Writing prompt

An Anti-Bucket List Of A Few Of My Not-Favorite Things

Which shall forever remain buried. Amen!

There’s something about an anti-list that is so exciting and let’s face it, a relief to write. We all enjoy making bucket lists and wish lists. What about the things we don’t want to do or never intend to do?

Just as we must learn what to do in life, we also have to learn what not to do. And thus, we shall respect the stuff we don’t care a sh*t about, that wild horses cannot drag us towards those things.

Although, I can't really imagine a bunch of wild horses dragging me toward anything. Only once in my life, a pony dragged a five-year-old me across the beach when I toppled off it. Never mind. Hmph!

So here are ten things I have no intention of doing. If you ever see me doing them, you know what to do. 😉

1. Play chess

My family would freak out if they saw that this made it to the top of my not-to-do list. Every single one of them is a chess champ. And they’re sick of trying to tempt me to play. What they can’t get is — I am intelligent, and I say that without vanity. I am curious. And yet, as far as chess goes, uh-huh. NO way.

2. Bungee jumping

I suffer from vertigo, and freak out with heights, and thus, no bungee jumping for me. Also, I am not suicidal. The very idea of jumping into space terrifies me. Sure, the idea of flying is exciting in my imagination but in reality — never. Just looking down from the third floor in my building gives me the heebie-jeebies!

3. Enjoy mushrooms

It is funny how I am not at all fussy when it comes to food and yet, I had to apply the brakes with mushrooms. The smell somehow is just not appealing. My friend made a salad with enoki mushrooms and bullied me into eating it, lecturing me on the health benefits but . . . nope. I cook mushrooms for my son who adores them but me — no way. If a dish has mushrooms in it without my knowledge, I just pick out all the pieces before eating. Ugh.

4. Become non-vegetarian

Funny story about why I pledged to be vegetarian. So I was born into a family that is vegetarian but like most people, I did have a choice when I was old enough (sneaky enough) to make my choices. I did have the occasional non-veg soup at our favorite Chinese restaurant with friends.

So when I was in college, my professor entered me into a competition-cum-debate on the topic of vegetarianism vs non-veg. I began to gather info supporting non-vegetarianism but eventually found myself more convinced about vegetarianism. I know most of you will laugh, but the idea of non-veg appealed to me not at all. I went on to write my essay about vegetarianism and won. The idea of eating another living being breaks my heart. Shhh! Don’t even argue with me about how plants are living beings too.

5. Stop writing

Heh! Never gonna happen. I write all the time and find it therapeutic, fun. I stress-write when I am stressed. And most of all, I ENJOY writing. Why on earth would I stop doing something I love and enjoy? D’uh! Also, writing is one of my main sources of income to help me support underprivileged children. I rest my case.

6. Depend on anyone in my later years

I sincerely hope I never have to do this. The moment I feel I have to depend on someone for carrying out my daily routine, I plan to check myself into one of those senior care homes — we have some wonderful places now. Better still, I will make sure I take good care of myself and try my best to avoid such a situation. Mainly because the thought of moving from where I live now makes me shudder. So much stuff to clear . . . 🤪

7. Put someone down-discriminate

I would never intentionally put someone down, be unkind or discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, economic status or for any other reason. Sure, I would frown upon anyone who is mean to others. And I will not stay quiet when I see someone ill-treating someone, especially children or the elderly.

8. Stop drinking coffee

I hope I never have to — I can wish, right? I added this simply because no list of mine can be complete without some reference to coffee. Over the years, after my diabetes diagnosis, I have significantly cut down on my coffee consumption but I would never want to give up that one mega-mug of coffee I enjoy savoring, pretending I am in paradise. Because I am, when I enjoy that freshly brewed South Indian filter coffee in my older-than-me coffee filter.

9. Use someone else’s underwear/toothbrush

Right? Enough said, no?

10. Refuse prime ministership of India

Yeah, right. I will not turn down the offer to become the prime minister of India. I have a big heart and I am not shy about it.

Thanks to The Sturg who wrote an anti-bucket list and inspired this post.

The Sturg’s Anti-Bucket List

A prompt inspired by the list by Ginger Cook

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Added inspiration from Ginger Cook’s own list — who kicked off the prompt.

Backward Bucket List

Things I don’t ever, ever want to do before I die

medium.com

What is on YOUR anti-bucket list? Tell us, we want to know!

Tag blanketing, with love, the following amazing writers ❤ to join me with their anti-bucket list.

(If you do not wish to be tagged, please leave me a private note.)

Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles ❤ Did you smile today?

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Hope Springs Eternal

Because what goes down will bounce back up

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