So, retirement is a time to worry about what is really important — travel, education, things that actually matter. But how do you put together a retirement bucket list that motivates you and keeps you focused over the long-haul? Deciding what to do with your life in retirement is tricky for many, and it may take time to unearth activities that will bring both pleasure and energy to the post-career years. The secret to how to create a retirement bucket list is to ensure your list incorporates your interests, dreams and ambitions. So talking about how to create the retirement bucket list of your dreams makes your golden years their best yet! Especially for people who would like to travel, learn a skill or volunteer.
Here’s how to create a retirement bucket list that ensures those dreams remain within reach.
Enough talking and dreaming, lets make this happen!
The Bucket List: How It Was Invented
The phrase “bucket list,” which had become so ubiquitous in travel that it had reattached itself to a 2007 movie called The Bucket List, in which Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman sorted it all out. The film revolves around two terminally ill men who attempt to check off items on a list of things they want to do before they “kick the bucket.” The expression, however, predates the film, coming from the older English phrase “to kick the bucket,” which also means to die.
Though the bucket list phrase was likely born from the concept of death, it can also, by definition, pertain to living life in full. This isn’t merely a what to do before you die problem, it’s a pursuing the things that make living richer, more thrilling and fulfilling issue.
Linda’s story: For years she had talked herself out of it, telling herself that she was “too old,” until she read about someone who wasn’t, in a local news story about a woman in her 70s who hiked Mount Kilimanjaro for her favourite charity. Linda made inquiries, joined a walking club and weeks later she was covering miles with confidence and agility. It wasn’t merely a desire to experience adventures; her bucket list was a means to reassure herself that age has no limits.
Challenge: What is something you always wanted to do but haven’t done yet?
Why Should You Maintain a Bucket-List?
A bucket list isn’t some random collection of interesting wish lists; it can give you some direction, some excitement, and even some new motivation and purpose to your life. Purpose, they say never retires. Developing and sustaining personal goals Bucket lists throughout life is found to be better for one’s overall well-being and satisfaction in later life (Harvard Health).
Here are some of the ways they can help:
It prompts you to reflect: Creating a bucket list entails analysing what matters to you, and that process helps you clarify your goals, your values and what you care about.
Intentions: An intention gives your desire a formal name, attaches meaning to it, gives you a target, and motivates you to action in the pursuit of your dreams.
Confidence Builder: Every time you tick something off your list, you are building your confidence; showing yourself that you can do what you set out to do.
Fostering Growth: Many bucket list items is usually linked to learning more about either others, places or experiences, all of which, by necessity require an area for growth or adaptability.
Motivation: Nothing is more motivating like working toward your list; even slight obstacles or disappointments teach patience and resilience, which are strengthening emotional muscle. Rich experiences is what we expect, and that is what makes life exciting!
Travelling – is another amazing adventure that many people add to their wishlists and can help generate memories that last a lifetime.
Bolsters Mental Health – Goals create a sense of achievement and avoid the retirement blues.
Enhances Relationships – We make memories when we do new activities with those we love.
How to Create a Retirement Bucket List in 6 Easy Steps
This is one of those fun and inspiring way of learning things. Here’s a guide to writing one, step by step:
Consider Your Interests and Passions: What makes you feel motivated, challenged or fulfilled? In travel, personal development, hobbies, dating, etc. — even through everyday acts of bravery.
Don’t pull any punches — this is your audition to think big, to think global.
Group Similar Items: Once you have brainstormed, you will want to group the notes (ideas) into themes (places you want to go, skills you want to learn, experiences you want to experience. Not only that, it provides you with a more cohesive and efficient list to take action on.
Set practical goals, but dream big: Have some unrealistic goals, and have some realistic ones. You need them for inspiration and room for expansion.
Rank your to do list — do what’s important to you or what’s needed first.
Break down big goals: If the goal appears to be very big or overwhelming, then to accomplish that on paper take some smaller steps. It will bring down a lofty aspirations and make them less overwhelming.
Be Creative and Make it Personal: Take some time to create a special and positive list; include why a goal inspired you or offer visuals or illustrations to represent it and make it individual to you.
Revisit and Revise: As you get older life changes — and so do the dreams we have. Amend your list from time to time, modify it or add new things.
Celebrate your Accomplishment: Take a moment and celebrate what you have achieved as you cross something off. It will encourage you to persist!
20 Experiences to Add to Your Retirement Bucket List
1. Travel to a Dream Destination
Visit the places you always wanted to go — maybe the breathtaking landscapes, including towering mountains and massive glaciers in Patagonia, Chile & Argentina, the Northern Lights, a safari in Africa, a river cruise in Europe.
2. Take a Luxury Cruise
An easy way to visit beautiful locations is through an ocean or river cruise.
3. Learn a New Skill
Learn how to play a musical instrument, a new language or a creative pastime.
4. Volunteer for a Cause
You may think you do not have time to volunteer; but you could be a force for good: mentor, work for charities or get involved with conservation projects.
5. Experience a Wellness Retreat
Recharge with a restorative yoga, spa or meditation retreat.
6. Reconnect with Loved Ones
Turn your adventure, reunion or get-together into something memorable.
7. Start a Passion Project
Put your longtime hobby to better use — write a book, start a blog or launch a small business.
8. Research Your Ancestry
With a DNA test, trace your roots or visit ancestral homelands.
9. Get Your Heart Rate Up
Sky diving, hot air balloon, zip lining. You are never too old for adventure!
10. Cook a Signature Dish
Make a recipe from another culture, or perfect a dish that you might share with family.
11. Prepare Yourself For A Physical Challenge
Run a marathon, bike a long-distance route or climb a significant mountain.
12. Be Part of a Major Cultural Tribute
Carnival in Brazil, Oktoberfest in Germany or Diwali in India.
13. Take an Epic Road Trip
Drive the great American road, Route 66, the Great Ocean Road (Australia) or the Amalfi Coast (Italy).
14. Learn a Traditional Dance
You might learn salsa dancing in Cuba, flamenco in Spain or ballroom dance steps in your local city.
15. Stay somewhere Unique
Stay in a treehouse, overwater bungalow or former castle.
16. Witness a Natural Wonder
You could take time at the Grand Canyon, Great Barrier Reef or Victoria Falls.
17. Meditation Or Mindfulness To Train Your Mind
The lessons of today prepare us for tomorrow, and we achieve peace by practicing meditation.
18. Take an Educational Tour
A museum, or a place of some historical significance you have always wanted to visit.
19. Create a Family Time Capsule
These ideas and others: Preserve memories for generations
20. Experience an Amazing Sun Up or Sun Down
An Angkor Wat sunrise (Cambodia) or Santorini sunset (Greece).
Conclusion
The decades of retirement are a chance to rediscover yourself, to see a whole new realm of possibilities, to do the things you have always dreamed of doing. None of that is possible without first widening your scope with a well-prepared retirement bucket list which acts as your compass and gives you something to look forward to every morning you wake up. Whether eating across the globe, picking up a new skill, donating to the community — all that you have on your list should really reflect what is important to you.
Your Next Step: Pick 5 bucket list items and take action towards making one of them happen today!
Seize the day – Embrace your dreams!
A retirement bucket list is all about action, not just idle dreaming! Do plan today and make the most out of every second.
Share The Love: If you found this useful, share this post to your friends and tag one who can start his/her retirement bucket list today!
What’s on the top of your retirement bucket list? Tell us in the comments — we can’t wait to hear!
