourself less often, simply adjust your plan according to your schedule.
3. It Prompts You to Be Grateful
The world is a big and beautiful place, and enjoying a culture that’s nothing like your own will certainly be an invaluable experience. However, we often spend a lot of time dreaming about our next destination that we forget to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Creating a local bucket list is one way of correcting that and practising gratitude for all the great things that we have even without boarding a plane.
4. It Trains You to Be an Excellent Host
Creating (and completing) a local bucket list provides you with amazing ideas of the things to do when your family and friends visit you. While it’s fun to show your local favourites to your visitors, you can also use them as an excuse to try out something new. Also, if someone visits you quite often, then he or she would surely want to experience a little novelty every now and then.
Having a local bucket list is one of the best ways to discover new things about the place you’re living in, as well as to appreciate your own culture. So be sure to create and complete one before you start travelling internationally.