Why This Post & Why Now?
As Bucket List Bel approaches its second year, I’ve been doing some deep reflection about the business that accidentally became a a full-time emotional rollercoaster. Running a travel business has had its fair share of wins, sure, but also a few existential crises sprinkled in for flavour. As for social media, it is somewhere that I get outdated memes from and where I watch videos of cute farm animals. Social media and I don't gel. Glamour and I are not synonymous. "Aspirational" and Belinda in the same sentence is laughable.
Somewhere along the way, the thing I love most—travel—started to feel like work. Not in the sexy “I'm on a yacht taking calls in Santorini” kind of way, but in the “why does everything take ten hours and my will to live?” kind of way. I was a ball of pent-up anxiety.
Then came Italy. A trip in August that quite literally reset everything. I remembered what it feels like to get lost, to eat gelato at inappropriate times of day, to feel alive in the kind of way you can’t stage for Instagram. And just like that, I knew I had to change the focus. The travel business was the cherry on top. The cake, the GOOD stuff was the travel. I felt the pull to come back to this blog and utilise it to its potential. It's a long-running chronicle of my own adventures—the good, the bad, and the sunburnt. No Instagram beauty filters, no sugarcoating. Just real experiences from the road. It is a place where I can take off the “business hat” and just be Bel, the ever-curious traveller with a bucket list a mile long.
This post is me, trying to reconcile the two. It’s not about selling holidays—it’s about sharing the kind of travel that moves you, challenges you, and reminds you why you fell in love with the world in the first place. This post also explains why I chose Bucket List Bel as a name for my travel business!
There’s something about the phrase bucket list that makes the end seem closer than it should. But for me, it’s not about a countdown. It’s about momentum. It’s about choosing experiences that make your heart beat louder and your soul feel a bit braver.
We all have those dreams that sit quietly in the corners of our minds—things we say we’ll do “one day,” when time, money, and life magically align. But here’s the thing: one day isn’t a date. You have to pencil it in. You have to plan it.
So, I’m doing just that. And I want you to come along as I chase down the big, bold dreams on my own bucket list.
For those who know me personally, you might be thinking who the heck just wrote all that?! You may laugh at me momentarily at my attempt to sound like a motivational speaker when you see me in person, then give me a pat on the back for this excellent piece of English writing! Following that, you may rejoice in the fact the quality of future posts should increase exponentially in quality!
For those still reading this very long pre-amble, thank you for your persistence! So without further ado...
The Big Ones I’m Chasing
Petra, Jordan – The Rose-Red City Half as Old as Time
Moroccan Desert Adventure – Dunes, Drums, and Starry Skies
There’s something about the silence of the Sahara, camel trekking at sunset, and awkwardly trying to keep a headscarf on in the wind that calls to me (my head scarf game is lacking -see my posts in Turkey for evidence). Bring on the mint tea anxiety (I don't like mint but I wouldn't want to offend my hosts) and mild sand-related identity crisis.
Overwater Bungalow in the Maldives – Turquoise Dreams and Barefoot Luxury
Antarctica – The Last, Icy Frontier
This is the big one: the final continent. The last frontier. Icebergs, penguins, and the kind of cold that would make my balls freeze if I was the lesser sex. Let’s go.
My Bucket List in Motion
Trekking to See Gorillas in Rwanda
Wellness Retreat in Nepal
After the wild comes the stillness. In the shadow of the Himalayas, I’ll be unwinding, realigning, and probably regretting every downward dog—but in the best way. Think ancient wisdom, mountain air, and reconnecting with self after chasing the world. And surely all moments here would be Instagram-able?
Cruising the Galápagos Islands
Yes, I’m technically tagging along on my husband’s conference, but hey—it counts! Unique wildlife, lava-sculpted islands, and snorkeling with sea lions? It’s a Darwin-worthy dream that’s been orbiting my bucket list for years. Who doesn't want to see blue-footed boobies?
So…What’s on Your Bucket List?
Here are a few tips to help you build your dream-worthy bucket list:
Dream big, then dream weird. Not everything has to be Insta-worthy. Want to attend a garlic festival in Transylvania? Add it.
Think about how you want to feel, not just where you want to go.
Write it down. Bucket lists are more fun (and real) when they live somewhere outside your head.
Start small. Not every item has to be Antarctica-level epic. A weekend road trip counts. So does taking yourself out for sushi.
- Break It Down: At some stage you need to figure out what’s needed to make it real—time, budget, logistics, courage.
So whether you're a fellow wanderer, an armchair adventurer, or someone still scribbling their own list, come along. I’m so glad you’re still reading! Let's see where this journey goes, shall we?
Now your turn: What’s at the top of your list? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear!
Here’s to chasing bold dreams and collecting stories worth retelling. The bucket list is not just alive—it’s kicking.
