The season of creating bucket lists is here… and it’s a lot harder than one would think! What do you put on your bucket list, the very thing that is going to make or break your entire 2026, when you can’t think of anything besides travel… and going to the gym A LOT? Again? That’s all you can think of? No problem there- here are a few great ideas for your 2026 bucket list that you can, first, actually get done, and second, feel cool for prioritizing!
One, it’s time to explore local travel. Everyone won’t stop talking about traveling to Paris or Italy or some small island off the coast of Spain. Never fear, you live in a country with some pretty cool things too! And instead of worrying about PTO and getting the most out of your Summer vacation, try some weekend trips instead! There is nothing like a trip to Asheville, a trip to the Appalachian trail, or even down to Savannah, Georgia for a Southern good time. We, in the Carolinas, are surrounded by waterfalls, mountains, and beaches! Take advantage of them.
Two, prioritize less consumption and more creativity. Instead of obsessing over collecting this, or shopping for these, how about you make something!!! Pinterest is a great resource for looking for crafts you can complete in your free time! Hot glue buttons on a hair pin, paint your shoes a plaid pattern, or cut out felt into little shapes and hang them from your ceiling. It is important that you don’t base your life based on what you must shop for next! Next time you see a pretty vase in TJ Maxx, think about how much more you would love a vase you painted with your best friend.
Speaking of best friends, the third on my list is- casual hosting! Instead of waiting to only have parties on birthdays, have more casual parties with your friends! Craft nights, painting parties, and movie nights are incredibly effective at keeping the friendly spirit up all year long. This way, you can keep up with friends you otherwise would not hang out with as much. As we venture more into adulthood and busyness, it’s crucial we maintain these friendships! As someone who casually hosts all the time, it’s so much fun. I highly recommend it.
Last on my list is solo dates- for those of us who don’t leave the house when our friends are too busy to do something. Walking around the city with a coffee, or hiking up to a mountain for a picnic, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a weekend without needing a group of friends or a partner to join you. When you spend time outside of your comfort zone in these situations, you give yourself time to ponder self improvement, self appreciation, and everything else you’d ignore if you were surrounded by other people.
