Retirement is the one guaranteed time in your life when you can have the freedom, time and opportunity to live out your wildest dreams.
When you retire, it is very common to reflect on your life accomplishments, as well as think about the things you never had the chance to do. So use your retirement as an opportunity to accomplish all of the things you’ve ever wanted to, but never had time for or never been brave enough to!
There is no such thing as “the right time” to do something, and there is no guarantee of time. Life is so uncertain, no matter what age you are. Who knows if in one, five or ten years you will be physically, emotionally, financially, or logistically in a position to fulfil everything that you want to? So, make sure to make a bucket list that will help you create a life you’re excited to be living.
It’s completely up to you how you fill your bucket list, but I would suggest starting the list small. Fill it with around 10 initial ideas, and add more as you tick others off. This way, it doesn’t feel overwhelming knowing where to start or like you’ll never achieve everything on the list. You can even create separate lists for different goals, such as a “travel bucket list” and a “personal achievements bucket list”.
Once you’ve made your bucket list, put it up somewhere where you can see it often so you are inspired to make things happen! As you’re creating your bucket list, it can be super helpful to share it with your friends and family. Not only will they most likely share some new ideas with you, but it is also a great way for them to provide you with accountability and encouragement.
Making a bucket list is your permission slip to dream big, reach beyond your limits, and be overly ambitious with lifelong goals. Be realistic to an extent, but also realize that you are capable of doing so much more than you think you can.
Ready to get writing your bucket list? Here are the ultimate inspirational ideas to help you to create the perfect list of things to live your life to the fullest before you “kick the bucket”.
- Write a Book
- See the Northern Lights
- Rescue an Animal
- Fly in a Helicopter
- Visit all the 50 states in the US
- Spend the Night in a Haunted Castle
- Hike the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Coast Trail
- Enter a Sporting Event (run a marathon, or a triathlon!)
- Witness a Solar Eclipse
- Travel around Europe in a Camper Van
- Fly in a Helicopter
- Volunteer for Charity
- Visit all Seven Continents
- Go on Safari
- Learn a Foreign Language
- Try an Extreme Sport (such as Skydiving or Paragliding)
- Have Afternoon Tea at The Ritz
- Gamble in Las Vegas
- Learn to Play a Musical Instrument
- Restore a Vintage Car
- See all of the Seven Wonders of the World
- Research Your Family Tree
- Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
- Stand Under the Hollywood Sign in California
- Take a Caribbean Cruise
- Learn how to Surf
- Ride the Trans-Siberian Railway
- Go White Water Rafting
- Become a Volunteer Fire Fighter
- Stay at an Ice Hotel
- Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
- Have a White Christmas
- Take Your Grandchildren to Disney Land
- Listen to Jazz music in New Orleans
- Go on a Road Trip
- Be a Contestant on a TV or Radio Game Show
- Eat at a Michelin Star Restaurant
- See a Broadway Musical
- Drink a Beer at Oktoberfest in Germany
- Reconnect with your Childhood Friends
- Be an Extra in a Movie
- Do Volunteer Work
- Go Back to School
- Donate Blood
No matter how adventurous you are, or what brings you joy, there are endless ways of filling your retirement with the things that you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time for.
Creating your bucket list is just the start! You can add to it as time goes on, and tick things off as you achieve them. I hope this list inspires you to create your very own bucket list that is beyond your wildest dreams.
What is on your bucket list? I would love to hear! Please share with me in the comments.