Make a Bucket List You’ll Actually Complete

Do you have a bucket list? If so, how many of the things on it have you actually done? Don’t worry if your answer is in the single digits. These tips will help you make a bucket list you’ll actually complete.

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Stack of Spiral Bound Notebooks with text overlay - Make a Bucket List Youll Actually Complete

 

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I have been lucky enough to do many great things and have tons of awesome experiences in my life. Then one day, I realized I had stopped. I got caught up in raising a family and daily life.

It happens to the best of us but once you realize it, you want to do something about it. A bucket list is a great way to change it around.

If you actually do it, that is. That is exactly what these tips help you do.

 

Cell Phone next to sticky notes and pen with text overlay - Start with What You Have Done

Start with What You Have Done

Start by making a list of all of the amazing things you have already done. When you see how much you’ve already accomplished, it will motivate you to start again. That’s how you get the initial push to start again.

There are no wrong answers here, either. Everything that you feel is an accomplishment, unique experience, or enriching should go on the list. Here is a short example for you:

  1. Visit Montreal
  2. Go to Disney World
  3. See Boston in Concert
  4. Crowd Surf
  5. Fly in a Plane
  6. Write a Book
  7. Perform Live on Stage
  8. Try Out for The Voice
  9. Go Skinny Dipping
  10. Perform in a Play
  11. Win an Award/Trophy
  12. Complete a 5K
  13. Ride a Horse
  14. Pet a Shark
  15. Ride an Elephant
  16. Feed a Giraffe
  17. Attend New Orleans Jazz Festival
  18. Eat Alligator
  19. See the Nutcracker Ballet
  20. Get Paid to Sing

Not all of these are huge things but they all meant something to me. Seeing it all laid out on a list makes you feel pretty awesome and accomplished. You are a person, a unique individual who has so much more to give than what you give yourself credit for.

 

United States Passport with text overlay - Make Your Bucket List

Make Your Bucket List

Once you complete the list of things you have already done, it’s time to make your bucket list. You were likely inspired by new ideas while compiling the list above. Write them down: all of them. Anything and everything you can think of that you want to do, try, and experience.

Here is another quick example:

  1. Be an Extra in a Horror Movie
  2. Go Snorkeling
  3. Visit Hawaii
  4. Take a European Vacation
  5. Go on an Overnight Ghost Hunt
  6. Stay in an Over-water Bungalow
  7. Go to Super Bowl
  8. Attend Comi-Con in San Diego
  9. Throw an Over-the-Top Birthday Party
  10. Go on a Huge Tropical Zip Line
  11. Try Glass Blowing
  12. Go on a Cruise
  13. Try a Sensory Deprivation Tank
  14. Earn a Million Dollars
  15. Attend a Crab Boil
  16. Eat at the Hello Kitty Food Truck
  17. Meet the Core Buffy “Scooby Gang”
  18. Sleep in a Haunted House
  19. Go on a Safari
  20. Donate Blood

Notice how there are seriously all kinds of things on this list. From places to visit to conquering fears and even to financial milestones, they are all part of my bucket list. Remember, you decide what goes on it and it can be absolutely anything you want.

 

White Frame with Chalkboard

Prominently Feature Your Bucket List

After you finish your bucket list, you need to keep that baby front and center on your mind. A great way to do this is to literally hang it on the wall.

If you have a large dry erase board you can write your bucket list on there and hang it. You can also make the super easy DIY chalkboard in this tutorial to write them on.

 

Girls Making Silly Faces with text overlay - Share Your Bucket List

Share Your Bucket List

Lastly, share it with your family, including your kids. There are 3 reasons for this:

  1. This helps keep you accountable.
  2. It prepares your kids for the times you do things without them.
  3. Lastly, it’s a great behavior to model for your kids.

I love kids for their honesty. When they see you checking off items on the list, they will get excited. On the flip side of that, they won’t hesitate to point out when it has been a while since you checked one off.

Bonus Tip: Schedule It

In case you haven’t notice, I’m a big proponent for scheduling things. When you take the time to write them down and plan them, it makes it easier to stick to. Additionally, it gives you a deadline. I recommend scheduling at least 4 bucket list items a year. Ideally these would be 3 smaller ones that are simple and inexpensive to complete and 1 large one that is consumes more time, planning, and money.

 

Stack of Spiral Bound Notebooks with text overlay - Make a Bucket List Youll Actually Complete

When you start with your accomplishments, keep your list prominent, and share it with family you will finally make a bucket list you’ll actually complete. The life we live and who we become is essentially made up of each one of these experiences. They shape and form us which is pretty cool when you think about it. That means we have a lot more control over who we become than we like to believe.

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Stack of Spiral Bound Notebooks with text overlay - Make a Bucket List Youll Actually Complete

 

How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood Series

  1. Introduction
  2. Why All Moms Need a Journal
  3. Determine Your Why for Self Discovery
  4. Find Your Cheerleaders
  5. DIY Positive Affirmation Cards
  6. Create Your SAHM Hierarchy of Needs
  7. The Hard Truth About Carving Out Me Time
  8. 5 Awesome Podcasts to Inspire Self Discovery
  9. How to Love Yourself First
  10. Stop Reacting to Life and Live Proactive
  11. How to Set and Protect Boundaries as a Mom
  12. How Moms Can Stop Being People Pleasers
  13. Why It’s Okay to Outgrow Relationships
  14. It’s Time to Break-up with Yourself
  15. Create a Mini Mom Oasis for Recharging
  16. Why Moms Should Date Themselves + How to Do It
  17. How to Get Your Free Time Back as a SAHM
  18. Turn Someday into Today
  19. Why You Should Throw Out Your Clothes
  20. Rediscover Your Old Hobbies
  21. How to Find New Hobbies You Love
  22. How to Create a Daily Self Care Routine
  23. Shut Down Your Negative Self Talk
  24. How a Haircut Can Help You Find Yourself
  25. Make a Bucket List You’ll Actually Complete
  26. Unique Alternative Ideas to Help You Find Yourself
  27. Why SAHM Need to Unplug Weekly
  28. 10 Mom Date Ideas You Can Do at Home
  29. 10 Mom Date Ideas to Get Out of the House
  30. Embracing Your Weird as a Mom
  31. How to Practice Mindful Reflection