Written by Rhian Hunter
The idea behind a bucket list, is to create a list of things you hope to do before you kick the bucket, simply put, it is a collection of goals, dreams and aspirations that you would like to accomplish within your lifetime.
No-one could have known that the coronavirus would shut the world down, and amidst the pandemic, and the contemplation that’s followed during and after lockdown, some of us may be needing to retool our bucket lists.
Now there is nothing inherently wrong with still adding things that involve travelling, after all, it’s your list and the things you want to achieve have relevance and importance to you in their own unique way.
But until the world resumes back to its new kind of normal, here are some ideas that don’t require anything that is beyond yourselves:
DON’T WASTE TIME:
When I’m feeling stretched, overwhelmed, and like I never have time, I stop and revaluate where I’m directing my time ( or wasting it ). Time is my most valuable resource and I treat it like currency.
Your day, just like everyone else’s, is 24 hours, how you choose to plan, prioritise, and spend the hours you have determines what you can squeeze in. I’m a planner prepper. It takes me a good 2 hours at the start of the week to plan meals, grocery shop and do a little bit of food prep. That 2 hours at the beginning of the week, saves me so much time every day. Time that can then be spent doing things that make me happy; playing with my kids, hanging with my hubby or exercising.
Also, it’s okay to say NO to something, if that something is going to steal more time from you. For example, adding too many things to your to do list, meeting up with friends, or running an errand.
HAVE THE COURAGE TO LIVE TRUE TO YOURSELF:
Life is too short to be living it based on the opinions of what others consider to be good and bad, or by comparing yourself to others. What we see in our minds is not what truly exists outside our minds, in other words; what the next person perceives as good or bad, may differ from your perception, so it’s important to do things that are aligned with what is most important to you.
CREATE RITUALS:
Creating specific routines or as I prefer to call ‘rituals’ that you can perform day in and day out, it is a great way to create positive energy management. Rituals give us a feeling of going beyond the ordinary, of having a moment that transcends that, turning a daily something into something that is sacred and meaningful. For me, that ritual is making a LOV Matè for myself, and a warm cacao for the girls, sitting up on the couch together with them and having a snuggle with total presence. It completely changes the way I think and feel about being awake at 4:30am, and having those tiny arms wrapped around me is the best feeling starting the day.
DO THINGS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD:
Science tells us that the following themes can influence levels of happiness:
• Practicing gratitude
• Random acts of kindness
• Practicing discipline
• Creating + Committing to goals
• Being Optimistic
• Learning to forgive
These are just to name a few, not to say they will bring happiness to everyone, perhaps a glass of wine a week with your best gal pal is what lifts the corners of your mouth. Seek out the things that bring you happiness and do them!
Whatever the reason, be it your health, a new year, or simply post-covid, take the time to think outside the bucket and revise your list.