The Life Lists We Abandon: How Sofia Carson’s New Netflix Movie Challenges Us to Reconnect with Our Dreams
It’s scribbled in a battered old diary hidden away in your loft, or maybe on a crumpled piece of paper in the back of your desk drawer.
Perhaps it exists only in the recesses of your mind.
That list of dreams you once made. Bold, absurd, hopeful dreams that somehow got buried under utility bills and everyday life.
But what if someone forced you to dust off those dreams and actually live them?
That’s the premise that stuck with me while watching the trailer for Netflix’s upcoming film The Life List movie on Netflix (releasing 28th March).
Sofia Carson plays Alex Rose, a woman whose mother’s dying wish requires her to complete the bucket list she wrote as a teenager.
What follows is a journey that might make many of us squirm with recognition.
I’ve had my own “someday” list gathering dust for years. What about you? What dreams have you been quietly postponing?
The Psychology of Life Lists: Why We Make Them (And Why We Abandon Them)
Psychologists suggest that creating life lists (sometimes called bucket lists) serves an important purpose in our wellbeing.
These aspirational documents connect us to our authentic desires and provide a sense of agency and direction.
Yet studies show that most adults have abandoned childhood or young adult dreams without consciously choosing to do so.
Life’s constant demands, practical concerns, and the slow creep of routine often push our most meaningful aspirations to the background.
What’s Your Bucket List Personality?
Before you start crafting your own life list, understand what motivates you. Which of these statements sounds most like you?
A. “I want to experience everything life has to offer.”
You’re an Adventure Seeker. Your life list should include boundary-pushing experiences that create adrenaline highs and unforgettable stories.
B. “I want to create something meaningful that outlasts me.”
You’re a Legacy Builder. Focus your life list on learning skills, creating art, or making impacts that will continue beyond your lifetime.
C. “I want to connect deeply with people and places.”
You’re a Connection Curator. Your ideal life list centres on relationships, cultural immersion, and emotional experiences shared with others.
D. “I want to discover who I really am beyond my daily roles.”
You’re a Self-Explorer. Your life list should feature solo journeys, challenges that test your limits, and experiences that reveal your authentic self.
What’s your type? And more importantly—does your current life reflect it?
Netflix’s The Life List: A Timely Mirror for Our Own Postponed Dreams
Based on Lori Nelson Spielman’s beloved novel, The Life List book follows Alex Rose (Sofia Carson), whose life takes an unexpected turn when her mother Elizabeth (Connie Britton) leaves behind a final request: Alex must complete her teenage bucket list to rediscover her true self.
The story resonates because it touches on universal themes—the gap between who we once dreamed of becoming and who we are now, the way grief can propel growth, and how small steps toward authentic desires can transform our lives.
As one character in The Life List movie trailer says, “Sometimes we need someone else to remind us of who we are.”
The film offers us that gentle nudge through its storytelling.
Director Adam Brooks, known for Definitely, Maybe, spent a decade developing this project.
“It’s a story of reinvention about those crucial moments when you have to take measure of who you are and ask yourself if you’re truly living an authentic life,” he explains.
Life Lists vs. Bucket Lists: Understanding the Difference
Whilst often used interchangeably, life lists and bucket lists serve different psychological purposes:
Bucket Lists typically focus on experiences and achievements before death (“kick the bucket”). They tend to emphasise grand adventures and major accomplishments.
Life Lists, by contrast, often include everyday joys, personal growth milestones, relationship goals, and small pleasures that enhance our daily existence.
Both have value, but research suggests that life lists with a balance of aspirational goals and accessible joys tend to contribute more to overall life satisfaction.
Your Turn: The 1-2-3 Life List Challenge
Take 5 minutes right now:
- Write ONE big, seemingly impossible dream
- Write TWO skills you’ve always wanted to learn
- Write THREE simple joys you’ve been putting off
Sometimes declaring intentions publicly is the first step to making them happen. What would your 1-2-3 list include?
Creating a Meaningful Life List: Questions to Guide You
Unlike bucket lists focused solely on adrenaline-fuelled adventures, a meaningful life list encompasses growth, relationships, skills, and experiences that align with your core values.
Consider these prompts:
- What did you dream of becoming before practical concerns took over?
- Which skills have you always been curious about but never prioritised?
- What relationships would benefit from intentional nurturing?
- Which places call to your heart for reasons beyond tourism?
- What daily or weekly practices might bring more joy into your life?
- What legacy would you like to leave, however small?
The beauty of a life list is that it evolves as you do. It’s not a rigid checklist but a living document that grows with your changing understanding of what matters.
The Star-Studded Cast of The Life List
The Life List movie cast features an impressive lineup of talent:
- Sofia Carson as Alex Rose
- Connie Britton as Elizabeth, Alex’s mother
- Kyle Allen as Brad, Alex’s lawyer turned ally
- Sebastian de Souza as Garrett
Sofia Carson is no stranger to Netflix, having previously starred in and co-written the successful 2022 film Purple Hearts alongside Nicholas Galitzine.
She also starred in the more recent Netflix thriller Carry-On starring alongside Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman.
For Carson, this new role in The Life List represents a deeper exploration of personal growth and rediscovery.
Books and Films That Celebrate Second Chances
If you’re looking for more inspiration while waiting for The Life List movie to drop, consider these stories of second chances:
- P.S. I Love You – Letters from a deceased husband guide a widow toward healing and new beginnings
- Eat, Pray, Love – A woman’s global journey toward self-discovery after divorce
- The Midnight Library – A magical library where each book represents a different life path
- Wild – One woman’s transformative solo hike to reclaim her life
- About Time – A man uses time travel to find what truly matters in life
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Revive Your Life List
In a world that glorifies productivity, life lists sometimes get dismissed as wishful thinking.
But really, they’re about something deeper—giving ourselves permission to want more, to dream, and to make room for things that bring us joy.
Psychologists say that even the smallest steps toward our personal goals can boost resilience and overall happiness.
So, maybe your list isn’t about jumping out of planes but about something quieter: calling an old friend, signing up for that pottery class, or just allowing yourself to do something for the pure fun of it.
Taking the First Step
The magic of a life list isn’t in the big, Instagram-worthy moments. It’s in those tiny decisions.
And if The Life List movie cast has anything to show us, it’s that change starts with one small step. What’s one thing you could start today?
Whether you’re inspired by Sofia Carson’s portrayal of Alex Rose or just feeling that itch to shake things up, consider this your sign.
Dust off that old list, scribble something new, and actually go for it.
Because the real question isn’t What do you want to do before you die? It’s How do you want to live while you’re still here?
Mark your calendars for 28th March when The Life List lands on Netflix. And maybe use today to start a new adventure of your own.
