In 2007, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman starred in the movie, "The Bucket List." This fun film follows the older duo as they fulfill dreams they've always wanted to pursue, like skydiving, driving race cars and motorcycling along the Great Wall of China. If you've retired and have a lot of free time on your hands, why not start your own bucket list full of things to do, places to go and sights to see? Here are some tips:
Where do you want to go?
There are likely a few places where you have always wanted to travel. Maybe you never had the time while working and raising a family. Or perhaps money was too tight as you paid for college tuition, diapers and other necessities. Now is the perfect time to hit the road! Hop on a plane to Istanbul. Ride a train across the U.S. to see states you've never been. Take a cruise to polar or tropical regions! Go solo or invite your loved ones to make this a family affair.
What should you do?
You probably also have a few fun things you've always wanted to do. Perhaps you want to try something adrenaline inducing, like the characters in "The Bucket List" who jumped out of a plane and sped around in fancy cars. Maybe you've been meaning to call up a childhood friend to reconnect after many years. You might have been harboring a desire to take cooking classes and learn how to make the perfect brioche, creme brulee or sushi. You may even hope to try yoga, ride a tuk tuk or go ghost hunting. Sign up for those classes, make the calls and start knocking items off your list!
Who do you want to come along?
A bucket list is not just about going to foreign places and trying new things. A big part of it is the adventure of planning, getting ready and then finally heading out the door. Chances are, you'll want someone along with you for the ride. You could bring a close friend or fellow resident from your community. Perhaps you have kids that might like to accompany you. With an entire bucket list to go through, there are plenty of chances to bring along all the people you care about. You'll enjoy being out of your element as you do something you've never done before with a loved one at hand.
Not every bucket list is full of high-intensity activities. You don't have to go bungee jumping or get your pilot's license. Just write down all the things you want to do, places you hope to go and people you'd like to see and then get to it! Consider keeping a journal where you can write about your journeys and share photographs. These memories are tangible, and your record of achieving your list could quickly become a family treasure.
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