Want to Live a Fuller Life? Skip the Resolutions & Do THIS Instead
Have you ever stopped to think about what you really want to do with your life, not someday, but while you still can? Many of us talk about our dreams, make loose plans, and assume there will always be more time. Before we know it, years have passed.
That is where a bucket list comes in. It is not morbid or gloomy. It is a simple, powerful way to focus on what matters most and start living more intentionally.
A bucket list helps you identify what truly makes you happy. It gives you things to look forward to and encourages you to fill your life with meaningful experiences instead of regrets. Each time you check something off, you build momentum and confidence to keep going.
A bucket list is not about doing more.
It is about doing what matters most to you.
Your bucket list is completely personal. There are no rules and no right or wrong answers. It might include a dream trip, learning a new skill, volunteering somewhere meaningful, or finally making time for something you have always wanted to try.
Start by asking yourself one simple question: What makes me happy? Let your answers guide you, and do not be afraid to dream a little bigger than usual.
Unlike New Year’s resolutions, which are often based on what we think we should do, a bucket list is rooted in what we actually want to do. Resolutions tend to focus on fixing ourselves or meeting expectations. A bucket list focuses on joy, curiosity, and experiences that feel genuinely fulfilling.
If your goals feel like obligations, they probably are.
A bucket list should feel exciting, not exhausting.
How to Create Your Bucket List
You can keep it simple or make it creative.
• Write a list in a notebook or journal
• Create a vision board with images that inspire you
• Build a digital list you can update anytime
Next, place your bucket list somewhere you will see it often. Seeing your goals regularly helps turn ideas into action and keeps your dreams top of mind.
When your list is ready, pick one thing and take the first step toward it. Just one is enough to get started. Life is too short to keep waiting for someday.
You do not need a perfect plan.
You just need a starting point.
Need Help Turning Your Ideas Into a Real Plan?
If you love the idea of a bucket list but feel overwhelmed about where to start, you are not alone. That is exactly why I created Beyond the Bucket List, a guided workbook designed to help you move from vague ideas to intentional plans.
Instead of just listing destinations or experiences, the workbook walks you through why each goal matters to you, what it will take to make it happen, and how to prioritize what truly fits your life right now. It is especially helpful if you prefer writing things down and seeing everything in one place.
Think of it as your bridge between dreaming and doing.
As Red from The Shawshank Redemption said, “Get busy living or get busy dying.”
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* Source: Statistic Brain Research Institute
After reading your article I created my Bucket List almost right away. I went the simple route with just a list of places I wanted to go and things I wanted to do. When I finished my list the first thing that hit me was how young I was when some of these items became goals in my life that I never got around to doing. Some of these dreams have been with me for three decades and I’ve never followed through on them.
Putting these into a Bucket List was the best thing I’ve ever done. One of my top three Bucket List items has now become a reality for me. I just got back from my first trip to Hawaii where I came face to face with volcanoes and stood less than five feet from actual flowing lava! I spent nine days with my best friend across three different Hawaiian Islands that culminated in a 7-mile round trip hike across a treacherous landscape of twisted, folded, cracked and barren volcanic glass to reach the area where lava flow was still active. It’s been a while since I’ve ever felt so alive.
Thank you for this blog and the never-ending wealth of information on all things travel. My Bucket List is no longer just a list. It’s a living document that is going to have a major impact on my life and the decisions I make in the future.
Created one and added it to my blog. Thanks for sharing. Made me realize its not only inspirational to create one, but to help others realize their own potential for happiness as well.
That’s great, Kellyn! I hope you get to checkoff lots of items on your bucket list this year 🙂
I loved the article! It made me start picturing where i want to go. I especially like the idea of clipping pictures and aricles to make a collage Bucket list! Thanks for the kick start.
Sheri D, I’m glad you enjoyed the post and that it inspired you to make your own Bucket List. Pinterest is a great place to get ideas. I also find the “old school” collage method a lot of fun. All you need is scissors, some magazines, poster board, and a glue stick. Have fun with it – and thanks for reading and commenting!