Why you should write a love letter to the life you’ve lived so far

We’re so often chasing what’s next; our eyes on distant dreams, hearts full of somedays. The world tells us to keep moving, keep wanting, keep ticking off goals like life is a checklist. But what if, just for a moment, you stopped looking forward and turned around?

What if you paused to see the road you’ve already travelled? The winding paths, the detours, and the unexpected joys. What if, instead of wondering what’s left to do, you celebrated all the things you’ve already done?

That’s the beauty of a reverse bucket list. It’s a love letter to the life you’ve lived so far.

We forget how much life we’ve packed into our days. How many sunrises we’ve caught without trying, how many belly-aching laughs we’ve had with our best friends. We think adventure is out there, somewhere far away… but if you look closely, you’ll see just how big of an adventure your life’s already been.

The summer night you stayed out too late, laughing until your cheeks hurt.

The road trip with the windows down, singing off-key with people who felt like home.

The swim that left you shivering and grinning, wrapped in a towel that smelled like sunshine.

The coffee that tasted better because of the conversation across the table.

The lazy beach days where time didn’t matter and your hair was a mess of salt and wind.

The picnic where the food didn’t last long, but the stories never seemed to end.
The wrong turn that became the best part of the trip.

The dinner that turned into drinks, that turned into stargazing, that turned into let’s never forget this night.

Your life isn’t waiting to begin. It’s already unfolding in the memories tucked away in forgotten corners of your mind.
 
How to create a reverse bucket list 

So, how do you create a reverse bucket list? It’s pretty simple, really. Sit down with a cup of tea. Or lie under the sky, and let your mind wander. Start pulling on threads of memory – the little ones, the big ones, the ones that rush back out of nowhere.

Think of the places you’ve seen (even if it was just the beach down the road that looked magical at sunset).
The times you were braver than you realised.
The mistakes that turned into lessons.
The moments when you felt alive… truly, fully alive.

Write them down. Let the list grow. You’ll be amazed at how much beauty you’ve gathered so far. 

The best part? No one’s judging your list. It’s yours. Maybe it’s climbing an actual mountain – or maybe it’s the time you nailed your friend’s chocolate orange birthday cake. It all counts. It’s all part of your patchwork life.

There’s nothing wrong with dreaming forward. But don’t forget to honour the life you’ve lived.

Your life is already full of magic. Sometimes, you just need to turn around and see it.

And maybe, just maybe, the best stories are the ones you didn’t plan for at all.

Love,
Nakie HQ