Published April 24, 2025
“I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places, the things that I did
With every broken bone, I swear I lived” – By the band OneRepublic, “I Lived”
Today is National Bucket List Day! Let this be a reminder that it is never too late, we should not be afraid to try new things, and we have to be intentional about living our best lives.
We’ve all heard the saying “life is too short.” Well, what are you going to do about it? Do you ever think about how you are going to spend the rest of your time here on earth? If we are not focused on living intentionally, we might be merely existing. You’ve heard me say before that we shouldn’t just exist. Day in, day out…the same old routine. NOPE! Rather, let’s be adventurous and enjoy the ride! Especially after a hardship. Especially after a loss.
What is a bucket list, you ask? It’s a list of things a person wants to do but has never experienced before. They could be goals, vacation destinations, or thrilling activities that you’d like to accomplish during your lifetime. Your list will be unique to you! Everyone will have different interests and aspirations. Your possibilities are endless!
Start your bucket list sooner in life, don’t wait! Some of your ideas could require financial planning and therefore take time to achieve. Other ideas can be simpler yet require time to evolve. Don’t wait or otherwise your opportunity could slip by.
Let me provide the example of my mom. She was divorced over 30 years ago, did not date much and never got re-married. She had been waiting for my sister and I to travel with her for most of those years. However, it was really difficult for us as we were both raising our families. We kept telling her to go without us, to get out there and explore. Well, now she’s 80 with mobility issues and has some health concerns. She has regrets of not traveling when she was younger. Let’s learn from that.
If your plan is to wait until you retire to take THAT trip, do you really know for sure that you’ll be around? I know that every single one of us can name someone who has died before the age of 65. Doesn’t that put things in perspective? Truly, none of us know our path. You may think you know, but that path you are planning is never guaranteed. (Read more about this on my blog “What Path Are You On?” from earlier this year.)
So let’s get started! If you’re looking for ideas, here are some to get you thinking. But remember, no idea is too big or too small.
- Visit all 7 continents
- Tour all 50 states
- Take a hot air balloon ride
- Go on a cruise
- Learn how to surf
- Take a sky dive
- Write a book
- Earn your Masters degree or PhD
- Start a business
- Take your dream vacation
- Attend a Super Bowl game
- Get a tattoo
- Swim with dolphins
- Learn how to play an instrument
- Paint your masterpiece of art
- Grow your own vegetable garden and cook from it
- Learn a new language
- Run a marathon or half marathon
- See a show on Broadway
- Go to New York City for a special event such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade
- Do a podcast
- Learn to dance a certain style – such as ballet or tap
Now that you have some ideas to start with, write them down in a journal. Listing them out will make it feel more real. You can add notes as you go along. Once you’ve achieved an item on your bucket list, you can journal about the experience and keep everything in one place. It can become your planning and gratitude journal!
If you have questions about a travel destination or need help planning your dream vacation, Click Here to connect with my friend and travel agent. She can help you plan the perfect trip! It won’t cost you anything to ask her questions or plan that dream vacation. If a beach vacation to Hilton Head Island is on your bucket list, check out this VRBO Link for details and contact me with questions or to book.
So what are some items on your bucket list? Can you share one of them with us? For me, I’d like to write a book. Also on my list is to take a river boat cruise. Let’s encourage each other with our ideas! Comment below, email me at inquiry@sincerelyjulie.com, or find me on Instagram @sincerelyjulie_joyful_living
“I Lived” Song by OneRepublic 2013
Hope when you take that jump
You don’t fear the fall
Hope when the water rises
You built a wall
Hope when the crowd screams out
It’s screaming your name
Hope if everybody runs
You choose to stay
Hope that you fall in love
And it hurts so bad
The only way you can know
You give it all you have
And I hope that you don’t suffer
But take the pain
Hope when the moment comes you’ll say
I, I did it all
I, I did it all
I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places
The things I did
Yeah, with every broken bone
I swear I lived
Hope that you spend your days
But they all add up
And when that sun goes down
Hope you raise your cup
Oh, oh
I wish that I could witness
All your joy
And all your pain
But until my moment comes, I’ll say
I, I did it all
I, I did it all
I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places
The things I did
Yeah, with every broken bone
I lived
