I shared my bucket list with a few of my coworkers and they started throwing out suggestions on how to accomplish some of the items. Most of the items on my list require a large amount of planning.
Item 39 did not take much planning! As a reminder, if you haven’t read my blog “A 30-Year-Old’s Bucket List,” or simply don’t have all 51 items of my list memorized, number 39 is “Ride on a train.”
I did not expect to cross off an item on my bucket list so quickly after my blog post on January 3, 2023. I crossed off number 39 on January 14, 2023!
My coworker mentioned going on a train ride where you travel to a small town, spend a couple hours there, and then travel back. Conveniently, this same coworker received an email that included a promotion code for up to 75% off ticket price and sent it to me. I booked the tickets a few days later.
I’m not really sure what led me to build up so much anticipation for this bucket list item. I created most of the bucket list as I wrote the blog, googling ideas to create a more significant list. I’ve thought about riding a train but never thought about it as something I would be sad about if I never rode one. Maybe it being the first item on the first major list I’ve created made it feel more important somehow. Owning a robot vacuum or taking a pottery class don’t really compare to going on safari or swimming with sharks. Riding on a train is not one of the most exciting items on the list.
Regardless, I pulled out the pink and black checkered hat I’ve been referring to as my “train driver hat,” for 10 years, and hyped myself up for this bucket list item.
When the day came, it seemed to go downhill quickly. Our third companion became unable to join the trip causing my son to cry. The train’s speed exceeded my son’s patience but not my expectations; the thing went much slower than I imagined. The town had a few antiques shops, one noticeable restaurant within walking distance, and a few random other buildings, none of which were very entertaining for a four year old or a 30-year-old, for that matter. My son had a complete melt down when I informed him I had no quarters to get a gumball out of the gumball machine. The train ride back lasted an eternity.
I became so frustrated with the trip not meeting my expectations, I didn’t enjoy it. The reality is, we were in a train cart built over 60 years ago. It was my son’s favorite color. I finally got to cross between two train carts while in motion like I’ve always wanted. I went on an adventure with my son who thanked me with the sweetest, “thank you for going on a train with me, mommy.”
A friend once told me that he had one more continent to check off before he’d been on all of them. That’s an amazing accomplishment. It does make me wonder about the expectations we build for our dreams. We create lists, put pins in locations on maps, and create huge lives for our future selves. What happens when we step foot on all the continents or cross all 51 items off our bucket list? Are we frustrated because our expectations possibly weren’t met or sad because we feel like there’s not much left to do?
I think it’s okay to feel both. Our expectations may often be higher than the reality we experience. We all have different dreams and some may feel they’ve met them all.
I’m still attempting to figure out how to manage my expectations so I can enjoy adventures with my son even if I’m not as excited about each one as I may have hoped. I’ll keep y’all updated as I go along.
Keep Moving Forward is a good place to start. Keep adding items to your bucket list. Keep stepping foot on new ground. Even though life often lets us down, it’s okay to look forward. I also think it’s okay to find peace in the moment. It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to do whatever it is that brings you joy so long as you’re not hurting yourself or others.
I hope to share many more adventures with y’all! 1 item down, 50+ to go!
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We are struggling with so much every day. I am here to be an advocate for mental health and helping others. If you’re struggling with an internal battle, just know, I am here with you! My website/blog and social media page are safe places! Share your dreams and your struggles. Life isn’t easy but you’re doing great!
Ariel Pierce 