At some point, everyone creates an official or unofficial bucket list. For you, this could be a list of accomplishments or experiences you want to achieve during your lifetime. The demands of raising a family and growing a career often impede your ability to complete these goals. This makes retirement the perfect time to revisit these goals and check some of the things off your list.
Pursuing your passions by creating a Senior Living bucket list allows you to maximize your retirement years.
There are many reasons to create a bucket list during retirement.
First, having clear goals motivates you to live each day with purpose and a sense of adventure.
Secondly, it encourages you to evaluate your personal values. Your life goals today are likely vastly different from those in your 20s and 30s. Developing a new bucket list gives you time to reflect on your personal growth and set new goals.
Finally, staying active and prioritizing lifelong learning can boost your mental and physical well-being and improve your cognitive health.
Grandma Moses didn’t start her painting career until she was 78. Today, her masterpieces hang in museums throughout the world. Whether you’re 68 or 98, now's the time to take up a new hobby, such as painting, photography, cooking, or playing a musical instrument. Consider joining a club or using the retirement community’s amenities, including the gardens, art studio, and community theater.
Lifelong learning is essential to help seniors maintain an active lifestyle. Participating in classes, such as language lessons, digital courses, and lectures, can boost your brain health and allow you to socialize with other like-minded seniors.
Research consistently shows that the act of giving can increase the giver's happiness level. For this reason alone, volunteering and giving back should be key components of any Senior Living bucket list.
Consider volunteering for causes that matter most to you, such as mentoring children, working at an animal shelter, or helping at a food bank. You can also give back by putting your talents to work. For instance, you can teach music lessons to underprivileged children, organize a food drive, or create a piece of art for a local charity event auction.
Another option is to combine charity work with other items on your bucket list. For instance, you could complete a charity run or participate in a fundraising talent show. This allows you to raise money for a cause you care about and check some things off your list, such as singing on stage.
Physical fitness is key to overall well-being. Make fitness part of your retirement bucket list. Consider setting goals, such as walking a certain number of steps or riding a set distance on a recumbent bike.
Participating in one or more of the community’s senior fitness classes may be the easiest way to ensure you stay active. But you also can create your own fitness program. Try low-impact exercises, such as tai chi, yoga, or swimming. These types of activities are easier on the joints and can improve your balance, flexibility, and heart health.
If you, like many seniors, find yourself reflecting on your life experiences, recalling happy memories, or counting your many life blessings, now's the time to write these thoughts down. You can write a complete memoir of your life or short stories to share with your loved ones.
If you haven’t done so already, you also can start tracking your family history. Begin by writing down the family members you know, such as your parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins. Then, you can use online resources to fill in the blanks or expand your family tree.
Another great bucket list idea is to create a family heirloom to hand down to your loved ones. For example, you can knit a sweater, complete a woodworking project, or paint a picture that you can then gift to your children or grandchildren.
Living in a retirement community offers the perfect space for reconnecting with old friends and getting together with family members. While you can certainly invite guests to visit your apartment, you can also use numerous community spaces.
For larger gatherings, such as a family reunion, you can reserve a party room or check out near-by restaurants. You can also feel free to invite your friends and family to special events held in the community or local area.
No matter how you choose to connect with your loved ones, it can strengthen these relationships for years to come.
Before you start making your Senior Living bucket list, take some time for self-reflection. Don’t just go by the list you made 10, 20, 30, or more years ago. Instead, develop dreams and goals for this new stage of your life.
Breaking your bucket list into short- and long-term goals helps make them more achievable and keeps you motivated. Also, be sure to set realistic objectives and factor in any physical limitations you may have.
Creating a SeniorLiving bucket list is just the first step. You also want to set clear plans for achieving these goals. Having a plan in place makes it easier to check things off your list. Here are some tips to help you create a plan to complete your list.
As a premier senior living community, Trillium can assist you during these transitions in retirement. Call (571) 487-8273 today to schedule a tour and learn about everything our Senior Living community offers.
