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At the time this episode goes live, everyone is starting to get excited to enter a new season. The Target shelves are filled with pumpkin spice candles, fall wreaths, and back-to-school supplies galore. Fall is my absolute favorite season for so many reasons. It’s a season of routine, reflection, and winding down, which is why I thought it would be the perfect season to introduce this concept of the “seasonal bucket list”.
What’s a Seasonal Bucket List?
You’ve probably heard of bucket lists, and have maybe even made one yourself. A bucket list is just a list of experiences or goals that you want to check off your list before you “kick the bucket”. Usually, these are the types of experiences or goals that won’t get prioritized in your life unless you make an effort to pay special attention to them.
I mean when is skydiving or hiking the Grand Canyon really ever going to be the most urgent thing on your to-do list? Creating a bucket list can help motivate and inspire you to start truly living and experiencing your life, take some risks, get out of your day-to-day routine, and take advantage of the time you have here on Earth. In other words, bucket lists can inspire you to live more intentionally and focus on things that matter to you. But what if we could infuse that same sense of purpose and excitement into our everyday lives, without waiting for a far-off someday?
A couple years ago, I decided to take this concept to the next level by creating a seasonal bucket list for myself. In the Midwest, each season has unique opportunities that have clear expiration dates: the water parks will close for the summer, the pumpkin patch will get picked over, the snow will melt, and the flowers will stop blooming. And honestly, I was sick of entering a new season with a ton of excitement, and then looking back and realizing I didn’t do a lot of the things that I was really excited about doing that season. Instead of continuing to tell myself “next year, next year” I started going about this differently and creating a seasonal bucket list for myself.
And in this episode, I’m going to share with you my process for creating a seasonal bucket list so you can lean into fall and live just a little more intentionally this season. You can also download a free Seasonal Bucket List Guide HERE to get the step-by-step summary sent to your inbox.
How to Create a Seasonal Bucket List: A Step-by-Step Guide
01. Brainstorm Ideas
Your journey towards more intentional living begins with brainstorming. This is a judgement free zone. Start by brainstorming and writing down all of the activities and experiences you could do in the upcoming season. Here are a few categories to consider to get your ideas flowing:
Adventures: From hiking and biking to skiing and sledding, how can you embrace the outdoors and explore the beauty of this season?
Season-Specific Activities: Dive into activities that are uniquely available during this season, like gardening, apple picking, sledding, or savoring a pumpkin spice latte.
Food and Restaurants: Are there any restaurants you’ve been dying to try out? Savor the flavors of the season by trying out dishes like apple pie, warm soups, or seasonal drinks.
Travel: Whether it’s a spontaneous weekend getaway or planning a dream vacation, traveling during any season can be exceptionally rewarding.
Learning a New Skill: Use the season to learn a new skill you’ve always wanted to master, like painting or playing a musical instrument.
Events: Attend local events, concerts, or movie screenings that align with the spirit of the season.
Books: Some books just hit differently season by season. Are there any must-reads to add to your seasonal bucket list?
Holidays: Incorporate special occasions like Halloween and Thanksgiving into your list to fully immerse yourself in the festivities.
02. Narrow down your Ideas and Select Reasonable Amount
Just to warn you – your brainstorming session might make you ridiculously excited to enter this new season and cross off a million things on your bucket list. But consider the amount of time you have in your schedule this season, and make a realistic commitment that you can stick to. In most seasons, I choose between 3 to 5 items for my bucket list, depending on how busy I am and how much time each item takes up. This allows you to wholeheartedly focus on each experience without feeling overwhelmed.
03. Put Them in Your Calendar
Remember, what gets scheduled gets done! Incorporate your seasonal bucket list items into your calendar to ensure they receive the attention they deserve. Whether it’s a weekend hiking trip, a painting class, or a cozy evening with a good book, setting dates for these experiences increases the likelihood of actually following through with them.
Putting the Concept into Action: My Fall Bucket List
To illustrate how the seasonal bucket list can transform your fall schedule, here’s a glimpse into my own list for this season:
Bake an Apple Pie: I’m planning to get hand-picked apples from Wilson’s Apple Orchard to make an apple pie from scratch. I’ve never done this before, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to learn how to do!
Decorate my Porch: As a minimalist, I’m not big on seasonal decorations, but I do really enjoy getting pumpkins and mums for fall! This always seems to be a last minute thing that I don’t get to enjoy for very long, so this year I’m scheduling it in earlier.
Host a Bonfire Party: We don’t use our backyard nearly as often as we should, but I really want to throw a fall-themed backyard bonfire with hot apple cider (maybe a splash of whiskey), s’mores, and a soup contest.
Embrace the Football Spirit: In Iowa City, football season is a big deal, and I don’t want to miss out this year. Whether it’s tailgating, grabbing tickets, or hosting a football party, I’m going to schedule in a day to enjoy a game.
Plan a Fall Getaway: We’re due to schedule a vacation this fall, and I know that I need to plan now if I want to make it happen!
Dive into Each New Season with Purpose and Intention
As we say goodbye to summer and welcome the crisp air of fall, the seasonal bucket list invites us to embrace the unique opportunities this season offers. By crafting a collection of intentional experiences, we can infuse each season with more joy, growth, and fulfillment. So, grab your favorite cozy blanket, sip on that pumpkin spice latte, and take a moment to reflect on what experiences will make this fall truly magical for you.
Ready to embark on your own journey more intentionality?
Dive into the full episode on creating a seasonal bucket list to gather insights and tips that will empower you to live this season to the fullest. Download the free guide linked here to access a step-by-step summary of the process with more ideas and activities.
Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode
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