Having lost all my last 3 years posts I thought I would start a new bucket list. I think it is so important to have things to aim for, wishes to accomplish, challenges taken on and won; I would rather be like that than just plodding along meaninglessly and too far laid back to the point of being horizontal. But that’s just me.
What’s A Bucket List?
If you have never heard of the term “bucket list”, it is a list of all the goals you want to achieve, dreams you want to fulfill, and life experiences you wish to experience before you die.
Why Create A Bucket List?
if you don’t live your days by goals and plans, chances are that you spend most of your time caught in a flurry of day-to-day activities. Ever felt that your days are passing you by without any tangible output? What did you accomplish in the past month? What are your goals for the next three months? Look at the things that you have been doing and the things that you’re planning to do next – do they mean anything to you if you are to die today? Having a bucket list reminds you of what’s really important to you so that you can act on them.
Even if you live by goals or to-do lists, they are probably framed with a social context, e.g. performacne, career, health. A bucket list opens up the context for you life. It’s a list to identify everything you’ve ever wanted to do, whether it’s big or small, purposeful or random.
It’s just like planning all the highlights for YOUR life. Even though I already set goals by default, I still found many new things to do while writing my own list. It was an incredibly insightful exercise. What’s more, coming up with my list gave me new-found enthusiasm knowing what I have planned ahead for my life!
The objective of creating this list isn’t to create some fear-based mentality toward death. I don’t see our existence to be limited to our physical years on Earth – our physical lifespan is but a short speck of our existence in the universe. The whole point of creating a bucket list is to maximize every moment of your existence and live our life to the fullest.
It’s a reminder of all the things we want to achieve in our time on Earth so that instead of spending our time on pointless things, we direct it toward things that matter to us.
Time For A New Bucket List
Get Into That Size 12 Jeans Before I Am 50 In June
This has been on my list for as long as I can remember. With my birthday being in June I’d better pull my finger out big time! But to be honest I think I’d settle for a small 14. For me health is more important than waist size.
Start Up With A New Gym Membership
When my daughter started working at a local gym I stopped going to my regular gym and let the renewal lapse as I wasn’t keen on going on my own. Now my daughter has been there over 3 months I am now allowed to have free membership. So fingers crossed, this is going to be addressed this month. I will have to start slow as I am out of practice but slow is better than stop.
Learn To Swim
Again I am sure this was on my last bucket list. I would love to be able to swim and get rid of my fear of water. Swimming would be an exercise much better suited to my health problems; i.e. fibromyalgia etc. So I need to look into the new gym membership when I get it and see if they do lessons there; if they don’t then I will have them somewhere else.
Sort Out My Garden
My garden wasn’t used at all last year. It is far too big for me to look after on my own. I would love to get it sorted and made nice. If I had the money I would love to have a garden room for my arts and crafts and sewing and also growing my own veg. I did about 5 years ago grow my own runner beans, and courgettes etc and loved it. It was so nice to just go into the garden and pick your own vegetables and eat it the same day.
Make My Own Clothes
I bought my sewing machine about 7 years ago and loved using it. As space became a minimum it got put to one side and I have not used it for far too long. I would really like to get into making clothes for myself and also things like soft furnishings etc. Maybe even printing my own fabric. It is something that I would really like to get some more lessons in. I just love the idea of making something to wear; something that is unique and a one-off that fits my personality.
Level 4 Complementary Therapies
I am in the process of studying level 3 and would like to further my education even more and maybe go for a level 4. The other thing I am considering is a course in complimentary therapies for palliative care and end of life. I have worked as a carer in the care industry and do have some experience with end of life. Although sad it is extremely rewarding knowing that you have made someones last hours as comfortable as you possibly can for everyone involved.
I did consider for a long time a career in nursing but the nurses I have talked to over the years are more and more dissatisfied and unhappy with the situations they are currently working in. So for me being hands on with a client is extremely important and being able to actually physically “care” for someone is integral to my beliefs.
Journey On The Orient Express
I would love to have a trip on this train. The food looks exquisite but when I think of The Orient Express I think of romance, Agatha Christie, elegance, beautiful scenery and a trip back in time almost.
Write A Bestselling Book
Well I have written a few books now one of which did quite well but I want to push myself and take this much further. I am in the process of learning and studying very hard and when I get to where I want to be there will be a book coming out alongside of it. I am also compiling as you know a book; an anthology of poems written by people suffering from mental health issues and also by the loved ones of people who suffer. So without giving too much else away I have quite a few books in the pipeline. Also a big one which I start next January and will take me over a year to put together but I’m sure it will be worth it.
Have My Own Horse
Now I know I’m clutching at straws with this one I can’t afford a skateboard let alone a horse but I absolutely adore horses. They are such a magical and spiritual animal. I don’t know what it is but when I see one I have an overwhelming urge to touch it; to stroke its neck and feel the soft velvet skin around his mouth. Having volunteered at a disabled riding group years ago I saw first hand the unbelievably amazing effect horses had on the disabled riders. I won’t lie the first time I saw it I cried.
Live On The Coast
I have wanted to live on the coast for so long I can’t remember. I am sure I am not the only who feels like that but when I am by the sea I feel a great sense of peace and calm come over me and I’m in my own little bubble. I love Whitby and I love Bembridge on the Isle of Wight and could live at these places quite easily. For me I would love to be able to fall asleep at night listening to the waves. Ideally I would prefer a sea view but then wouldn’t we all. A little place with not many neighbours with a quiet sandy beach, my dog running around on it and you never know maybe ride my horse and feel the wind in my hair.
Get Married
Yep… I would like to get married one day. The problem is though I need to find someone to marry first and that is proving quite difficult. I don’t think there are many eligible men around in Harrogate or men that like me that is. I may have to resort to running over some poor unsuspecting man in a supermarket vegetable isle. So watch this space you may see me appearing on Crimewatch in the not too distant future.
Have An Orchard
As well as vegetables I would love to have my own fruit trees. I already have an apple tree which my mother bought me one year for Christmas. So I have to say if I ever move house my apple tree is coming with me. I’d love to have more apple trees, pear trees, plum trees; all sorts. Also berries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries. As you can see I don’t want much do I?
Be My Own Boss
I’m working on this and I can feel it is becoming more and more of a reality. I’m not giving up; tenacious is my middle name. So there is Karma Times on the horizon. Karma Times has been a name I have had in my head and my heart for so many years now and I know that has been important to me. Finally I’ve found the niche that this now fits and the path I am on is the right one. I would like to specialise in relaxation, anti-stress, anxiety and depression; also chronic health conditions which are quite often linked.
Make My Own Brand Products
I have made a start with this with the aromatherapy wax tarts and will be adding to this continuously. All my products will be items that are good for the soul and also be part of Karma Times. They will cover a wide variety of things so watch out for those too. So currently there is Karma Times the complementary therapy website and a Karma Times Etsy shop which sells my jewellery products. At some point in the future the two may possibly merge but I haven’t decided yet. It may be that the Etsy will be just jewellery and the other products will be on the therapy site.
Get A Camper Van
I seriously want a camper van. I can’t think of anything better than on a Friday packing up the van and just to travel around the coast visiting different places.
Get My Own Chickens
I would love to have a little farm-yard but I’d settle for chickens. If it was up to me I would have chickens, a little goat or two, maybe a Shetland pony or even a donkey or two. I’d be in dungarees and wellies everyday I’d be in my element.
My Own Art Studio, Craft Room, Sewing Room, Silversmithing Studio
I have so many creative ideas going through my head it’s unbelievable and I want to have a go at all of them while I can. The only problem is being creative costs money. But.. this is a bucket list and also a list of dreams and we all need dreams. And.. sometimes dreams come true!
Go On Some Betty’s Cookery Courses
I think I would enjoy going on cookery courses. I definitely would like to study nutrition and do a series of cookery books. (I’m working on this currently).
Set Up A Charity or Social Enterprise
I have been thinking about this for a while but even more so in recent months when I have seen the effect of giving free complementary therapies to people in the support group I set up. The difference has been gobsmackingly amazing. I wouldn’t have believed it unless I had seen it for myself.
The sad thing is though the people who need and would greatly benefit from complementary therapies can’t often afford them. This is why I have been giving free ones to people I know would benefit. It also got me thinking more seriously about the charity. I would like to be able to provide complementary therapies to people in emotional crisis. I want to do this. I need to do this.
Have My Own Business Premises
I guess this could be linked to the charity. Either way I would at some point like my own business premises and employ other therapists on the same mission as myself and that is to make a difference. I don’t want to be targeting the luxury market I want to target the people like myself, the people who need these therapies but can’t afford them.
I want a business that can treat the person as a whole. Address both physical health and emotional heath so incorporate mindfulness, coaching, counselling, therapies, creativity, nutrition, group meetings, outings etc for the local community. Then hopefully one day being able to set more of these centers up to help other communities.
It would be fantastic to be able at some point to provide an environment, a safe place for people in crisis where they can stay for a few days to access all the services and to leave feeling loved, cared for and with hope.
Face My Fears And Be A TED Speaker
I can’t think of anything worse than standing in front of a huge amount of people and talk about something and be able to keep their attention. It must be an incredible feeling to be able to do that but one hell of a scary one. I do love TED if you haven’t seen any yet head over to their site here.
Visit Historical Places
I love history particularly the Tudors. I would love to visit Hampton Court, The Tower of London and Hever Castle (the childhood home of Ann Boleyn). I would also like to visit the Palace of Versailles at some point. The one place I do love is Osborne House on the Isle of Wight; the home of Queen Victoria. There is something so beautiful about that building and the settings.
I do love a good castle too. So I think I need to find a man who fancies doing it with me. I would also like to visit the pyramids of Egypt, Mexico etc.
Shark Cage
I would be scared to death but I would love to be brave enough to do this. To see a great white in its natural habitat must be such a jaw dropping occasion. I’d be terrified but what an exhilarating thing to do.
Learn To Play The Piano
I would love to learn a musical instrument. I grew up with my granddad playing his harmonica and loved watching him. I love the sound of the piano so that would be really cool. I’d like to touch a harp too; it’s not something I’d want to play but I’d like to have a go on one.
Ride In A Gondola In Venice
I would love to go to Venice and ride in a gondola especially with the one I love. How romantic would that be? It looks like such a beautiful place so this is definitely going in my bucket list. It’s an art lovers paradise.
Go Glamping
I loved camping as a kid in fact I still do but haven’t done it in a few years. I would like to upgrade though and go glamping. I still want to sleep under the canvas and stars but in a better bed. To be honest I wouldn’t mind having my own large tippee or yurt in my garden; I’d love that. It would be a great place to chill out.
Have A Go At Writing Your Own
If you don’t have a bucket list, I highly recommend you to create one. how much will it cost? Absolutely zero! How long will it take? Probably 30 minutes or so or even an hour, more if you get really caught up in the process of it all. What do you stand to gain? Significant clarity in what you want from life. It’s an invaluable exchange if you think about it.
If you already have a bucket list, take this opportunity to review it. See if there are new items you want to add-on. if so, add them in. check if all the items listed are still relevant. If not then remove them. Set a reminder on your calendar to look at it every 3 months or 6 months.
Where Do I Start?
Now take your pen and paper out or open up a text document and type it. Read the following questions and then start writing what pops in your head.
- What if you were to die tomorrow? What would you wish you could do before you die?
- What would you do if you hand unlimited time, money and resources?
- What have you always wanted to do but have not done yet?
- any countries, places or locations you want to visit?
- What are your biggest goals and dreams?
- What do you want to see in person?
- What achievements do you want to have?
- What experiences do you want to have/feel?
- Any special moments you want to witness?
- What activities or skills do you want to learn or try out?
- What are the most important things you can ever do?
- What would you like to say/do together with other people? People you Love? Family? Friends?
- Any specific individuals (celebrities, famous people, world leaders) you want to meet in person?
- What do you want to achieve in the different areas of your life: Social, love, family, career, finance, health (your weight, fitness level), spiritual?
- What do you need to do to live a life of greatest meaning as defined by you?
Come up with as many items as you can
The items should be things you have not done yet. Don’t stop until you have at lease 101 things! If you find yourself stuck, chances are you are mentally limiting yourself. Release those shackles – your bucket list is meant to be a list of everything you want to achieve, do, see, feel and experience in your life.
As you can see I don’t have 101 things on my own bucket list yet but I have only just started. If you follow my blog you will see me update this on a regular basis and will hear about the things I’ve done when I get to tick them off.
I would love to hear about some of the things on your lists so please feel free to share by leaving a comment below. Also if you want to hear and read more about mine please hit subscribe.
Tracey xXx