Reasons for #BucketLists
Let’s have a discussion about bucket lists…
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Have you ever made one? What was the purpose of your bucket list? Perhaps you made one when you were in school or in college; ‘things I want to do before I start my career’ or ‘things I want to do before I have children’. There have been songs written patterned after the bucket list: Live Like You are Dying, or something like that.
Depending on your stage of life there are different reasons for creating a ‘bucket list’. My husband and I are not creating a formal bucket list, but we are making decisions that satisfy those desires we would have put on that list.
As many of you know we just purchased a new car. It was not because we needed one. It was because we wanted one. Each of us had our list of what we wanted to see in a new car. Some things were important to me and not to my husband and vice versa. We ended up getting a bit of what we both wanted.
Check the new car off the bucket list.
We have also been busy making upgrades to our home. Some things we did because we needed to, but some things we did because we wanted to. The patio / deck was definitely not a required upgrade, but a desired upgrade.
Another item marked off the bucket list.
I will not keep noting the items that we would have on our bucket list if it existed. The point is simply that your bucket list will be different depending on what stage of life you are in and what is important to you at that stage. We are no longer caring for young children. We do not have to be concerned about saving for college.
Our mythical bucket list now contains things like ‘where do we want to go for our next vacation?’ We want to travel while we are still physically able. So many people save for retirement and then never get to enjoy it. We do not want to end up that way. We are not being stupid with our funds by any means. However, we also know that we can’t take it with us. What is the point of saving for retirement if you never get to actually enjoy what you saved?
What’s on your bucket list? Have you created a bucket list? Have you marked anything off of your bucket list?
Until next time…
Geek Grandma
Filed in: Aging
I know that bucket lists are popular…I just don't have one because I don't want to be confined by a list:) Personally, I live a pretty structured life so to have my free time defined isn't something I want to do right now. I kind of have things I really want to do in the back of mind and I just want to be more spontaneous and leave myself open to experiences I may not have thought of. I have friends that have bucket lists that are a mile long! THAT would make me frantic!! LOL I have enough lists already!
I understand. My bucket list isn't a list of things I have to do, but rather would like to do. My 'To Do' list makes me a little stressed if I don't get it all completed. My mythical bucket list is not something I 'have' to do.
My husband is the one with a bucket list – I think it's in his head. When something comes across his radar screen that he THINKS he has to have or do, and it's outside our agreed on budget, he tells me it's a bucket list item. Kind of handy for him.
I don't have a bucket list. I've had wonderful experiences in my life. Travel, hobbies. I'm not much into things so for me, a list wouldn't do a thing for me.
Handy little item for him to fall back on when he wants something. LOL
Hi Cheryl: I enjoyed this post. We have a group of 7 gals who we call virtual sisters. One time when we were together, we actually got a small steel garden bucket and we each wrote our bucket lists on it with a black felt market. It was a really fun process to see what was important to ourselves, but also to each of us. We brought it out a couple years later and it was interesting to see who had achieved what. I'd recommend that for girly groups!
Sounds very cool. I have not done the group thing like that. I agree it would be a great way to learn more about each other.
I've made a formal bucket list in the past and have checked quite a few items off the list. Now it's more of an informal thing since I've mostly structured my life to revolve around the things I enjoy most like food and travel. Some goals are more obtainable than others, so it's a matter of balance. Writing a novel is definitely still on my bucket list, but I've come to realize achieving things doesn't always need to be about speed. The journey counts for a lot too š Next up? Barcelona (and learning some Spanish too).
The nice thing about most bucket lists is that they are not time sensitive. I am really looking forward to your novel. š
I've never really been a bucket list kind of person. More often than I just figure out what I want to do and pursue it. Seems like the bucket list is a list of the things you strive for outside just living your life. I have always lived by life is either a grand adventure or you aren't really living.
You make an excellent point. For people like me it just helps me to focus. Menopause brain means if you don't write it down, you lose it. Big sigh… LOL
Things still on my bucket list are go to Australia, Grand Canyon, spend a month in France, publish a cookbook,and make money on a drawing tutorial. I’ve checked stuff but can’t remember what. š
You are getting there my friend. You have a great bucket list. š
knowing my husband is going to be unfit to do the things he enjoys soon we have discussed things he would like to do , knowing you only have a short time makes you enjoy things more and do the things you want to do though finances are a restriction .
It's sort of like the song – Live Like You Are Dying. Makes you take a different look at things for a different perspective on what's important.
Hi Cheryl,
This is really an interesting piece,
"Bucket list" I never thought of!
Indeed a good idea!
Thanks for sharing it in detail,
May you have a great weekend
~ Phil
Bucket Lists are not a new idea. Sometimes we just need to be reminded so we know what's really important to us.
Thanks for your kind response. I didn't say new idea, instead a good idea!
Have a blessed week ahead.
Philip Ariel
Personally I hate the term bucket list. But I do like the concept. I don't have one per se , though Im not really a list maker. But kudos to those who do and f it makes you do more than thats great.
Have never made a bucket list and never will make one. Have done more than approximately 90 of human beings have so there's really nothing I feel I just have to do. Another reason is that in my opinion, the only thing that's certain in life is that everything's uncertain i.e. planning is easier said than done and I instead see life as an unknown adventure that you don't know what it will bring.
I love your attitude. In that respect we are total opposites. I am a list maker and a planner. Corporate life required me to do both and those habits have never left me. I don't feel confined by a list. A list just helps me focus. As you say nothing is certain in life so I use lists to help me focus on what I would still like to do.