Spring bucket list: 60 before 60
The first blooms of spring always make my heart sing.
S. Brown
Spring is here, which means my heart is singing…and it’s time to share our Spring Bucket Lists, or in my case, an update on my 60 before 60 Challenge.
Last October, I announced that I would be completing a 60 before 60 Challenge in the year leading up to my 60th birthday. That challenge will be taking the place of my typical seasonal bucket lists for this year. Here’s how I’m doing five months into my challenge.
Health and Fitness
Walk 60 miles on trails or roads I haven’t traveled yet. I’m making slow progress on this one. As the weather warms, I hope to move a little faster. (I’m going to have to if I want to reach my goal of 50 miles! Right now, at 6.5 miles, I’m just over 10 percent of the way there.) In the past month, I walked 1.5 miles on the Highland Parkway Trail in Southern Utah with my husband and my dog. This was an easy paved trail with beautiful views…perfect for a lunchtime walk.
Joy
Declutter 60 things. Since last report, I’ve given away a shirt that I like, but that has never fit quite right, two FitBits (since I now use my Apple Watch), a dog halter and hat that are two small for a growing Buddy, and a clock radio I no longer use. I also cleaned out six drawers in the downstairs bathroom and one in my bathroom (counting each drawer as one item), and deleted the unused apps from my phone. Anyway, as I am counting things, that brings me to 52 total…well ahead of schedule.
Learning and growth
Do 60 new things…that is 60 things I haven’t done in adulthood…if I haven’t done something since I was in high school, that counts as new. I’ve added four things to the list since last report (those in bold below), putting me just shy of being on track to reach the goal of 60 things in a year.
- Started 52 lists for calm journal
- Tried Freddy’s (fast food)
- Tried brie and cherry honey
- Took a wine appreciation course
- Visited Red Cliffs Desert Garden
- Tried Dot’s Southwest Pretzels
- Tried pralines and cream cold brew
- Fixed a new potato pepper frittata recipe
- Listened to Ashley Campbell music on YouTube
- Downloaded PetFinder app
- Went through the pet adoption process
- Ate with my left hand
- Made a new friend: Buddy
- Tried online grocery shopping
- Drove a different route and took in my surroundings
- Tried Beans & Brew egg bits—not so good; I prefer Starbucks for egg bites.
- Cooked taco soup (new recipe)—loved it!
- Discovered two new blogs: Roughwighting and Annika Perry—loved them both!
- Tried new type of beer: Uinta Brewing Co. Yard Sale Winter Lager—thumbs up!
- Meditated with eyes open—this just felt strange; I prefer eyes closed.
- Tried Zuppa Toscana soup—delicious!
- Learning to crochet—so far, I am enjoying it (though not yet good at it!)
- Signed up for a virtual mixology class (Okay, I haven’t actually tried this yet, but I’ll update you when the class takes place in April.)
- Tried Killer Pecans Smokin’ —They were good and, in fact, grew on me the more of them I ate…which was probably too many.
Relationships
Commit 60 intentional acts of kindness. This month I have committed seven acts of kindness specifically with this goal in mind, putting me at 42 total…ahead of schedule. I choose not to share every act, but to give you an idea, this month’s list included a friendly wave and thoughts of loving kindness for a driver that pulled out in front of me, connecting with someone on LinkedIn who is just getting started in her career and looking to grow her network, and donating blood.
In summary
That’s what I have been up to this month. I’m holding out hope that we will continue to make progress against COVID-19, and I will have an opportunity to try a larger variety of new things before my 60th birthday next October. In the meantime, I will keep plugging away.
Your turn
What about you? I’d love to hear your plans for spring (or fall for my Southern Hemisphere friends). If you have a bucket list, please link up with us. Otherwise, simply share a few things in the comments.
I’m usually quite intentional in what I decide to do. But this Spring I’ve decided to go the opposite way. Just let my life unfold before me, doing things in the moment. Of course, I always attempt to be kind and helpful and creative as I go along in life. Can you write a bucket list after you do all the things? Or is that cheating! ?
I believe there is real value in relaxing and letting life unfold, Ally. I am a tracker and a planner by nature, and I find it helpful to occasionally let that all go and just be in the moment. I look forward to hearing how this season goes for you and where life takes you.
Christie, You’re doing so well with your bucket list. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate your milestone birthday. Have a great week ahead and enjoy Spring!
FYI…I’ve been hosting the weekly Weekend Coffee Share link-up this year (picked up the baton from the previous host). It runs from Friday at 8 am to Sunday night midnight Toronto time. Details on my blog. You’re welcome to join in any and every week. Some of our mutual blogger friends have been participating. I hope you consider joining.
Thank you Natalie. I will go check out the Weekend Coffee Share link-up on your site.
I just love your lists…I think progress is always great and who cares how long it takes. I would like to commit to walking so many miles> i’d like to get a. fitness tracker of some sort.
Thank you Kristen. I agree slow steady progress is still progress. You should definitely try out one of the fitness trackers.
You are doing so well with your 60 before 60! Hopefully with nicer weather you can get in some more miles soon.
Thank you Joanne. I’m looking forward to exploring new trails this spring. The forecast looks promising in the next week or so.
That is such a great goal! I love the idea of hiking all those new trails. Keep up the good work, and have fun!
Thank you for the encouraging words, Erin. Happy spring!
Thank you for always inspiring me!! I need to make an appointment to donate blood again. For years I wasn’t permitted to donate because of my Lyme Disease but they have ‘forgiven’ that now and I can donate again. Yay!
We have a lot of flavors of pistachios and pecans in this area. Many of the wineries also make flavored nuts, so delicious with a glass of wine on a summer day.
Your soup looks scrumptious. I will look for a recipe. We often enjoy that soup at Olive Garden.
Glad for your crocheting. If I ever finish this mosaic, and some assorted half-finished cross stitch pictures, maybe I will try it, too. But I probably need someone to show me live and in person.
Hope weather is warming so you can discover some new walks and hikes. We are eyeing a hike to the tin mines. Bought bright flashlights for it. Now waiting for the right weekend, right weather.
Hello Leslie! You are the one that inspires me. If I can return the favor once in a while, that’s wonderful. I hadn’t given blood in quite a while either–I mean even before the pandemic. I don’t know why I got out of the habit. Anyway, it felt good to do it again. Some day when I come to Texas, we need to visit a winery and sample flavored nuts…with our wine, of course! I must confess I bought that soup from our grocery store, but it was made fresh there. I hope you get to go on your hike to the tin mines soon. I want to hear all about it. Happy spring!
You’re doing great on your list so far!! I hope you can start doing more as the weather gets nicer. I love the idea of doing a bunch of random acts of kindness.
-Lauren
Thank you Lauren. If nothing else, having a goal to commit acts of kindness makes me more aware…more intentional about what I am doing. Happy spring!
Great progress! It looks like you have a few yummy treats on your New Things list… always a wonderful motivator 🙂 I’m sure the weather will warm up soon. I can’t remember if you live in your new house full or part time, but I do know that that area gets a bit toasty in the summer. Hopefully you can get the bulk of your walking mileage in during the lovely spring weather.
Thank you Janis. Yes, there has been some food involved. That seems one of the easiest new things to try while staying close to home…and I enjoy it. We are still splitting our time between northern and southern Utah. That means I can walk and hike in Southern Utah in the spring and take it up north in the summer when it gets warmer. You are correct, it does get toasty down south.
Yeah to Spring! My heart is singing too.
Thank you for sharing your very inspirational Bucket List.
I always find your lists very motivating!
Thank you for those kind words Donna. Happy spring to you!
Hi Christie – I always enjoy your updates on your bucket list – so many little fun things that cover a range of areas. It’s great that you’re not aiming for huge things that might cause disappointment if you don’t achieve them (especially while the world is still so topsy turvy). Congrats on ticking off a few more things from your list.
Thank you Leanne. I am trying to savor these last quieter months at home before I go back into the office for work and start getting out more for pleasure. I am looking forward to getting back into the mountains for some hiking, now that the weather is warming. It’s strange for me to think that you are heading into fall. Enjoy the change of season. Happy autumn!