The Bucket List Backlash: Why One 73-Year-Old Advocate Rejects Bland Adventures
Rose Rouse, a 73-year-old co-founder of the social enterprise Advantages of Age, is taking a stand against the pervasive culture of bucket lists. In a recent podcast appearance, she was horrified when asked about her own list, responding simply that she does not have one. Rouse argues that bucket lists have blandified adventure, turning meaningful experiences into commodified, consumer-driven checkboxes reminiscent of wedding registries.
Challenging Media Narratives on Ageing
As the editor of Advantages of Age, Rouse works to challenge media stereotypes around ageing. She believes that bucket lists are reductive and aspirational, spreading like a virus on social media and even targeting younger generations. These lists often include categories such as food, play, and dating, with some individuals planning mundane activities like drawing with chalk as part of a summer bucket list, which Rouse finds overly cute and therapeutic.
The commodification of adventure is a key concern for Rouse. She points out that bucket lists have become big business, with journals, guides, and even therapy sessions dedicated to crafting the perfect list. The idea of having to complete adventures before kicking the bucket is heinous to her, not because she fears death, but due to the terminology and pressure it imposes.
Embracing Eccentricity and Personal Joy
Instead of following a bucket list, Rouse advocates for meandering down one's own primrose path. She enjoys non-commodified activities, such as local dances and spending time with her grandson and son. As a self-described old hippy travel snob, she prefers destinations like Senegal and Algiers over popular spots like Machu Picchu or helicopter rides over the Grand Canyon. Her interests are not part of an intentional pensioner experience but simply good fun she happens to have in her 70s.
Rouse is making a fuck it list, which involves doing the opposite of what is expected. She plans to fill a bucket with books about bucket lists and set them on fire, symbolically rejecting the trend. Her message is clear: relish time and create personal adventures rather than adhering to bland, pre-packaged experiences.
