What Is a Bucket List and Why Do I Need One?
Today I have a
guest blogger, Melanie, a contributor on
the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance blog who has graced me with the concept of
the Bucket List. I like what she has to say on the topic.
Thank you Melanie.
Did
you see the movie “The Bucket List?” It is a wonderful movie about two
men who are faced with life threatening health situations. They each
create a list of things they want to accomplish in their life even in the face
of terrible circumstances. For many people who are faced with health
issues, such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, mesothelioma and others, a
challenging prognosis can be the inspiration
to take their life into their own hands and make their life goals a reality.
Make Your Own Bucket List
Regardless of what challenges you face, you can create your own bucket list of things you want to accomplish in your life. A bucket list does not need to be some elaborate list of things that are impossible to ever accomplish. It can be made up of both large and small things that you want to see happen in your life.
Start with small things. Make up a list of small everyday things that you want to accomplish. If one of your challenges is conquering simple daily activities, then include those things on your first small list. For example, you can make it a goal to walk around the block without stopping or maybe you want to be able to go grocery shopping without assistance. Include activities that you really want to be able to do, they may be a little challenging but you can realistically accomplish. This way, when you cross them off your list, you will feel a sense of satisfaction and achievement when you accomplish those goals.
Make a list of medium things that you want to accomplish. This bucket list could include things that you might not want to do every day or even with regularity, but are milestone activities. For example, maybe you want to go see a local tourist attraction that you have never been to, even though it is local to you. Include some activities that you can accomplish entirely independently on your own and some things that you can share with other people. You may find that as you work your way through the list and cross things off, you also add other activities and goals that you look forward to accomplishing in the future. You also may find that the level of difficulty or challenge of your bucket list activities is changing as your abilities improve or you accomplish more things.
You can also make up a bucket list of major things you want to accomplish in your life. This list can include things that you have only imagined you might accomplish or are life-achieving goals. Examples include things like walking your daughter down the aisle at her wedding, see Paris in the spring, or write a novel or perform at a comedy club.
Writing down a bucket list gives you an actual list of things to accomplish, whether they are large things or small things. Even in the face of illness and physical challenges, there are things you can accomplish. As you mark things off your list, your sense of self-fulfillment and achievement will most likely improve your self-confidence and improve your mood; all good things in life, overall.
Make Your Own Bucket List
Regardless of what challenges you face, you can create your own bucket list of things you want to accomplish in your life. A bucket list does not need to be some elaborate list of things that are impossible to ever accomplish. It can be made up of both large and small things that you want to see happen in your life.
Start with small things. Make up a list of small everyday things that you want to accomplish. If one of your challenges is conquering simple daily activities, then include those things on your first small list. For example, you can make it a goal to walk around the block without stopping or maybe you want to be able to go grocery shopping without assistance. Include activities that you really want to be able to do, they may be a little challenging but you can realistically accomplish. This way, when you cross them off your list, you will feel a sense of satisfaction and achievement when you accomplish those goals.
Make a list of medium things that you want to accomplish. This bucket list could include things that you might not want to do every day or even with regularity, but are milestone activities. For example, maybe you want to go see a local tourist attraction that you have never been to, even though it is local to you. Include some activities that you can accomplish entirely independently on your own and some things that you can share with other people. You may find that as you work your way through the list and cross things off, you also add other activities and goals that you look forward to accomplishing in the future. You also may find that the level of difficulty or challenge of your bucket list activities is changing as your abilities improve or you accomplish more things.
You can also make up a bucket list of major things you want to accomplish in your life. This list can include things that you have only imagined you might accomplish or are life-achieving goals. Examples include things like walking your daughter down the aisle at her wedding, see Paris in the spring, or write a novel or perform at a comedy club.
Writing down a bucket list gives you an actual list of things to accomplish, whether they are large things or small things. Even in the face of illness and physical challenges, there are things you can accomplish. As you mark things off your list, your sense of self-fulfillment and achievement will most likely improve your self-confidence and improve your mood; all good things in life, overall.
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