Some Things to Put on Your Winter 2022-23 Bucket List

As is my wont, I’ll begin this post by defining a term from the title, in this case, “bucket list.” In years gone by, a bucket list was a list of things you wanted to do before you died or kicked the proverbial bucket. The definition has since changed a bit and now simply means what you want to accomplish prior to a certain date or the end of a period of time, in this case, the winter of 2022-2023.

A bucket list is similar to a list of goals and, like all goals, should be somewhat difficult to achieve, but achievable none-the-less. In other words, climbing Mt. Everest this winter should NOT be on your bucket list, nor should winning a Formula One race or purchasing Twitter.

Your bucket list should contain things you’ve always wanted to do or new things you’ve wanted to try, but, for whatever reason, you never have. This list is intended to help get you through the winter doldrums, to get you moving, to get you outside, to help you deal with seasonal affective disorder, to simply get you through the winter months. Here’s a few ideas to get you started…

• Go to a hockey game and it doesn’t have to be an NHL game, college games tend to be even more entertaining. You’ll be surprised how much more enjoyable a hockey game is live as opposed to watching it on television. It’s much easier to follow the puck and a raucous crowd certainly adds to the enjoyment. Don’t forget to partake of the delicious, yet nutritionally questionable food from the concession stand.
• Learn to ski or snowboard if you live in the proper climate for such activities. It’s never too late to try new, athletic activities such as these. Start by taking lessons with a professional on the kiddie slope and before you know it, you’ll be flying down those black diamonds (expert slopes) in no time…probably not, but you will be able to graduate from the kiddie slope.
• Visit a local museum in your area, especially one you thought you had no interest in visiting. If you think art is too high brow for your tastes, go visit an art museum. Chances are, you’ll be amazed at what you see. Quick story…I live in Pittsburgh, PA the birthplace of Andy Warhol, a modern artist who was popular from the 1960s until his death in 1987. The Andy Warhol Museum is literally five miles from my house and for the first 20 years I lived here I refused to visit. Well, about two years ago, I finally gave in to my wife’s insistence and I’ve been back about a dozen times since.
• Make your own, personalized, snow globe or make one as a gift for someone else. Yes, you can do this and it’s not as difficult as you might think. Here are a few sites that explain the easy process here and here.
• Try a new indoor physical activity that you’ve never done before such as bowling, swimming, racquet ball, paint ball or laser tag, yoga, and/or dancing.
• Sing at a karaoke bar or host your own karaoke party. Yes, it’s embarrassing. Yes, it’s humbling. Yes, it’s scary, but it’s also a great deal of fun.
• Take on that home DIY project you’ve been avoiding. You know you’ve been talking about painting that living room for years or replacing that old vanity in your bathroom. Well, winter is the perfect time to get ‘er done!
• Begin to learn a new language or how to play a new instrument. Do this even if you don’t plan a trip to a foreign country or joining a band or orchestra. Learning either one of these does amazing things for maintaining your cognitive ability as it forces your brain to work in new and different ways and it’s a great way to pass the time.

Winter is the perfect time to get out there and try new things, from ice fishing to taking a cooking class to becoming an amateur photographer (three things I failed to discuss above). Don’t become a shut-in this winter, create a bucket list and check off the new things you do as you go. Have fun out there and happy holidays.