The Merriam-Webster definition of a bucket list is “a list of things that one has not done before but wants to do before dying.” This post is a therapist bucket list with 26 professional achievement ideas for counselors and other mental health workers!
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.“
Discover a new hobby with this diverse list of assorted leisure activities, which range from beekeeping to Kombucha brewing to knife throwing to ghost hunting.
I developed this list (with the help of Wikipedia, and Google, of course) as part of a project I was working on and thought it would be worth sharing. (Click below for a PDF version of this list.)
Participate in competitive food festivals (or just go and enjoy the food!)
Pasta making
Pastry and confection making
Pickling
Pie making
Raw diet meals
Recreate menu items from your favorite restaurants
Reduced fat cooking
Sautéing
Slow cooker meals
Smoothie making
Soup, sauce, and stock making
Sushi making
Take a cooking class
Tea brewing
Try new recipes on a regular basis
Use an air fryer
Use a dehydrator
Use Pinterest for inspiration
Vegan cooking
Watch Food Network for inspiration
Entertainment
Attend movies, operas, plays, and musicals
Bingo
Board games and/or party games
Card games
Chess
Strategy games
Dine out at new restaurants
Escape rooms
Gaming
Go to museums
Go to poetry slams or open mic nights
Jigsaw puzzles
Karaoke
Murder mystery shows
Read entertainment/celebrity magazines
See your favorite bands/artists perform live
Standup comedy
Theme parks
Watch your favorite Netflix series, but make sure you become overly invested (borderline obsessed) with the story line and characters in order for this to qualify as a legit hobby
Home Improvement & DIY
Add a backsplash to your kitchen
Bathroom remodel
Build a shed
Build furniture
Design a meditation room, home office, “man cave,” or “she shed”
DIY headboard
Fireplace makeover
Hanging shelves
Home organization
Install smart home technology
Kitchen remodel
Paint an accent wall or update your entire home
Paint old cabinets
Redecorate a room
Stencil or wallpaper
Update a closet
Update furniture
Update lighting
Use chalk paint or metallic spray paint
Literature, Music, & Dance
Acting
Visit art galleries
Attend literary fests
Ballroom dancing
Belly dancing
Blogging/guest blogging
Break dancing
Editing
Go to book signings
Go to the library
Join a book club (either in-person or online, i.e. Goodreads)
Listen to music
Play/learn an instrument
Puppeteering
Rapping
Reading
Sell your art on etsy.com
Singing
Song writing
Submit articles/opinion pieces/essays to magazines and newspapers
Swing dancing
Take a dance class (swing, hip hop, ballroom, etc.)
A unique list of 37 ideas for personal growth; simple (and fun!) ways to lead a a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
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If we don’t strive to meet our goals and improve on a regular basis, we become stagnant. And if we aren’t growing and learning, our minds become lethargic. This is an article about 37 simple things you can do to prevent stagnation for a more meaningful life.
According the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), there are eight dimensions of wellness:
1. Emotional—Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships
2. Environmental—Good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being
3. Financial—Satisfaction with current and future financial situations
4. Intellectual—Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills
5. Occupational—Personal satisfaction and enrichment from one’s work
6. Physical—Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep
7. Social—Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system
8. Spiritual—Expanding a sense of purpose and meaning in life
Find additional SAMHSA links in the Links section of this site. SAMHSA is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
In order to maintain balance and live a meaningful life, it helps to have a variety of wellness strategies in your toolbox. The following list is comprised of 37 ideas for personal/professional development, self-improvement, and creating healthy habits.
37 Simple Things You Can Do for a More Meaningful Life
1. Read one inspirational/motivational book per month or
2. Read one wellness article per week for a more meaningful life.
3. Take advantage of free classes offered at the library or through Coursera. (Coursera provides universal access to education by partnering with top universities and organizations.)
4. Take part in a new activity or event to step outside your comfort zone. (Examples: Join a book club, take a cooking class, attend a Meetup, etc.)
5. Make time for an old friend for a more meaningful life.
6. Develop an exercise routine, write it down, and then stick with it. No excuses!
7. Walk your dog (or borrow one from a friend!)
8. Complete household tasks and chores on a daily basis. Create a chore list. Don’t procrastinate!
9. Stay informed on the latest science and health news/research with sites like Science Daily.
10. Attend a workshop to learn about a topic you’re unfamiliar with.
12. Improve your posture. (And yes, there are apps for that!)
13. Read a non-fiction book.
14. Take a daily inventory; assess your attitude, productivity, etc. before going to bed.
15. Drink more water, green tea, and black coffee. (And drink less wine, beer, sugar-sweetened beverages, and soda!)
16. Practice active listening.
17. Overcome a fear.
18. Identify your “blind spots” by soliciting feedback from a trusted friend or loved one. They can help you to recognize areas for improvement by sharing their observations. (Example: You may not realize how often you complain until someone points it out for you.) Make a commitment to change.
19. Find a mentor (or be a mentor!)
20. Complete a 30-day challenge to improve your mental and/or physical health.
21. Live a meaningful life with daily meditation and mindfulness. Spend a few quiet moments alone every morning, drinking a cup of coffee. Or journal before going to bed. Reflect on your day and think about what you’re grateful for. Practice deep breathing exercises or listen to guided imagery scripts. Create your own unique ritual.
22. Dress up, style your hair, apply makeup, get a manicure/pedicure/facial, wear sexy shoes or your favorite jacket… Alternatively, you may prefer to put on your comfiest clothes, sweatpants or a fuzzy sweater. Whatever makes you feel good!
23. Be optimistic. Catch yourself if you start complaining and reframe your thoughts. Always assume positive intent.
24. Complete a task you’ve been putting off.
25. Watch a TED Talks.
26. Cook and enjoy a healthy meal.
27. Learn to juggle.
28. Learn a foreign language (or sign language).
29. Practice random acts of kindness, give a spontaneous gift, or help a stranger.
30. Create a vision board.
31. Volunteer.
32. Be a tourist in your hometown. (Free walking tours are often available in larger cities!)
33. Donate blood or plasma.
34. Memorize the lyrics to a song (or rap) of your choice.
35. Find a Pinterest project that interests you. Pin it and then do it!
36. Pick up trash in your neighborhood.
37. Write and mail “thinking of you” cards/postcards.
Additional ideas for a more meaningful life: Run a 5K (or 10K!) Adopt an elderly pet that needs a home.
Comment with your best ideas for living a more meaningful life.
A unique list of wellness-based thirty-day challenges.
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There are plenty of 30-day challenges out there, but this post is unique in that all of the challenges listed are wellness-based. This is a list of 30 exciting ideas for thirty-day challenges.
30 Thirty-Day Challenges
Difficulty Level – Easy
1. Give one compliment per day
2. 30 days of flossing
3. Five minutes of mindful breathing every day
4. 30 days of gratitude journaling
5. Set sleep schedule for 30 days
6. 30 days of Matcha or green tea
7. Learn a new vocabulary word every day for 30 days
8. Daily act of kindness
9. Read a random Wikipedia article every day for 30 days
10. 30-day dog walk challenge
11. Write a daily poem or short story
12. No cursing for 30 days
13. Pray (or spend time in quiet reflection) every morning
