Is retirement everything you’ve hoped for, or do you find yourself bored, lonely, or depressed with too much empty time on your hands?
If you feel like you need something to look forward to, creating a bucket list will help give you purpose during your golden years. Working to check off the items on your bucket list can also give you a great deal of personal satisfaction. Find out what exactly a bucket list is, why you need one, and what kinds of activities you might want to include on your bucket list.
What is a Bucket List?
A bucket list is a list of specific things you want to do or experience before you pass away. Often, terminally ill individuals will create a bucket list of things that are important to them to accomplish before dying. However, you don’t have to be on death’s door to create a bucket list.
A bucket list can be a great way to infuse some excitement and purpose into your senior years. By writing down the things you wish to accomplish, you’ll be more likely to actually do them.
Why Do You Need a Bucket List?
Too much empty, unoccupied time on your hands can leave you feeling restless and unfulfilled. You may feel you have no direction without the structure of work or raising a family. Sometimes, this idle time can lead to depression and loneliness.
Creating a bucket list can give you a renewed sense of purpose. By writing down all the things you hope to accomplish, places you wish to travel, things you wish to experience, or people you want to spend more time with, you can establish a clear path for your senior years.
As you work through your list, crossing off bucket list items will give you a significant sense of accomplishment. You’ll feel good knowing that you’re doing the things most important to you. You will enjoy life more and feel more inspired about the time you have left.
Also, having a bucket list and strategically working through it will keep your mind and body occupied. Research also shows that a busy mind stays healthy for longer.
What Should You Include on Your Bucket List?
Your bucket list is your own – you can include anything you want. The items on your bucket list should be things you care about, not things someone else wants you to do. Common items on a bucket list include:
- Hobbies: You’re never too old to learn a new hobby. If you’re up to teaching yourself, you can learn a lot of things at home yourself. If you’d rather take lessons, most communities have senior centers that offer activities like crafting, quilting, music classes, theater, dancing, and more.
- Travel: Many people look forward to traveling when they retire. If you have the means, add some different locations to your bucket list. Experiencing new places can help you appreciate the beauty of life. If you’d like to travel in a group, there are a lot of options for senior travel groups.
- Skills or Education: Now is the perfect time to work on developing a new skill or pursuing additional education. Have you always wanted to do woodworking? Dedicate some time to learning how. Or maybe you’ve always wished you had the time to learn a new language. Now is the perfect opportunity to dedicate some time to deepening your knowledge base.
- Volunteer: Volunteering is a wonderfully fulfilling way to spend time. Not only does volunteering keep you active and give you purpose, it’s something you can feel really good about. Contributing your time to a good cause or to help others will also help you have better health in your senior years.
- Other Life Priorities: Maybe there are particular people you want to spend more time with. Put them on your bucket list to make sure those relationships are prioritized. Or perhaps you want to try an activity that is scary and exhilarating, such as skydiving, bungee jumping, riding in a hot air balloon, or paragliding.
Other things to consider adding to your bucket list:
- Read more books
- Write a memoir or personal history
- Adopt a pet
- Try new foods
- Start a garden
- Visit the 7 Wonders of the World
- Start an exercise program
- Ride a zipline
- Get a tattoo
- Forgive someone
- Make a new friend
- Sing karaoke
How to Create Your Bucket List
If you’re not sure where to start, it can be helpful to ask yourself some questions:
- What were my dreams and goals as a child?
- Is there anything I’ve always wanted to do but haven’t?
- What kinds of activities give me the most pleasure?
- Is there somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit?
- Is there anything I will regret NOT having done during my life?
Once you’ve got some ideas, get out a pen and paper and start brainstorming. Set a timer for five or ten minutes. Write down everything you can think you may want to do.
When the timer goes off, survey your ideas. If you want, you can categorize them or number them in order of importance. Though it’s not necessary to write down your bucket list, it can be a useful reference if you’re worried you might forget something, or you simply like to check things off.
When creating your bucket list, it’s also useful to keep in mind the following:
- Include things you can do for free or cheap
- List things that you can do without leaving your hometown
- Make sure the items on your list are things that are within your means
- Involve others in your bucket list for an added bonus
- Have a variety of big things and small things
Turn to Americo Senior Life for Your Whole Life Insurance Needs
When you’re writing out your bucket list, be sure to include purchasing a whole life insurance senior policy from Americo Senior Life. Whole life insurance for seniors provides you and your family financial security. With a whole life insurance policy, you won’t have to worry about how your family will pay your final expenses, giving you more time and energy to thoroughly enjoy your bucket list activities.
Getting the whole life insurance coverage you need has never been easier. When you’re ready, apply online using our fast, easy, and secure online portal.