Ladybugs, hope the title of this post sparked your interest because maybe you are contemplating making a 2020 spring bucket list. And if that is the case, I hope you will put together your list then share it on 03.21.2020 when I reveal my own. Some of my best bucket list activities have been inspired by the lists of my blogging buddies. Even if you don’t blog, you can still share your list in a comment! So no excuses for not joining the fun.
If you have never created a seasonal bucket list and are on the fence about doing so, then I am writing this post for YOU.
The Why Behind Creating Seasonal Bucket Lists
I actually put together a few seasonal bucket lists before I knew how beneficial it is to do so! Check me out on the cutting edge!! I figured anything that encouraged us to try new experiences and set goals for ourselves had to be a good thing.
Then my friend Mary Clewley from Hope Filled Living asked me to share a little bit about my bucket lists with her self care group. That’s when I decided to do a little research. Had to find out if there was something legitimately advantageous about making a bucket list, fun list or activity list. And my research confirmed that there is!! No matter what you call ’em, they are good for you.
The idea behind a bucket list is, as they state in the movie with the same title, to create a list of things you hope to do before you “kick the bucket,” but you can also use the idea for any deadline—say, a list of things you wish to do before you enter your next decade of life, or before the summer ends. Creating a bucket list can benefit you in several ways. [source]
4 Good Reasons for Creating Seasonal Bucket Lists
Here are some of the ways making seasonal bucket lists can be good for you.
Numero Uno
- Helps you focus on what you want in life. “The process of writing a bucket list forces you to take a close look at what it is you truly desire, to analyze where you are versus where you want to be.” [source]
Numero Dos
- Gets you excited. Remember that anticipation you have before a fun vacation? The planning, the dreaming about how it is going to be to see your kids/grandkids’ faces light up at Disney. Or how it is going to feel to lay on the beach before a beautiful blue ocean. “It can create an excitement deep in your soul and exposes the passion you thought you had lost many years ago.” [source]
Numero Tres
- Prevents you from forgetting about things your really want to do. Before I started this whole bucket list-making process, all of our weekends looked pretty much the same. Movie, McDonald’s. Now that I am bucket-listing, I seek out more unique experiences. Then I write them on my list so when May rolls around I won’t have forgotten that I wanted to participate in the Wicked Wine Run. “With a bucket list, you can write down the things that need remembering at the moment you are thinking about them. You can then have no worries about forgetting your thoughts or ideas because you’ve already documented them.” [source]
Y Numero Quatro
- Promotes a sense of accomplishment. I am a to-do list maker. Very few things in life feel as good to me as putting a check mark by an item on my daily list. And I list practically everything so I can do just that. Make the bed – ✔️; Eat breakfast – ✔️; Get dressed – ✔️. Making a list of fun things to accomplish feels even better. Try 2 new restaurants – ✔️ ; run a 5k – ✔️ ; get a pedi and a mani – ✔️. “In order to truly get motivated you need to know what you really want, and writing a bucket list will help to determine exactly what that is. These goals will then be the root of your motivation. Also, having any sort of list naturally inspires you to want to cross things off of it, whether it is simply your weekly grocery-shopping list, daily to-dos or a bucket list.” [source]
Still Not Convinced?
When Mary asked me to share a little bit about my bucket lists with her FB group, I tried something I had never done before. Used Facebook Live to talk about seasonal bucket lists. I have attached the video from that post below. It explains some of the psychology behind and the importance of having goals, dreams, bucket lists.
Your Turn
Now that you know more about why I ‘bucket-list’, you might like taking a look at some of my bucket lists from the past, especially if you are a new reader! My 2020 winter bucket list, 2019 autumn bucket list, and from this time, last year, 2019 spring bucket list.
Okay, so what do you say? Are you in? Blogger or not, won’t you give making a spring bucket list a try? Your list can be as simple as a couple of things you want to do once the weather is warmer. Pick weeds. And then plant flowers. Go for a walk in the park. Fly a kite. Or you could create a list on a theme. Purge your clothes. Buy replacements for old favorite pieces that are no longer in good shape. Donate clothes to Candlelighters. Try one new fashion trend.
One Last Thing
Before I let you go, just want to share 3 things I have learned from my personal experience with seasonal bucket lists.
- Enjoy the experiences. Even if they don’t go as planned. Or your plans have to change. Or perhaps you don’t even get everything accomplished. Be sure to enjoy the experience. Don’t get so caught up in trying to check everything off your list that you forget to smell the roses on your way.
- Use this not as a honey-do list but as a list of pleasurable experiences. In my example above, I did mention purging clothes (which is kind of fun for me). But along with something that might feel like a chore, I included some fun and rewarding activities. Buying replacement pieces for favorite clothes purged. And trying a new style trend.
- Add at least one altruistic experience. Pay it forward, make a donation, do something that makes your heart sing.
So, you in? I hope so!! Will be revealing my 2020 spring bucket list in 2 weeks. Gives you plenty of time to put together yours and to join me. You can even add my graphic to your list to make it ‘official’.
Thanks for coming by, sweet friends. Hope to see you again 03.21.2020.
Hugs and kisses,
I am also a list maker! It clears my head! I also make list for Gerben too! Lol! Happy Sunday!
Oh, how funny. Love that you make lists for Gerben. I think PC would knock me in the head if I gave him a list. Ha!!
I AM convinced. I am going to start making a spring bucket list. I love reason #3. How many times have I thought “That’s something I would love to do”, only to forget it because I didn’t write it down!
YAY YOU!!! So glad you are convinced to try a bucket list. They have made all the difference in our personal life, and free time!
I really wish I could think broadly and create a bucket list. I read yours and feel so inspired. One of these days I’ll get there and make a bucket list!
xo,
Kellyann
Hope you will come join us…maybe this summer? Hope your mama and family are staying well, sweet friend.
I normally do these for every season, but this Winter, I kind of skipped over it. haha Oh well, I’m ready for Spring and more activities so I’ll definitely be doing one in a couple weeks.
-Lauren
So glad you are ready to create your spring bucket list. High five!! Hope you and your mom and sister are staying healthy.
Well, you have me convinced. I did it for awhile, but got out of the habit!! Yet I know that writing things down makes such a difference in many aspects of my life.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I hope you have put together your spring list. You have a whole knew world to explore now that you have moved to Arizona. And spring out there is so gorgeous. Hope your mama and Nancy are staying safe and well.
Hi Leslie! I did make a 2020 bucket list but like the idea of a seasonal one as well. I am inspired by your focus and tenacity of getting it done! Once I write it down, makes it legit for me and therefore I must see it through!
Come join me, Cathy!! Leave your list in a comment then come back on 04.21 and share your progress. XO
I love the video! That was fun to listen to.
I’m a great list maker and I guess that is a kind of, sort of, tiny bit of a bucket list?
I find that putting an intention to do something on my blog makes me fell that ‘now I HAVE to do it’!
My sweet friend, thank you. I am a great list maker, too. I knew I liked you for dozens of reasons. We are very similar.
I hate to jinx myself, but I am considering this again… I need to hold myself accountable and this may be the one way to do it… Thanks, Leslie!
Oh, I would be so tickled to have you join me again for a bucket list post. If not spring, maybe summer?
I enjoy making seasonal bucket lists!
I am so glad you make seasonal lists, too!! Thank you for being so sweet.
Hi Leslie! I did make a 2020 bucket list but a seasonal one is a good idea as well. Your focus and tenacity are infectious! I too am one of those “if I don’t write it down it won’t get done”. Lol..have a happy Spring.
Exactly…bucket lists just serve as a kind of external brain/memory for me. I forget everything these days. And often make lists, like grocery lists, then forget to look at them. How sad!! If you make up a seasonal bucket list. Please leave it in a comment. Then it will be out there to make you more accountable!!
All good reasons, Leslie, and I am going to try to get my act together for a seasonal bucket list in response to your “challenge.”
Oh, I hope you will draw up a list and link up with me, Nancy. I think bucket lists are so valuable. Look forward to reading yours.
I love creating bucket lists! I used to do one long one, but it overwhelmed me… so, I have my Cultivate What Matters planner, and I just down a few ideas each month of things I’d love to achieve or finish… but, I do try to look further out in the future for more difficult/time consuming goals. Great post!! I love the seasonal bucket lists and do one every summer. I hope to do one each season when life with the kids slows down a bit more. Their activities take up so much of our time!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
How are you guys? I have been thinking of you. Hope you are staying well and finding a way to keep the kids from climbing the walls. You guys are so busy under normal circumstances. I know it is weird to be home. Will be looking forward to your summer bucket list. Have you guys ever eaten at Melting Pot? Hoping, when things return to normal, we can try it.
Hi, Leslie – I have never made a Seasonal Bucket List….but the reasons that you have stated here are very compelling.
I do have a Travel Bucket List and your reasoning applies there as well.
Thank you for the inspiration!
I am certain your travel bucket list has some ambitious goals for visiting some pretty amazing places. Wish we could travel more. Maybe once Paul retires and we no longer have the constant concern about my mom.
I’m going to join you Leslie. I’m a big list maker and I’ve made a life bucket list but never thought to do a seasonal one. This has come at the perfect time for me. But as I’m in Australia mine will be an autumn bucket list #MLSTL Sharing
Hope you will link your autumn bucket list to our link up for spring. I have a few readers in Australia and they would love to have your list of activities to help plan their own. Thank you so much for taking time to stop by and leave a comment.
Hi Leslie – I loved seeing you “in not-so-real life” on the video. It’s always fun to hear people and see them as they truly are and it was very brave of you to create such a good one. I also really loved your cross collection in the background!
I’m not a bucket list person, atm I’m still just savouring not having anything planned – other than my usual weekly commitments. I volunteer, go to an exercise class, do Tai Chi, and then add in whatever surprises me along the way. Things might change down the track though when retirement isn’t such a novelty.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
Thank you for sharing my post on MLSTL.
Sounds like you keep busy and healthy with your regular activities. The bucket lists have just helped us to try new things. McD’s had become our go-to for every meal that we ate out. BORING. Fattening!! So these lists have helped us expand our horizons. Who knew you can get burgers at Whataburger, Burger King, Wendys!!
Lists are great – there’s nothing more satisfying than crossing items off! It’s Autumn in Australia so we’ll be planting a vegetable garden soon (we have a winter garden because Summer is too hot to grow a decent one). It’s my birthday month so my best friend and I will be spending the weekend in a nice resort (with our husbands) to celebrate. Other seasonal items will be changing my summer wardrobe over to my winter one (I love doing this) and packing up the summer items like pool floaties etc. It’s nice that our long hot summer is finally over and we’re heading into winter – our winters here are lovely. Thanks for a thought-provoking post!
So nice to meet you, Christina. Thank you for visiting and leaving such a thoughtful comment. Glad to read your plans as you move into autumn in Australia. Your weekend retreat and birthday celebration sounds delightful. We enjoyed a long weekend away but came home to have the coronavirus to deal with. We have very hot summers here in El Paso, Texas. I enjoy spring and fall but summer is very dry and HOT!
Wait! Did you tell me that you were a librarian and I just overlooked it?!?! YAY! I’ve been just about every kind of librarian but that. I’ve been a library director and a reference librarian. I loved reference. Anyway, I’m looking forward to the spring bucket list challenge. Ever since you mentioned it I’ve been thinking about the things I want to include. And now after reading your post, I know there are things that I’ll add to my summer bucket list too! I’m excited about this. Can’t wait. 🤍🤍
So glad you are excited about the bucket list posts. They have really changed our free time. We are trying new things and ‘living’ more!
I worked a brief stint as a public librarian, several years as a high school librarian but most of my career, I was an elementary school librarian. Best job ever. And I still miss it.