The notion of a bucket list became popular with the movie of the same name starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. The premise is a good one- what would you do if you only had a half year or less to live? From this came the making of one’s “bucket list” and more importantly the executing of all things on that list.
Having been through a “life change” as a divorced friend of mine puts it, we are offered a blank slate (and a broken slate and a crippling slate and a shattered slate, as side dishes) that might allow us to start over with all the eventual clarity but none of the morbid finality of a terminal illness.
Once over the difficult transition, it might seem like a good time to start a bucket list and to get on with it.
How do we arrive at this list and then how do we strike things off?
Arriving at the list is easier than you think. You will not be given a grade; there are no mistakes, so check your inhibitions at the door. Forget the teacher who said you couldn’t or what your mom wanted for you or what your neighbour makes you feel you should want. Carry a little book, or have a file on your PDA for jotting down stuff it would break your heart not to do. Make sure there is a notepad beside your bed as ideas will come to you in your sleep.
Equally important to what you love doing is what you do not want to do- Knowing what you don’t want helps to define what you do want. This may include not being alone or conversely, never marrying again, having a home by the sea, never having one in a sub division, writing a book or never book keeping. It may include getting back with an old boyfriend or never getting back with your ex wife. It might be simple like eating better or cooking more. It might be dramatic like losing half your body weight or overcoming a fear.
the bones of the bucket list-
1.the list shapes easily with headings-work,play,relationships/family,dough,faith,physical and random.
2. the list must be be specific-if it isn’t clear it can’t be realized.
3. the list needs stepping stones-critical path is needed to acheive items on bucket list
4. the list needs support– enlist encouragers-you need specific people to help you get there.
5.Remember bucket list mantra is one step at a time. A list is pretty but striking the list is magnificent.
The most important thing I can say about this is write it down. This commits it to memory and if you look to it frequently it will be realised. I had a list a few years ago and recently came across it to find all of it had been achieved. It is either magic or the list was too easy.
Time for a new bucket list.
want more bucket list?click here for new urbanmoms post on this same theme
I love the notion of a “bucketlist”. I think that most women go through this process after a divorce. It is like a complete new beginning. After I got divorced I went through a complete transformation. It started with taking care of me again. Looking good meant feeling good!
Even though it has been two years since my divorce I am even more resolute now than ever that i need to do everything that I have always wanted too. I have a list and I put them in order of which ones are the most important to me.
The ones that are currently in progress right now are the addition of a 3/4 arm sleeve tattoo and training for my first fitness competition (even at the age of 31!)
I have to admit that as rough as the divorce was (even though I was the one who left) I feel very blessed to have gone through it as it has fashioned the woman I am today!