Since the 2007 box office hit starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, the term Bucket List sits comfortably in our vernacular. Seems everyone has one, and if you don’t there are a plethora of resources to help you create one. These lists often include extreme activities capitalizing on the fact that our time on this Earth is short. 

People climb mountains, swim seas, jump from airplanes, and ride bicycles across countries. Visit foreign lands, read volumes, and publish memoirs. All in the name of their Bucket List.

For me, the term Bucket List connotes pressure to make me do scary, high stakes things I may not want to do. Maybe even pave the path of disappointment. 

So, right here, right now, I’m choosing the guiding statement, “Wouldn’t it be fun to . . .”

Rather than “Before I die, I want to . . . “ 

Instead of creating a Bucket List, I’m creating a Teacup Tally. A gentle guide to keep me from letting the weeks slip by without having enough fun.

An Example

BF and I love to hike, and we love spending a day in Brown County State Park. Back in July, we bought our senior citizen annual pass and before we even made it to our first trailhead, I was calculating how many $7, day park visits we’d need to use to justify the cost of the $24 Golden Hoosier Passport: 4. Studying the trail map, I came up with the idea we’d hike all 11 trails this season. Perfect item for my teacup tally.

Check

As of Sunday, September 17th, we knocked off trail numbers 9, 10, and 11. We accomplished our goal in perfect Teacup style, making 4 separate visits to Brown County, each including breakfast or lunch in Nashville. Sometimes both. We packed snacks and took breaks in the woods. We chatted while doubling our daily step count goal. We kept it to an average of 5.85 miles per trip, and we celebrated when we finished. 

Making lists is absolutely in my wheelhouse. They motivate me, keep me on track, and serve as a reminder. I make them on the backs of envelopes, in notebooks, on legal pads, and in my journal. The important ones, I date and title, saving them for posterity. 

Truth is, we all live with a teetering bucket and awareness of longevity is smart. Guiding goals are productive. 

Bravo to those who want their Bucket Lists. Go for it. For me, I have my little list of restaurants to try, people and places to see, things to do with the grandkids, Pickleball skills to perfect, yoga programs to complete, State Parks to visit, books to read, and lots of future travels.

My teacup is full.