Here’s the ultimate bucket list for your 20s! In this article, you will find out how to be successful and have fun.
They say that our 20s are about figuring out who we are and what we want from life. It’s about enjoying life to the fullest while we still can, becoming responsible and working towards a rewarding future.
If you just focus on grinding hard, planning out your future, saving every penny, dedicating every weekend to study and investing all that you have, you may regret not enjoying your freedom while you still could when you’re a bit older with more responsibilities.
Whereas, if you view your 20s as the best years of your life, partying every weekend, spending money here and there, and being reckless then you may regret not setting yourself up for a successful future. That’s where a responsible balance comes in.
This bucket list for your 20s will include both categories.
Bucket List For Your 20s To Be Successful
Bucket list for your 20s: How to be successful
- Set up and save in a lifetime ISA
A bucket list for your 20s must include the lifetime ISA if you live in the UK. If you are a first-time buyer and want to save up for a deposit on your down payment for a mortgage, then considering opening a Lifetime ISA account will be the wisest thing you can do right now. The lifetime ISA helps you save for a down payment for your first home or retirement. The government contributes a 25% bonus on what you put in, up to a set limit every tax year. If you haven’t already check it out! My provider is Moneybox. Please do your further research before making any financial decisions!
2. Opt-in To Your Workplace Retirement Account or Set Up A Private One
Another important thing you can add to your bucket list for your 20s is setting up a retirement account. The earlier we start saving for our retirement, the more we’ll have when we do decide to retire. Professionals recommended to start saving up for your retirement account in your early 20s. Studies show that if you start making small contributions to your retirement account as early as 20 then you will save up far more than a person who starts saving up in their 30s with more contributions.
“Saving for retirement is a long-term process, but starting earlier will give you a significant advantage. You will have more time for compounding to take effect and more money in the long run. Being in your 20s will give you time to grow your savings with compounding interest”. – SmartAsset . Most employers also contribute to whatever you put in which is another bonus.
3. Start Saving In An Emergency Fund Account
Many successful people recommend saving for an emergency fund. An emergency fund account will save you during unexpected financial hardships. For example, if you have an emergency dentist appointment or lose your current job then that emergency money you have saved, will make life so much easier for you and you won’t have to rely on credit cards or loans. Make sure your emergency saving account is easily accessed and make sure to add this one to your bucket list for your 20s!
4. Invest
Investing is the best financial decision you can make. Many successful people became successful due to investing. A famous and great example is Warren Buffet. Savings alone will hardly ever give you the returns a good investment can generate. So, add this to your bucket list for your 20s and start learning about investing and save to invest. Even investing small amounts on a regular basis can compound into a lot of gains in the long run. The S&P 500 index fund or the FTSE 100 in the UK is a great way to start. Please do your research before investing!
5. Change Your Mindset About Money
When I finished school and started working, I had no idea how money works or how to make money, all I knew was to go to work and get paid. I didn’t think of making money alternatively because schools don’t teach us about money. I had no idea what investing was and thought starting a business was only for very smart people and of course very risky.
In 2020 I picked up the book Ritch Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. Once I finished reading that book, my mindset about money shifted and that perspective opened my eyes to gathering new insights, opportunities and pathways for different ways of making money.
If you want to be successful, you must change your mindset about money. There are so many things you can learn to think differently about. I strongly suggest putting this one on your bucket list for your 20s and picking up financial books.
6. Learn About Creating Wealth
I guess this one is obvious, if you want to become successful you must learn what successful people do. Learn about their habits and financial patterns. Click here to find out what successful people’s habits are.
You may also want to learn about investing, business or accounting. This is when you can learn skills that will create wealth for you—perhaps learning about how to create passive income. I recommend starting out with financial books.
7. Try Out Various Side Hustles
To become successful we all recognise that we must have various streams of income. Most successful people do. This one I admittedly struggle with. There are so many people on the internet trying to sell to us their side hustle ideas and bragging about how it will make us the same amazing returns they have made. Most of the time, it’s a waste of time. On the other hand, when we want to start something of our own we quickly realise how saturated the market is and how we will struggle against the competition.
As we’re young, we have time to try and fail. So although many will probably fail, one might be successful. I guess it’s worth trying. We learn from trial and error. I recommend not to go just for any side hustle out there, choose the ones that are close to your skill sets and interests because it will get hard! If you work on something you love, you’re more likely to follow through with it when times get rough.
8. Create Passive Incomes
Again, we all recognise that being stable means having various different streams of income. Now, this does not mean you have to have multiple businesses or jobs. It just means one side hustle or business can generate money for you in different ways. For example, if you have a photography business and have a website online, you can make money through photoshoots, selling your pictures online, social media if you create ‘photography tips’ videos, commissions, displaying other people’s ads on your website etc. You get the idea. So for your next bucket list for your 20s try to find out how to create more income from what you do.
9. Find A Financial Mentor
Sometimes we need a mentor to teach us how to create financial wealth. Many people who have had financial mentors recognise them to be an important factor in their wealth building. They can be our accountability partners, push us to be self-disciplined and open our eyes to different financial perspectives. Choosing an already successful person to be our financial mentor would be wise.
10. Be Wise With How You Manage Your Money
I believe this one may be the most important step you can do. Money works in the compound effect and it can either work for you or against you. Therefore, be careful with how you manage your finances. Make sure of the more important things. Every time you get paid make sure to set aside money for your bills, savings and investments before leaving the rest for your personal things such as shopping and going out. I am also guilty of this but try your hardest not to take money out of your savings account every time you want to buy something or go out. I admit it’s very hard. A little reminder, have an emergency fund savings account!
11. Track Your Finances
Sometimes, we don’t realise where all our money goes. We don’t know how our savings are keeping up or how well or not well our investments are going. To keep a good idea of how you’re doing, keep track of your finances. This will tell you what to keep doing and what to stop. There are numerous apps you can use to help you do this. Do a little research and choose any you like.
12. Create Financial Goals
It’s alright to say, “I want to become financially free in the next 5 years or so”. Or, “I want to make more money”. Then sooner or later, you realise nothing happened. You still earn the same amount as you did. Every goal must be specific if you want to achieve it. So, think about how much you want to earn, what you will do to earn that amount and anything in between. Try to be as specific as possible.
13. Learn New Skills
Acquiring new skills will benefit you in many ways. You can build skillsets that will make you more money. skills such as content writing, digital marketing, sales and software development have been in demand in recent years. Perhaps you could learn a few of these skills to then create a side hustle.
14. Read Personal Development Books
If you want to work your way to success, I strongly suggest you read personal development books. Success is not all finance. It’s about your mindset, habits, emotional intelligence and viewpoints. Personal development will help you become the person of your dreams.
15. Start A Self-Love Journey
To be happy in life you must love yourself. Be happy in your own skin and differences. Confident in who you are. So, Why not start a self-love journey? Read books on self-love and practice what they teach.
16. Network
We become who we surround ourselves with. To become better, surround yourself with like-minded people. Therefore, networking creates good connections. Talk to people that have similar goals and interests. Or, talk to anyone. Be friendly and approachable. You never know who you’ll meet, maybe it can be your next big opportunity.
17. Improve Your Social And Communication Skills
To network and create good friendships in life you must know how to talk to people. How to make them like you and interested in getting to know you more. You must know how to keep a conversation going and how to share your thoughts in an appropriate way. This is why improving your social and communication skills can be a wise thing to do. Usually, you learn it by just surrounding yourself around a lot of people. My communication skills got better through my job and having to socialise with all kinds of people.
18. Learn How To Become A High-Class Person
Most successful people have this charm to them. They are well-spoken, emotionally intelligent and carry themselves well. They dress well and avoid things that don’t correlate with their values. I think this is a very interesting topic and interesting to learn. You attract things by the way you present yourself. Why not learn how to present yourself well?
19. Create A MoodBoard for Your Ideal Future Self & Life
To become successful you must know where you want to go. You must know what you want out of life and be very specific about it. If you don’t already know, that’s okay! You’ll figure it out the more you grow and learn about yourself. But add pictures of the things you’d like to do or have in your life to a Pinterest board. What type of person you’d be? Would you go to the gym? eat healthily? paint? What is it you want to be? Add those ideas to your board.
20. Go To The Gym And Eat Your 5 A Days
This one doesn’t necessarily correlate with success but you may find that when you exercise and eat well you are more focused, determined and energised for work & you feel happier.
21. Take Daily Vitamins & Supplements
This again won’t make you successful but it will make sure your body is healthy and happy. If you want to be happy and successful then you must always take care of your body.
22. Work On Your Body Image And Confidence
To strive and get your dream life you must learn how to love yourself as well. If you’re not happy with yourself, work towards it! if you can’t change it, learn to accept it.
Bucket List For Fun Things To Do Alone In Your 20s
A bucket list for your 20s: How to have fun
- Explore New Hobbies
You must include trying out new hobbies in your bucket list for your 20s! Try out all sorts of hobbies before you find the ones you truly enjoy. How about painting, drawing, scrap journaling, playing an instrument, making videos or dancing? There are so many fun hobbies you can pick up to make life so much more enjoyable!
- Solo Travel
Take this one at your own risk but I know so many people who are independent and fearless enough to rock solo travelling. Obviously, ensure you are always kept safe by taking the necessary safety steps. You can try travelling not too far from home at first, say to another city for a day and then gradually go further. It’s all up to you. Whatever you’re comfortable with but solo travelling encourages great independence and getting to know yourself on a deeper level.
- Bike Around Nature
Imagine biking around a beautiful park full of tall evergreen trees. The sun shines through the leaves above you and the warmth of the sun gently touches your skin. You smell the nature around you. Life is good. You’re keeping fit, you feel alive and peaceful.
- Journal In Aesthetic Places
Go to your local park, lay out a blanket, eat some croissants and journal. Journal while you’re having a coffee at the cute coffee shop. Journal while your candles light up your room at night and you hear the rain dropping harshly on the ground.
- Print Out Pictures For Memories
If you have a printer at home, buy some picture paper for your printer and print out all your pictures! Write the date on the back and put them in a big box each time you do this. When you’ll be older you will be happy for making that decision. You may like to play some music in the background as you’re doing this.
- Have Spa Days
You can either treat yourself by going to a Spa or having a bubble bath at home by lighting some candles and reading a book in your bath. After your bath lather your body with some nice body lotion and paint your nails. Then finish it off by watching a Disney movie in your bed. Don’t forget to make sure your bedsheets are nice and fresh.
- Get A Massage When You’re Abroad
I don’t know about you but I’m already having aches and pains as if I was an 80-year-old grandma, no joke. Therefore, why not add this to your bucket list for your 20s and finish off your holiday with a lovely full-body massage? It gets rid of those aches and pains and you’ll feel so much more relaxed on your holiday.
- Get Cosy Near A Fireplace And Read A Book Or Journal
This one is great for those chilly days indoors. You can also have some relaxing music playing in the background. You’ll feel warm, relaxed and satisfied.
- Paint On Canvases Even If You’re Not So Great
I like to paint while I have some vintage music playing in the background. The sun is out and life feels great. You can follow an easy youtube tutorial. Try it, and see how fun and calming it is. I like to paint on a canvas because it makes me feel a little more artistic. If this sounds fun to you, add this one to your bucket list for your 20s.
- Try To Draw Something Cute And Then Frame It To Give It As A Gift
Talk about thoughtful gifts! Even if you’re not so great at drawing. Follow a youtube tutorial or draw something easy. You can start by just drawing for fun and then when you get more confident with your skill you can gift it to a close one.
- Watch Disney Movies
Have a nice bath, get some snacks and watch your favourite Disney movie. A bit of Beauty And The Beast or Aladin perhaps?
- Read Books That Highly Interest You
Do you know how fun it is to read a book that highly interests you? Hours can fly by and you suddenly notice your nose is still stuck in the book. Escape your everyday life by reading a fiction book perhaps? Now that’s fun!
- Gaze At The Stars And Moon On A Rooftop
Ahhh, I don’t even have to explain this one. I mean, it’s just the best feeling in the world. Observing the beautiful stars and moon as you lay in the warm night out. You start to feel special and drawn to them. Even if you just stare lay somewhere on the ground and have some music playing you’ll feel wonderful. Life will feel like a movie. Make sure to add this to your bucket list for your 20s!
- Bake Cute Cakes
Look on Pinterest for cute cakes you can bake & decorate. Follow a youtube tutorial or bake a cake for a friend. You’ll have fun and you’ll fill your tummy with deliciousness!
- Scarp Journal
Scap journaling is a form of art. You can be as creative as you like. You can record your thoughts, memories and inspiration by writing, painting, drawing or sticking aesthetic stickers. Have a quick look for some ideas. I’m sure you’ll have so much fun.
- Write A Letter To Your Future Self
How fun does that sound? imagine how emotional you’ll feel 10-20 years from now by reading a letter you wrote to yourself decades ago. You can ask yourself if you have reached your dreams, if you’re happy or if you have finally met the love of your life. There are online websites that you can use to do this. You can set the given date for when to receive your letter via email.
- Learn A New Dance Moves On Tik Tok
Hours can fly by and you are still trying to learn that Tik Tok dance you thought was freaking ‘easy’. Even if you don’t post the video, it can be fun to learn a few dance moves. You can also then show off those moves when you’re out partying.
- Plant A Garden
If you have a lovely garden where you can plant, why not get some cute flower seeds or fruit seeds and plant your garden? So much pleasure comes from nourishing your own little plants. You can even take it a step further and possibly sell your flowers or fruits.
- Learn To Play A Musical Instrument
Learning to play the guitar or the piano can take hours and hours of practice but you’ll find pleasure from hearing yourself get better and better. If you’re bored and not sure what to do, learn to play an instrument! Hours will fly by and you won’t even notice.
- Go For Jogs In Your Local Parks
Do you want to clear your mind? or just have something physical to do? Go for a jog in your local park! I like going for a jog in my local park which is surrounded by these beautiful tall evergreen trees while the sun is shining down on me through them. It just makes me feel active and refreshed.
- Take Bubble Baths
I mean, just heavenly. Get some fun bath bombs, candles, a bath table and some wine. Play some music and feel amazing. I would read a nice book as well.
- Read A Book On The Beach Or Somewhere Nice In Nature
Learn how to have fun with these little things. Enjoy listening to the waves move back and forth across the shore or enjoy hearing the birds tweaking as you lay there and read in the park. It’s all about having fun in your own company. If you want to enjoy your time alone add this to your bucket list for your 20s.
Fun Things To Do With Friends Or A Partner In Your 20s
- Do All Sorts Of Activities When You’re Out
If you truly want to have fun in your 20s then you must add this to your bucket list. Trying out many activities makes going out fun. Instead of just going for dinner and drinks why not do an activity before that? Play mini golf, bowling or some other fun activities available to you where you reside. Those activities make being with your friends 10x more fun!
- Go To The Lantern Festival
It’s a one-in-a-lifetime experience in my opinion. It’s so beautiful to look at & romantic. I would visit with a partner.
- Watch The Stars And Moon At Night While Lying On The Beach
I mean, doesn’t that just sound so romantic? What a fantastic experience. Imagine having a deep conversation with your lover during this. Ahh, I believe we all deserve something as romantic as that at least once in our lifetime. Doing this with friends can be just as special as well.
- Paint Outdoors With Friends
This is so cute to do during the warmer days. Even if none of you are great at painting, it is still so much fun and therapeutic. Get yourselves some canvases, paints, brushes, pallets, a blanket and some snacks and go to a lovely local park. You’ll have an amazing time.
- Do Cute Picnics With Your Girlfriends
Dress cute, get some fruits and mocktails, bring along a delicious cake, lay out a blanket and enjoy. Oh, don’t forget to take like a hundred pictures!
- Go To Concerts And Festivals
You should definitely go to many concerts and festivals in your 20s. Enjoy listening to music and dancing your ass off while you’re young and free!
- Go To Disneyland
You may have or have not been to Disneyland while you were a young child. But, going to Disneyland in your 20s with friends or your partner is a whole other experience! Especially if you still have that inner child living inside of you quite evidently. You’ll be loving life.
- Go To Winterwonderland During Christmas
The winter season is so much more magical when you go to Winter Wonderland with your close ones. I also recommend staying in London for a few days during that season. It was so lovely around that time.
- Go To Themed Parties
I’m lucky to have friends who throw many themed parties, but if you’re not so fortunate then why not throw one yourself? If you have the means to of course. Come up with a great theme, prepare it all and invite all your friends. I am sure you’ll all have a blast!
- Go Horse Riding
I highly recommend going to a few horse riding sessions in your local area. Not necessarily to learn but if that’s what you want to do then by all means! But more to just have fun. It’s an amazing experience. You’ll fall in love with it.
- Go To An Outdoor Cinema
Going to a normal cinema is alright, but imagine an outdoor cinema during the warmer days! It just makes It so much more exciting. Sitting on the roofs of your cars or on camping chairs at night. I know an outdoor cinema company running around England. Perhaps you could look into outdoor cinemas near you.
- Go To A Fireworks Event With Friends Or Your Partner
It’s so romantic! Just sitting there looking at the beautiful patterns and colours of the fireworks, covered in blankets and eating some snacks. I did it with friends and it was awesome. It would’ve been so romantic with a partner.
- Go On Road Trips
Life is so much more fun during road trips. Throw all you need into the car and set off to a pretty city nearby! Visit the beach, spend the entire day there and leave at night. Or you could stay for the weekend.
- Camp
Camp during your 20s with your friends or partner! You’ll create great memories together that you’ll look back at when you’re older. Plan it out with your friends, get all that you need for camping and set off!
- Visit Nature And Zoos
It’s so lovely to observe and appreciate the beautiful nature surrounding us. It makes life so much more interesting. You can also have great laughs while observing some of the animals with your friends.
- Swim With Dolphins
This one is on my bucket list as well. I just imagine it to be an amazing experience. Go to an aqua park or some other company that provides swimming with dolphins services. Perhaps searching it up when you go on a holiday.
- Visit Magical Underwater Worlds (Aquarium)
Watch the amazing sea creatures swim around you, carefully observe the beauty and elegance of the jellyfish and feel safe enough to watch the sharks get closer to you behind the glass.
- Go To The Fair With Your Friends
We all know that going to the fair is fun for kids but it can be just as fun for us adults as well! You could go during the day but I think going during the night is so much cooler.
- Play Card Games With Your Friends
Be ready to expose yourself, to find out things you’ve never known about your friends and to laugh to the point your face hurts.
- Celebrate Something In Another Country
Celebrating something such as your anniversary can be so much more special and unique in another city or country. You could just celebrate friendship or make up your own celebration reason. Make life much more exciting for yourself.
- Go To A Boat Party
You’ll have fun dancing and laughing the day and night away. It is so much more entertaining.
- Stay In A Cottage House
If you are like me, in love with cute cottages and the countryside, then you’ll love this idea! If you’re going to stay away in another city why not check Air B & B for cottages? I’m sure you’ll feel like a Disney princess.
- Go To Paris With Your Partner
Visit the city of love with the love of your life. Isn’t that everyone’s bucket list?
- Travel Around In A Van
If you have a van, why not renovate it to look extra cute and cosy to travel around in it? Or, if you’re super into travelling and have the means to, why not buy a van to travel in with your partner? It will save you a lot of money on accommodation and transport costs, plus it’s so much cooler.
- Do A Barbeque With Friends
Barbeques encourage friends and family to come together. Cook and eat some delicious food and enjoy talking and laughing all afternoon and evening with your close ones.
- Visit A Museum
If you appreciate history and art I’m sure you will enjoy visiting a local museum with your friends or partner. They encourage great conversations as you walk around and observe the magnificent pieces of the museum.
- Go On A Vacation With Friends
Going on a vacation with your friends can be very exciting and fun. You’ll share amazing and unique experiences together and get to know each other on a deeper level.
- Play Volleyball Or Badminton On The Beach
This is so fun! You and your friends will get so competitive and have great laughs in between. Do it next time you’re on the beach.
- Karaoke
Karaoke is a fun and interactive activity that encourages social interaction. It guarantees great laughs too.
- Go To Nice Bars And Restaurants
Visit nice-looking bars and restaurants with your friends or partner. You get to have great food, relax and chat in a nice atmosphere.
- Hike
Hiking is a great form of exercise and has many health benefits. Being surrounded by nature also reduces stress and you get the opportunity to see beautiful views as you hike.
- Play Basketball Together
Another great form of exercise and social interaction. Playing basketball with your friends can be a great way to bond and spend time together.
That’s all folks!
I hope you enjoyed reading this article, good luck with everything.
With love,
Nikol
