Hitting rewind and reconnecting with your best self

Reverse bucket list

I looked up the most common things people put on their bucket lists. Turns out, we’re not as unique as we think.

Whether it’s owning a home, traveling to exotic places, running a marathon, skydiving, starting a business, falling in love, becoming debt-free, or achieving financial freedom—our lists tend to look alike.

There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big. But sometimes, our list just keeps growing—from one milestone to the next, from one “not-yet” to another. So much so that we start measuring our worth by what we haven’t done.

But what about everything you have done?

What about the things your younger self could only dream of?

In tough moments, we tend to forget the bold moves, quiet wins, and inner shifts we’ve already made. So today, let’s hit pause and take stock—not of what’s next, but of what’s already true.

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🧭 Step 1: Remember what you've already done

List 4 things your past self would be proud of.

Think…

• Firsts you’ve experienced (first solo trip, first apartment, first time saying no to someone who drained you)

• Challenges you’ve overcome (a breakup, a job loss, a health scare)

• Skills you’ve picked up (cooking, driving, coding, speaking up)

• Relationships you’ve nurtured (with others, or with yourself)

• Inner shifts you’ve made (less self-doubt, more self-trust)

Write them down. After each one, pause. Let it sink in. Let yourself feel how far you’ve come.

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🌱 Step 2: Ask what made each one meaningful

What made that moment powerful? Was it…

• Doing something even though you were scared?

• Choosing yourself over comfort?

• Showing up with love, even when it was hard?

• Letting someone in when you felt vulnerable?

Add this second layer of reflection. That’s where the magic lies.

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🔍 Step 3: Find the themes

Look at your list. What themes show up?

Courage. Growth. Connection. Integrity. Generosity. Joy. Resilience.

These themes have brought meaning to your past. They can guide your future, too.

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📝 Example

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Reconnecting with what matters

Reflecting on past achievements isn’t self-indulgent. It’s fuel.

It reminds you of who you are and what you’re capable of. If you could do that, you can face whatever comes next.

Maybe you don’t need a bigger paycheck to feel worthy. Maybe you need to call that friend you’ve been thinking about. Or take one step toward a project you actually care about.

You don’t need a five-year plan. No long bucket lists. Just one small act that honors your truth.

🎯 Ask: What’s one small way I can reconnect with one of the themes that fueled me in the past?

Sometimes, the clarity we’re looking for doesn’t come from adding new goals. It comes from reconnecting with what already matters.

Until next time 🙌