Sharing fun and unique bucket list ideas for you to try this year!
A new year is the perfect time to start planning out your newly updated bucket list.
Taking the time to think about all the things you want to experience and find joy in is a really important part of your personal development journey. Whether it’s as small as having a picnic on the beach or as big as taking a cross-country road trip, it is so valuable to identify what brings you happiness, what you are passionate about, what your goals are, and how that will manifest in the experiences you create for yourself and partake in.
Long story short, bucket lists can play a part in you finding fulfillment, meaning, and joy in life.
That being said, I’m sharing 36 unique bucket list ideas you can add to your list this year. Perhaps you want to further explore your style or hobbies, or maybe you want to put a spotlight on your health and wellness – whatever the case, explore these bucket list ideas to contribute to your holistic personal development journey!
2024 BUCKET LIST IDEAS
Contents
FOOD
- AT HOME SUSHI NIGHT: Calling all sushi lovers! Have an at-home sushi night with friends and family. This way, everyone can customize all kinds of rolls to their liking. It’s delicious food and an activity all in one.
- HOST A DINNER PARTY: Be your best hostess self this year! Gather all the recipes you’ve been saving online, find inspo from the aesthetic decorations and details you see on Pinterest, and get your loved ones together!
- REMAKE A MEAL FROM YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT AT HOME: Do you have a favorite restaurant or meal you’re constantly craving? Save little money and try your hand at making it at home!
- CREATE A RECIPE BOOK: Whether you have family recipes scattered around or a bunch of recipes you found online and love, consider creating a recipe book! You can create pages on Canva or another platform of your choosing, print them out, and bind them. Or, keep it digital! You can also hand-write recipes in a book like this.
- GO TO A FOOD FESTIVAL: Oh, food festivals. What could be better than a bunch of food from a bunch of different vendors all in one place? It’s perfect for sharing foods, trying new things, and discovering businesses. Find local events in your area, or go to one if you’re traveling! It could be the perfect way to explore the local culture and cuisine.
- MAKE FOOD BASED ON A MOVIE: There are tons of movies with iconic and notable foods – choose your favorite, whip up something delicious, and enjoy! Do this with Disney films, sitcoms, romcoms, or anything else you love. Be creative!
CREATIVITY + STYLE
- DO A HOME DIY PROJECT: Chances are there’s something in your home you’ve been meaning to update, transform, or add. Do a DIY project to make that change happen! Not only will it be a fun project, but you’ll feel that much more proud of the outcome.
- BUILD YOUR CAPSULE WARDROBE: Find versatile, high-quality pieces to add to, or begin curating, your capsule wardrobe. You’ll have endless outfit combination, always have something to reach for, and live a bit more sustainably.
- GET/DO A COLOR ANALYSIS: Find what colors best complement you based on attributes like your skin tone and hair color! Perhaps you’ll be reassured, or maybe you’ll have a revelation!
- FIND A NEW CREATIVE OUTLET: From sewing and collaging, to jewelry making, rug creating, and wheel throwing, there are so many creative ventures to explore. Find something new that brings you joy, lets you express yourself, and releases some stress.
- REPURPOSE A PIECE OF CLOTHING: If you’re like me, you have articles of clothing collecting dust in the back of your closet. Find a way to repurpose some of them! Turn a shirt into a new, trendy top, a pair of jeans into a bag, or patch together pieces to make a quilt.
- THRIFT AN OUTFIT: From head to toe, thrift an outfit! Find a top, bottoms, or a dress, and accessorize with shoes, glasses, socks, a bag, a scarf, or anything else you desire!
ENTERTAINMENT + MEDIA
- ATTEND A LIVE SHOW: Find a concert, play, or any kind of live music or art to enjoy!
- GO TO A PROFESSIONAL SPORTS EVENT: If sports are your thing, put this on your bucket list and get your fan gear together!
- DO AN ESCAPE ROOM: Whether you’re with friends, family, or co-workers, escape rooms are a great activity to get everyone involved.
- GO TO A COMEDY SHOW: Find a place that does causal stand-up comedy or go to live comedy show! Get your laughs in and experience a unique type of entertainment.
- HOST/DO AN AT-HOME MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT: This would be a great idea for a gathering with friends and family. You can find kits to have a fun, unique, guided experience that will bring out the detective in everyone.
- PARTICIPATE IN A TRIVIA NIGHT: Form and group and find a trivia night to participate in! Test your knowledge, enjoy some food, and enjoy some friendly competition.
TRAVEL + OUTDOORS
- TAKE A ROAD TRIP: Whether you go across the country or a few hours away, take a road trip to experience the world in a different way! Grab all your favorite snacks, research where you want to stop, and enjoy the ride.
- MAKE A PHOTO BOOK OF A TRIP/VACATION: Whether you went on a European adventure, had a weekend in Palm Springs, or went on road trip around the U.S., make a photo book of your vacation! Use sites like Shutterfly or Chatbooks, and document all the memories.
- PLAY TOURIST FOR A DAY: Take the time to be a tourist in your own home – enjoy the sites, foods, and even accommodations that a tourist might!
- GO STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING AT SUNRISE: Find some peace and serenity stand-up paddleboarding at sunrise! It’ll be a great start to your day and a beautiful experience.
- STAY IN A UNIQUE ACCOMMODATION: From tiny homes to dining with giraffes to sleeping on ice, there are countless unique accommodations around the world. Make your trip a bit more exciting by staying somewhere unforgettable.
- HAVE A PICNIC IN A NEW SPOT: I have some go-to spots for picnic-ing, but why not try somewhere new? Find a different park, go to a new beach, or search for a hidden gem.
PERSONAL GROWTH
- TAKE A COURSE OR WORKSHOP (PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL): Continue learning! Whether it’s to help with your career or job, to improve your interpersonal skills, or to learn a new craft, continue to explore and grow! There are so many online courses out there, as well as workshops you can partake in.
- CULTIVATE A NEW OR EXISTING FRIENDSHIP: This is a unique bucket list idea for your personal growth – cultivate a new or existing friendship. Perhaps there’s an existing friendship that you want to prioritize more and work on. Or, make a new friend, whether that’s at work, through a mutual friend, or through a common interest.
- JOIN (OR START!) A CLUB: Think book clubs, cooking clubs, pickleball clubs, or even brunch clubs! You can truly make a club around anything – find one in your area or establish one yourself! This is a great way to explore your passions, cultivate a community, and feel fulfillment in an important aspect of your life.
- “PUBLISH” A MAGAZINE OF YOUR YEAR: How cool would it be to create a magazine of your year? Make sections or issues monthly or bi-monthly, and highlight important events, milestones, outfits, and really anything you want!
- TAKE A SELF DEFENSE CLASS: Not only will you feel more prepared and confident while you’re out by yourself or with your girlfriends, but it’s a fun and valuable learning experience to do with friends.
- REEVALUATE YOUR DAILY ROUTINES: You aren’t the same person you were a year ago! Reevaluate everything from your morning routine and night routine, to more specifics like your eating habits, workout habits, or skincare routine.
HEALTH + WELLNESS
- “HOT GIRL WALK” IN A NEW AREA: Do you love a hot girl walk? Because I do. Brainstorm some new places to walk around – find a different neighborhood, a coastal town, or even a shopping complex. You may even get in a walk while you’re on vacation to experience the place by foot, while getting your exercise in.
- TRY A NEW WORKOUT CLASS/TYPE OF WORKOUT/PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: From dancing and barre to kickboxing and aerial yoga, there are TONS of fun ways to get your body moving. Try something new and break a sweat!
- DO “ANIMAL” YOGA: Puppies! Alpacas! Goats! Get active and make some fuzzy friends. You’ll get a workout in and serotonin boost!
- GET PROFESSIONALLY STRETCHED: I know you’re feeling a bit inflexible and tight somewhere… get professionally stretched. Target problem areas, reduce any pain, and sustain your progress.
- GROW A HOME GARDEN: Take a step towards healthy eating by cultivating a home garden! Start simple with common herbs like rosemary and basil, then expand based on your preferences!
- TEST YOUR GUT!: Do you feel bloated, experience inflammation, or just feel a bit ~icky~ (among other symptoms) after eating sometimes? Do a gut reset and investigate what habits or foods may be causing you issues. Dr. Shah on “The Mel Robbins Podcast” discusses this topic in depth and suggests doing a “food elimination diet” to identify the problem(s), as opposed to a food sensitivity test. For more, listen here!
