Do you have a bucket list?

Lets talk about the bucket list:

 

Do you have a bucket list? If so, did you write it down? Make it official? It is said that dreams become goals when you write them down. I even found a website where you can create and track your bucket list, get inspired by others’ goals and see how they have achieved their goals as well. Evidently you can share your goals on the website and keep track of who does what. Kind of like a calorie counter for your bucket list! All kidding aside I can see where it could be fun and empowering to share your personal bucket list with other people. However… if you think I am sharing my entire list today please do not be disappointed, because I am not. But I will give you a peek into my idea of how to organize the list.

How this all began…

When my children were grown and in college and when my nest emptied out for the last time, it was a difficult period in my life. I missed my kids terribly and felt like I was running in circles most of the time, not sure what to do next. I was envious of other Moms who seemed to have their act together. I was mopey and whiny and felt a bit directionless. I am typically an outgoing and happy person, but I just couldn’t focus. I spent a lot of time alone, contemplating my future. What did I really want to do with my life? How can I be the happiest me I can be?

I then expanded upon this notion and deduced that millions of other empty nesters are contemplating the same kinds of thoughts. They could all have the same fears, questions and indecisiveness that I had. Consequently, I managed to hatch one more bird in the nest: Adventures of Empty Nesters: The Blog. A website designed to bring together a community of empty nesters where we can share all of our experiences.

Starting this blog has been a bucket list item of sorts. It has also been challenging, rewarding, exciting, scary, fulfilling, exhilarating and self esteem building. Who wants to feel exhilarated at 52 years old? ME!

Since I have created AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com my life has been enriched by leaps and bounds. In the past five months, I have connected with longtime friends and made terrific new friends along the way. I have happily discovered a wonderfully creative writer/friend and empty nester, named Kim, who lives in Northern California. She writes a delightful blog called Fifty Fifty Vision. While I was writing this post, she was simultaneously sharing her bucket list for all the world to see on her blog. Bravo to Kim! Great minds do think alike, don’t they?

Although I have not physically written my list down like Kim has, it seems to be constantly floating about in my head. There are lots of things I personally want to accomplish during this second “adventurous” phase of my life. I believe (when I actually write it down) I will divide my list into three parts: Places I have always wanted to see/go; Things I have always wanted to experience; and Things I have always wanted to do (personally).

My birthday is next week and my thoughtful husband of 30 years is generously giving me something that is almost at the very top of my elusive bucket list. He is taking me to The French Laundry, one of the most incredible restaurants in the world. As a self proclaimed foodie, dining at the French Laundry in the Napa Valley has always been on my bucket list, but it was the kind of dream that I truly didn’t think would ever happen. The reservations are nearly impossible to obtain, and it is outrageously expensive (but worth every nickel).

Next Monday I will be experiencing the greatest meal of my life courtesy of my loving husband Craig and the divine chefs of The French Laundry. Scratch off one of the “Things I would like to experience list”!

 

 

How about you? Do you have any plans to write a bucket list?

All the best,

Suzanne