IT IS IMPORTANT TO UPDATE YOUR BUCKET LIST REGULARLY! IT WILL HELP YOU TO FOCUS ON YOUR IDEAS AND GOALS AND TO MAKE SOLID PLANS TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN!
Why should you update your bucket list now? When you think of bucket lists, you may think of the movie of the same name. And they are sort of like that. I first started thinking about a bucket list way back in the year 2003, when I suddenly lost a family member to cancer. While spending a couple of weeks in the hospital with someone who was very sick, I started to contemplate everything. Everything about life, purpose, and death. Talking about death has somewhat of a stigma to it, people do not like to talk about it. But I am all too aware that it will happen to every one of us and you will never know when. So, thinking about a bucket list during that time was something that weighed heavily on my mind while contemplating my own mortality. And so I started my own personal bucket list.
Over the years I have accomplished some of the goals and dreams from my bucket list. But as I have grown as a person, my life’s mission, ideals, and aspirations have changed and evolved. Since this time in 2003, I have had two children and explored and added many new interests to my checklist. I realized early on that this list should be updated regularly to not only review the plans but to add and edit what is really important that I want to accomplish. Now as my children grow, my goals are still changing. I have new dreams and put those on the list.
If you don’t know, what is a bucket list?
For those that do not know, a bucket list is a checklist that you make of things to do before you die. As the new year comes each year, people make resolutions. This list is sort of a list of lifelong resolutions. It is a way to keep all your life goals in one place and it is so much fun to start doing those items and marking them off. When I first made a bucket list, my mind went a little crazy thinking of all the things that I wanted to do in my lifetime. At this time, I have done many of the items and have added many more. Places to travel, things to learn, milestones with my children are all on the list. There are so many things to put on a bucket list and every list is different.
This video from Developing Good Habits is from 2020 but explains the real purpose and intent behind bucket lists and some great ideas on how to make them. It is a great “how-to” guide. It is only a few minutes long and worth the watch.
There are many types of subcategories that you can have with a bucket list. Here are a few…
- Family bucket list
- Travel bucket list
- Personal goals
- Seasonal things to do
This slideshow brought to us by Forbes.com gives an example of travel ideas for a bucket list. While these particular destinations may or may not interest you, it gives you an idea of how to explore and dream of new places to go!
Why you should update your bucket list now…
As the years have gone on, life gets busy and sometimes our goals become blurry. The reason that you should update your bucket list is to REFOCUS ON YOUR GOALS. There is no greater time to do this, than at the start of a new year! A bucket list gives you a sense of purpose in your life by achieving your personal goals.
There are many internet posts on ideas for bucket list items, for inspiration. But I have found that bucket lists are very personal, reflecting all your hopes and dreams! The lists themselves can be put on paper and many other mediums (I personally keep mine in a list-making app on my phone). My list started on paper and then typed into a list on my computer, but I found that keeping the list on my phone allowed me to have it with me all the time. When I have a few minutes, I will look at the list and try and focus on how one or two of those items can be accomplished. I also mark through but keep completed items, to remind me of what I have accomplished. The list keeps you on track to accomplish your mission.
Do you have forgotten goals?
With the hustle and bustle of life, sometimes goals are forgotten when you feel like you don’t have time. This is why it is important to update your bucket list periodically. This will help you to refocus, make some new plans, and bring your attention back to the things that you think are important, YOUR LIFETIME GOALS!
It is sad for me to say, but I have been with someone on their last day of life. And the old saying is so true, you will not be thinking of how many hours you worked during your life…you will be thinking of things that you wanted to do (and didn’t) and the people that you love. Therefore a bucket list is so important! To help you accomplish those goals while you can. Life gives us no guarantees you see, so it is imperative to make the most of what time we get.
Things that I have learned…
Now what I have found in the course of having a long-running bucket list is a couple of things:
- Sometimes you may delete an item. Things that were important 18 years ago, may no longer be things that I want to accomplish today. Things like skydiving haha. I re-thought this one and decided that I really didn’t want to do that, so I simply took it off the list.
- Your bucket list will be ever-growing, so long as you are living. Life happens, people grow older (if you are lucky), and you will continue adding things to your list.
- Savor the experiences! These activities should not be rushed through. Slow down, and enjoy trying something new.
In the beginning, my type-A personality didn’t like to make changes to the list…, it felt a little like I would never finish. But I came to understand that a bucket list is kind of like a living thing (just like myself), and as I grow and learn, my list would change along with that.
How much times does a bucket list update take?
Some people may think that they don’t have time to make or revisit a bucket list. But honestly, it doesn’t take much time. Take maybe 10-15 minutes a month to review and refocus on your bucket list. It is so much fun to let your mind flow free without limitations and to think of what is possible in your life. Even if things are not currently going well, there is no better time than the present to do this! It will help to change your attitude to a more focused and goal-oriented way of thinking! It makes you feel so good to dream for a few minutes.
If you have enjoyed learning about revising your bucket list, you may enjoy these other posts:
GLAMPING in a CABIN is an amazing way to camp! FAMILY ADVENTURE SERIES
CHRISTMAS AT HERSHEY-WHY YOU SHOULD PLAN A FAMILY ADVENTURE HERE!
Wandering – Four ideas to try now!
Local Adventures – things to do for fun during COVID!
I can’t tell you how great it feels when you begin to complete items from your bucket list. It is so great! Not only do you have the experience of the activity, but you also have the satisfaction of knowing that you accomplished one of your lifetime goals! And not all goals need to be some huge or monumental thing. It could be as simple as trying something new that you haven’t had before. One of my bucket list items was as simple as trying a “cronut”, a combination of croissant and donut. And boy was it delicious.
I hope that you will take some time this week to refocus on your bucket list (or make one if you do not have one)! The new year is a great time to get started on your goals, made for you and by you!
Francesca Wilson says
Love this post! I will definitely be updating my bucket list!
Carolyn m says
A love your site name. This was an interesting post. It’s true that we tend to think bucket list items have to be big goals and trios, yet it’s so often the little things like your ” front” that are truly memorable. Now I need to google what a CEO it is!
Carolyn m says
Sorry my phone auto corrected my comment…and totally botched it up. It should read: ” I love your site name.. This was an interesting post. It’s true that we tend to think bucket list items have to be big goals and events, yet it’s so often the little things like your ” cronut” that are truly memorable. Now I need to google what a cronit is!
cbrooks0312@comcast.net says
Haha no worries! A cronut is an interesting combination for sure! It took me awhile to find one but now I see them more often at bakeries. They are really good, I learned about them watching the food channel. Happy new year to you and I hope that you find some awesome things for you list! 😊
Kara says
This is a really cool way to think about goal setting. So often we focus on the day to day details and not the big picture.
Jemima says
Hmmm interesting! I haven’t really write my bucket list.. All I do so far is randomly think about them and then criss-cross out of mind if needed. I wonder why I write but my bucket list is not written.. Thanks.
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Great tips for those who do bucket lists! Thanks so much for linking up with me at the #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 20, open until January 26. Shared on social media.
Walk Along With Us says
I never thought about a bucket list like this before but I love it! I put it in the same perspective as your dream board now. Thanks for sharing I will be updating mine for sure now.
cbrooks0312@comcast.net says
I’m glad that you liked it! It took a life-changing event for me to start thinking in this way but since that time I have accomplished so many things with many more to come. Good luck with your list!