This isn’t a bucket list. These aren’t things I need to cross off before I die. Will I ever accomplish everything here? Probably not, but that’s not the goal. This list exists simply as a collection of things I would like to do in my lifetime. If writing them down helps me focus, and in turn helps me achieve some of them, the list has served its purpose.
A life list should never make you feel guilty for not accomplishing something! It should serve as a compass, opening you up to experiences that you may have discounted otherwise. I started this list in 2010, inspired by Maggie. My hope is that by sharing this publicly, I will hold myself accountable and achieve more than I would otherwise. I tend to do well with public lists.
I come back and edit this post as I cross things off, and I fully expect this list to change as time goes on.
Experiences
- Live in another city for a year (San Francisco?)
- Take an extended vacation
- Host a traditional Thanksgiving dinner
- Shake the President’s hand
Go sightseeing on a Vespa/scooterTeach a craft project to a group- Karaoke in front of a crowd
- Attend a costume party in a costume I’ve made myself
- Organize a big event
- Surprise someone in a big way
Keep a house plant alive for at least a year- Grow tomatoes from seed
- Try fencing, complete with the proper gear
Run in a 5K- Be completely debt-free (mortgage included)
- Help build a home for charity
- Take belly dancing lessons
Sights
- Look out over Paris
Cross the Brooklyn BridgeCross the Golden Gate BridgeVisit The Farnsworth House (Mies van der Rohe)- Visit the Robie House, Taliesin East, Fallingwater, and
revisit Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio here in Oak Park Take the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s River Cruise- Take the kids to The House on the Rock (it’s bizarre)
- Step out on the ledge of the Willis Tower Skydeck
Cross the Canadian border, eh- Visit Brunelleschi’s dome
- Visit Japan when it’s pink with cherry blossoms
- Have a cheesy photo taken of me holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Just Plain Fun
Make a dollhouse for Eleanor- Finish a paint-by-numbers painting
Wear a ridiculous hat to an event- Dress up with friends for a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Experience weightlessness
- Beat the classic Super Mario Bros. game
- Learn how to solve a Rubik’s cube
Wear a sequined dress to a party- Have the Thriller dance in my repertoire
Family
Have another baby- And another
Have a completely natural labor and childbirth- Cart the kids around town in a cargo bike
- Go roller skating with Eleanor and August
Have an adorable family photo taken- Have a new adorable family photo taken (the family has expanded since the last one)
- Celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary
- Read Charlotte’s Web with Eleanor and August
Home
- Paint every room in my house
Paint all of the trim in our houseLive in a house with a lovely entryway- Gut an old fixer-upper house and completely remodel it
- Make a fairy garden for the kids
- Have a library with a rolling ladder
Style
- Only wear lovely undergarments
- Ruthlessly edit my closet down to only my favorite things
Find my perfect shade of lipstick- Sew a dress for myself that I would actually wear
- Wear perfume regularly again
Skills
- Identify twenty constellations
Learn how to use my camera in manual mode- Earn a belt in a martial art
- Perfect my turn stop on skates
- Play the ukulele
- Learn to swim
- Read 100 classics
Professional / Career
- Publish a book
Be a keynote speaker- Have a monthly column in a magazine
- Start a charitable creative movement (like a chain letter but more fulfilling)
- Do/create something worthy of being nominated as a MacArthur Fellow
Meet Martha StewartMeet Jonathan AdlerRedesign Making it Lovely- Sell my designs through a nationwide store
- Art direct a photo shoot
- Name paint colors
- Design wallpaper
- Judge a design competition
- Create a proper portfolio for myself
- Decorate someone else’s home from top to bottom
Make enough money to support my family- Make an appearance in five forms of media (
book,magazine,television, radio,internet) - Have my home featured in a Domino-like magazine or book
Projects
- Take a photo every day for a year
- Start a family tradition
- Choose a good cookbook and cook every recipe in it
- Give only handmade gifts for a year
139 comments
free instrumental downloads
Apart from Soundclick, there are many good websites out
there that serve as tools to get to where you want to be.
Owning leasing rights simply means that you own the right to sell
a few thousand units to the instrumentals which you bought.
Home recording studio software should offer you powerful tools for recording, editing
and mixing audio tracks in the comfort of your own home.
Lorinda
this is so inspiring and I am motivated to do my own life list! I just hope I’m brave enough to make public because I think it really puts things into perspective and helps you achieve more of the goals. Thanks for sharing :) x
Holly
Just re-reading your list as I start thinking about how to have a non-celebration celebration for my 50th. Lots of great ideas, and I’m thrilled to realize there are a bunch I’ve already done (Rocky Horror Picture Show, renovate an old house top to bottom, have a house with an exterior as cute as the interior, see Paris from the Eiffel Tower.) But there is still so much more!
Raul
I really like it whenever people come together and share
thoughts. Great blog, continue the good work!
Misty Dawn
I just posted my Life List today (in honor of the new year). Believe it, I’ve had it as a draft on my blog for months… I was afraid people my laugh at some of my items. Guess maybe I should add “get over my insecurities” to my list, huh? haha
Melissa Corre
Hi Nicole, this list is truly inspirational, I am definitely going to start my own. I like how you talk about the guilt sometimes associated with not completing a list, I’ve definitely been there before and it’s not a good feeling to have nothing to cross out! I will definitely create my new list with an open mind and gentle understanding that I may not meet every goal. The fun is in dreaming, right? :) Thanks for being lovely.
Jenni (Museum Diary)
What a great list, so many inspiring ideas. Since I blog about museums, it made me smile to see the Art Institute of Chicago up there. I noticed you also had it on your ’30 before 30′ list (though I’ve not been to that particular museum yet myself, as I have never been to Chicago). My little boy is not quite 2 and he has already been to over 20 museums in 4 different countries :-)
Best wishes & #museumlove, Jenni (via BYW)
Tiffany Grant-Riley
Eh hem…you can cross ‘meet Martha Stewart’ off your list now ;)
Jenn
Guitar Center across the country is doing free ukelele lessons every Saturday in October- just sayin’!
Nancy Rosso
I’ve been reading your blog for years, it has been a great resource for creative inspiration. I know we’re complete strangers but I’m certain if we ever met, we’d be the best of friends. Thanks for “Making” the internet more “Lovely”!
Karin
Nicole, you’re life list is such an amazing idea. Truly inspiring. There’re so many things we want to do, that sometimes we even forget.
Congratulations for your beautiful blog!
Rachael
That is an inspiring list! I must make one of my own and before life passes by!
Renee DiCarlo
If you make it to Fallingwater, make sure you also visit Kentuck Knob (it’s 7 miles away). It’s a beautiful, livable Frank Lloyd Wright home with a rather impressive collection of artwork!
Kimberly
I second that! We went to Fallingwater & Kentuck Knob on our honeymoon & both were inspiring & amazing!
Erin @ The Great Indoors
Someday I’ll have the courage to make my own life list and publish it. For now, though, I’ll just live vicariously through yours. :-)
Dani Cruz
I made my own, and even mentioned your blog :) such a shame google translator it’s so weird:
http://translate.google.com.br/translate?sl=pt&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=pt-BR&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fmaismagenta.com.br%2F2012%2F01%2F03%2Flife-list-uma-lista-por-uma-vida-mais-magenta-e-menos-cinza%2F&act=url
beautiful things like ‘natural birth’ turns to ‘having a baby vaginally’ hahahah
Saa
Hi Nicole. Happy New Year! I have been so inspired by this post that I have decided to take the plunge and set one up for myself…
Below is the link to the blog I set up for my list
It is still very much a work in progress…
http://zaharadessert.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, as I wouldn’t have done this other wise
Take care and hope 2012 brings you lots of new adventures
Mona
oops – that is http://urbancurator.wordpress.com – see I told you I’m new!
Mona
Hi Nicole,
I noticed “mentor someone” on your life list. I am very new to blogging, and I hope I am off to a fairly good start.
If you have any advice for me – inspirations for posts, how is my writing, how to get more readers/advertiseres etc., I would appreciate it!
And you could scratch off mentoring!!www.urbancurator@wordpress.com
Nick Klaus
I also have learning the thriller dance in my list of things I want to do. I adapted your 30 before 30 list into a 25 before 25. Then I put 38 things on it. I still have a couple years, so a running head start couldn’t hurt.
Gail
This is just an idea, but if you want to cross TWO of your life item list ideas off in 2012, the Indiana State Fair (in Indy) is one of the best in the country AND I’d love to take your family photos for you there!!!! :) Photos at the fair are ALWAYS the cutest!!!!
Yari
” A life list should never make you feel guilty for not accomplishing something! It should serve as a compass, opening you up to experiences that you may have discounted otherwise”
Thank you Thank you thank you for sharing this, I needed to read this today! I am new to your blog and I love it! I will borrow your line and definitely start my own life list ^_^ just for fun this time no pressure! ^_^
Terese
wonderful list…so inspiring!
Andrea
Nicole!!! You can mentor me in your awesomeness any time. ;)
Brittany Lauren
Great way to break down your list – so inspiring! Love your family list, very sweet. My husband and I started a travel list a few years ago before we start to have kids and its fun marking off the ones you accomplish!
Kristín
Such a lovely post – really inspiring.
I can help you with the conversation in french:
“Salut Nicole, ça va?
– Oui, ça va bien! Et tu – ça va?
ça va :) Bonne soirée!”
Hello Nicole, how are you?
– Yes, I’m good, and you – good?
Very good, have a nice evening!
“ça va” and a smile can get you a long way :)
Kate
So inspiring. I’m going to sit down and make my own list!
Maria
I love lists- and after seeing this my mind is spinning with things to put on mine!
Andrea @ Our Little Gems
it was because of YOU that I wrote a life last early this year. i remember reading your post from your Maggie getaway and then clicked over to her life list and before i knew it, the ideas were swimming around my head. i agree, making it public does make it accountable, but i also think the universe will conspire to make things happen. one of my items was to visit the Great Wall… lo and behold, i got an unexpected paid opportunity to go just last month. thank you for all of your inspiration!
Tina
This was such an inspiration post. We’ve crossed off a couple of the same things. I’ve been to Falling Water and it is amazing. The thing I love most about it was that he designed it when he was 68.
Nikki
This is so inspiring! I’ve been reading Maggie for years and when I’m not totally intimidated by you two and all you’ve accomplished, I’m pushing myself forward to do more. I recently shared my blog (velvetunderfoot) with a much wider group of friends on facebook, opening myself up in a bigger way (like you’ve done here). So in a way, you’re already mentoring someone.
Christina W.
I finally got over my fear of karaoke a few years ago and went with a huge group of ladies. We drank ridiculous fruity drinks and laughed and I dragged them all onstage to sing Love Shack with me haha.
Andrea @ Strawberry-Chic
What a great idea, I agree, making lists like these help you focus your goals even if you never do get to finish everything!
by the way, love the idea of taking a picture a day for 1 year, it would make a great photo album!
Rosie
I love this! You are going to inspire me to do the same.
Bethany
Wow, what a great list of things to look forward to in your life. Even if you don’t do them all, they all sound awesome.
One that stuck out to me was teaching a craft to a group of kids. I work at a free summer camp run by a charitable organization. I usually plan and teach the craft program and it’s a lot of fun! If you’d like to teach crafts, there is probably a summer camp or after-school program for at-risk kids in your area that would welcome a volunteer to come in and teach a craft now and then. It’s a lot of fun, the kids enjoy it, and you can cross something off your list. :)
Karin Sullivan
Nicole, I saw the item about playing guitar; my friend Midge has started a music school here in south Oak Park, and we’re looking for one more woman to do group beginner’s guitar lessons. (I’m going to do it.) Only $15 an hour! It’s a bunch of Irving/former Irving moms–a good way to get connected wiht a great community! C’mon, you know you want to sign up. :-)
Ija
hi, nicole!! what a long list!! very inspiring!
Nat @ Dear Little House
Some great things to aspire to! I was thinking about making a list like this… ironically, it is on my ToDo list!
itziar
I love people with illusions is a great list,
I hope you enjoy and get us much as posible!
maybe i make my own list
love your blog so much! I get something good everytime i visit it, thanks!
http://www.mykitschworld.blospot.com
Jeen-Marie
What a lovely list.
Great job and very inspiring!
em
love this list!
Lindsay
I loved this list! My birthday is soon and I’m having a bit of a life direction crisis and it was just nice to see this kind of thing. Inspiring! Your career list was my favorite, such fun things. When you cross the Canadian border us Canadians would love to show you around ;)
Deneise bucko
Wow!! I’m impressed your list is long… I love it!!!
Tori
Natural childbirth??? Major life accomplishment!!! You’re a trooper : )
casacaudill
What a great list! I have things like this I keep in my head but nothing I’ve ever put down in such a concrete way. The next time I get some free time I may steal this idea for the blog.
(BTW – looking out over Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower is truly magical. I couldn’t contain my joy.)
Rachel May
Such a beautiful list! Thank you for sharing with us:) I think I should probably start a list myself.
Ever read the book “Dream it, List it, Do it”? You might like it….although you seem to have the life list down pat. It has other ideas, like folding 1,000 paper cranes or skydiving, etc etc. I like it.
Chrystal
What a great list. So many inspiring ideas. :) I have a list too, but think I need to rearrange it a little and add some more to it. :) Cheers!
Nicole
Hey!!!! I could help out with “Teach a craft project to a group of kids” !
I am a Chicago Public School teacher and we are trying to put together incentive days for our “good” kids. One of the things on our list for them was “Bring someone in to teach them how to do something.” This is in the early planning stages but if you are interested….it could be really really cool!
Your mother
Teacher mom thinks this would be awesome :)
Erika
Love this idea!
Evelyn
LOVE this idea! Motivates me to make my own.
As for fencing, very fun! Some great clubs in the Chicago area. If you did rollerskating this will be easy for you!
Chedva
I can’t even start to tell you how I love this list. So fun to see the items I can check off and the dreams which I relate too. I think I’ll start my own list. First order will be of course to write it:)
Katie Mac
“Take Eleanor to American Girl Place to pick a doll and have tea”
I have been reading your blog for a while and this comment just made me super excited! I work at AG down in Atlanta and I would suggest, especially since it would be Chicago, that the first time you girls go to book an appointment with the personal shopper. The service is free and they help make the experience easier for you.
Lori
I love your list. I want to make one of my own now too. You should write a book! I would be the first in line to buy:) I just love your style in everything you do.
Danielle
What a great idea! And what a fun list! Thanks for sharing. I’ll second the fencing fun. I took a class with my husband years ago at a local community college and it was great. Neither of us have kept up with it, but at least I’ve got a photo for evidence. :)
Caitlin @ The Switchboaords
Fencing! Yay! It’s my preferred exercise of choice these days.
One thing that might impact your enjoyment of it: figure out ahead of time if you’re more interested in sport fencing (electronic, and more focused on just getting a touch) or classical (non-electronic, and more focused on form and style).
I’ve done classical foil fencing for 3 years now, and I love every minute of it. It’s the only sport that makes working out and getting sweaty fun for me. ;)
Amanda
I’m so glad you published this (came over through facebook , and I noticed you said it was hard for you to publish) It’s great you did call it a bucket list, who wants to look at that when they’re older and be like “ohh all the things I didn’t do” when really we should be looking at it and saying “look at all the things I DID in MY LIFE”. Being optimistic is key. :D
I went and started my own life list, which I called “live life list” one of my favourite fun things on this list is to be a voice in an animated movie/series. I’ve always wanted to ..
Amanda
That should say didn’t call it a bucket list.
Jen {fuzzy sushi}
This is so inspiring! I always find myself stumped when people ask things like “where do you see yourself in 5 years”? I don’t know! I go with the flow! But, we’ve lived in 2 different countries and 3 different states in just the last 8 years and I don’t know that I’ve experienced *any* of them to the fullest! Time to carpe diem, I think. I’m going to start mulling… Thanks!
Rebecca
I love writing lists and am definitely inspired to put the focus on a life list, instead of just a to do list. While reading your list it actually made me think of things I have done already, but haven’t really given credit too. Sometimes people feel like their life has been pretty boring, but if you think about things you’ve done and accomplished you might find that you have lived a pretty fulfilling life! For example I have driven across the US for a month when I was 18, seen X-mas Eve Mass with Pope (John Paul), bought my first house (a fixer-upper)… Writing that kind of list things definitely start adding up and you can think “I have done some pretty great things and am blessed in my life!”
Tara
Thanks for sharing. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while and just copied the names of your categories headings so I can start writing mine.
Tiffany
Thanks for this list. You have inspired me. I’m going to create one for myself.
Caitlin @ Hardly Housewives
I really love this. I ESPECIALLY love “surprise someone in a big way”… so many ways you could go with that!
Also, I’ve seen Martha in person…does that count?
Jen @ Rambling Renovators
Such a great list Nicole! I love that you’ve made it public. I get a kick out of seeing what makes people tick, what motivates them, and your love of family, home, and fun really shines through in your list (as it does in your blog). You’ve inspired me to revisit the list I wrote 20 years ago and see what I’ve checked off.
But I’m little surprised at a few things at your list. I guess I’ll have to come up with a kick-ass project and you’ll have to come up north here to Toronto so we can collaborate ;)
cora
In my opinion, learning to swim is an essential life skill for everyone. You should definitely get on that. Maybe you, Eleanor, and August can all learn together.
Molly @thewaffler
My parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year so I’ve been thinking a lot about how much I want to be able to do the same with my husband. We’ve got 39 (hopefully happy and healthy) more years to go.
Kristina
You can always visit the Leaning Tower of Niles in the interim. I have certainly rocked that cheesy photo!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaning_Tower_of_Niles
Making it Lovely
I know — I’ve thought about it! I’ll have to go out and get a picture. To tide me over until I eventually have the real thing.
Miss B.
Okay, so is it weird that I have fencing on my life list as well? I jest, BUT I did get tremendously teary-eyed reading your family list–celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary had me in full-on no mascara mode. I love your list, it is very charming (just like you).
Making it Lovely
The family section is the part that made me most teary-eyed. Repeatedly. I’d think of another thing to add, then cue the waterworks!
Katie
I just moved into a new home. Clean slate. Boxes everywhere. Feel free to use my home to cross of your “decorate someone’s house” goal.
Sarah
I couldn’t keep houseplants alive until I read one thing: when you water, make sure it runs out the bottom of the plant. Wait a week, repeat. No trickles of water here and there…just one good soak at a time, then wait until the soil feels dry again. Now, I have houseplants that have been with me for 5+ years.
Making it Lovely
Good to know.
Brandi
Very inspiring! I love making lists also.
shana
great list!
we went site seeing on vespas once. it was my husband’s first time in rome, and i thought it would be fun since i know rome pretty well. we rented two and away we went. despite giving him clear directions we lost each other in about 10 minutes. i had the map, the phrase book and am almost fluent in italian. he had nothing but his good looks and a vague recollection of where we were headed. a half hour later we found one another – and i gave him the map and phrase book. about 3 hours later, it happened again. 2 stressful hours later we found each other at the spanish steps, where we we headed. and i would TOTALLY do it again!
Making it Lovely
You have such a great story out of the experience!
Dottie
What a beautiful beautiful list with great range and wonderful bits that are such a great reflection of who you are as a person.
I’ve had a list for awhile but I’ve been very naughty in never putting it public. So, I’m going to. Thank you for the nudge!
My favorite might be the handmade gifts for a year. Wow! So thoughful and smart! I might have to take that one for me, if you don’t mind!
Making it Lovely
Go for it. Nothing on the list is exclusively mine — I’m happy to see anybody steal items they want to do for themselves too!
Krysta
Thanks for posting this! I created a life list a long while ago and have managed to do a few of the really fun things, but have been meaning to really re-examine my list and modify it to my present-day self. Your post has really motivated me, and I love that you have broken yours into different categories!
Katie
Inspring. I’ve been thinking about the things I want to do and I’ve been thinking about making a list. This just may be the motivation I need.
Eileen
Inspiring, especially for the end of the year!
Debbie Cotton
You’ve completely inspired me!!!
Dianne
OMG your list is wonderful. I am more than willing to stop by for some of that homemade cheesecake. ;)
Dianne
Kara
Love this list. I’ve got a mental list, but you have inspired me to write it down. Learning to swim is on mine too, as well as, being able to solve a rubix cube.
agirlandaboy
That’s quite the list! With ambition like you have, it’s going to be a wonderful life of accomplishing indeed. :)
NicoleD
What a fabulous list! I can see you getting through a good chunk of this :)
Laurie
This list is great. Such inspiration for someone feeling directionless lately. I also like how you’ve organized for a well-rounded set.
I would love if you could tackle some steps to editing down the wardrobe in your blog, because I can’t seem to do it. I asked my mother, the most ruthless person I know to help, and still haven’t made any headway.
Making it Lovely
I’m good at culling things. I’ll document it the next time I whittle things down.
erin
I love posts like this that give you and your blog depth. Plus, it must be nice to have a post where people can only be supportive instead of potentially snarky in their opinions. I love the breakdown of categories, a great reminder that life and its goals are multifaceted!
Theresa
I’ll give you a Disney trip if you will be my mentor :)
Making it Lovely
I want to take the whole family, for a week!
Giulia
Lovely, lovely, lovely! Great to see the small things and the big ambitious things! You write about learning to swim…do you know basic swimming or none at all?
Making it Lovely
I can’t swim at all. I might be able to make it to the edge of a pool, but I’d drown in open water.
Holly
It gets even more fun when the kids get to help you add to the list!
FWIW, Paris is totally worth it & while you are there go to the giant Paris flea market & visit Chenonceau while pretending you are the heroine of a Harlequin Romance Novel; living with electricity is underrated (I was without for 5 days last week, not fun); and definitely take the family on the extended vacation. I did this last summer with my kids, touring the eastern half of the US by car, and it was awesome!
Making it Lovely
We were without electricity for four or five days not long ago, but it wasn’t by choice. I’d like to do it knowing what I’m getting into ahead of time.
And I’m so looking forward to crossing some things off with the kids. A lot of things will have to wait until they’re a little older, but the waiting is fun too.
Alison
Great list! Lots of fun things, plenty of things that will challenge you…and as a reader, plenty of things that I know I will get to benefit from :)
I was also inspired by Maggie to write a list last year (and I call mine my Lovely Life List, too!), and right now I am in the middle of living out a couple of my dreams. Fun stuff! That Maggie, she’s a real peach.
Making it Lovely
It’s a good name for a list. ;) I’m so glad Maggie has given so many of us the kick in the pants needed to make our own lists!
Timmi
I think your list is great! Some are fun and easily attainable while others may seem far-fetched but attainable. All worth doing in a lifetime to make that last breath easy knowing of all the memories you have made. Good luck! Hope everyone is feeling better
Making it Lovely
We’re on what, week four of everyone being sick? Hopefully we’ll all be better soon. I think we’re on the mend (finally).
Kerry
This is a fantastic list (and idea)! It reminds me of my best friend and I making lists of predictions of our futures to be read years down the line. We have one that’s 8 years old now ready to be read! I also like how you described this as more of a compass than anything :)
Making it Lovely
Oh, I love that idea!
Rebecca S.
This is a great life list, very inspiring! I’m working on my own as well!
Comments are closed.