Self-care has turned into a major money making industry. Beauty brands market super expensive creams and skin care as self-care, as do expensive hotels. There are many expensive things I would love to indulge in as a form of self-care but ultimately, I just cannot right now. However, it doesn’t mean I’ll never be able to. So, I created a self-care bucket list of all the fun, unique, and sometimes expensive self-care things I’d love to do one day.
Maybe you are like me and have a bit of a self-care checklist with all the things you’d like to do. Or maybe you’ve just written those things off because you can’t do them right now (a mistake if you ask me).
Many of us have bucket lists for things in life (travel, jobs, activities, etc.). The idea of creating a bucket list is supposed to be fun and inspiring. One day the hope is you’ll get to do the things on your bucket list. So, why not make one for all the fancy self-care you want to engage in? You should totally do it—treat future you! Let’s get into self-care bucket list planning.
What is a self-care bucket list?
To talk about your self-care bucket list, first we need to talk about self-care.
Self-care is anything you do to take care of yourself. This may seem broad and that’s because it is. Self-care is not one thing. Self-care is whatever you do that makes you feel cared for. To get even more specific, there are different types of self-care too (physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, etc.).
Your self-care could be a warm bath, journaling, talking to a friend, hugging your dog, binge watching Netflix, going on a solo date… literally anything that makes you feel cared for in any aspect of your life.
Now, a bucket list is a list of activities or achievements that someone hopes to accomplish during their lifetime. These are big things that are usually quite important to people and also may seem like a long shot.
Some people focus on things that are personally very important to them because of their values. Others may include things that are more materialistic. Both are totally okay. It’s your bucket list after all.
Putting them together to create a self-care bucket list just means you have a list of self-care activities you would like to do in your lifetime. These could be really big or just things you’ve never done before and would like to. They may be super expensive or totally free.
Sometimes I see these lists, usually seasonally, where people share self-care bucket list items. For example a fall self-care bucket list for the season and it includes things like walking in the leaves, drinking a PSL, or baking an apple pie. While those things sound amazing… to me, that is just a fall to-do list. These are not really bucket list items (however, that is only my opinion. If you’ve never had a PSL before it may make your list and rightfully so because they are delicious).
The way I see it, a self-care bucket list is bigger ticket items so keep that in mind as we continue on!
Why you should create a self-care bucket list
Having a bucket list is a form of motivation and inspiration. It’s an unofficial list of goals and dreams that you have.
So often when setting goals the focus is on being realistic and achievable. Your bucket list is full of the things you just really want to do. You don’t know how you’ll do it or even if you’ll do it but it’s in the back of your mind regardless.
Not every goal in life will be achievable. Some goals may always seem out of reach. Should you never dream of them because of that though? Heck no!
I love dreamers. People who can dream and believe that one day they will do something amazing without getting discouraged or giving up are my type of people.
I think that a self-care bucket list should be on everyone’s to-do list. Not only is self-care important, but, when it comes to taking care of yourself, branching out, trying new things, and having something awesome to work towards is a must.
Ultimately, you are the most important person in your life and if you won’t treat yourself, no one will. Why not create a dreamy self-care bucket list that gives you something to look forward to for years to come?
Related reads:
- The Best Wellness Products For A Day At Home
- How To Practice Self-Care When You’re Obsessed With Personal Growth
My self-care bucket list
As I mentioned before, there are a few expensive activities/experiences on my self-care bucket list. I really don’t think that’s a bad thing. In a world of people trying to be more minimalist and putting less importance on expensive trips and fancy things, I don’t think there is anything wrong with wanting those things.
If someone was given the chance to go on an unbelievable vacation, all expenses paid, would they turn it down because of minimalism and costs? I doubt it.
One day I hope I am in the position to not worry about the price of a hotel or to not check the price of a new skin care product. I’m not there yet but a girl can dream! So, here are some of the items on my self-care bucket list (or as I sometimes like to call it, my self-care to-do list because I plan on DOING these things some day).
What is on my self-care bucket list:
- Scandinave Spa in Whistler, BC (going here soon!)
- Stay at a hotel right on the beach in Hawaii where I could read all the books and drink all the pina coladas by a fancy pool or by the ocean
- A proper massage at a fancy spa
- Work with a personal trainer
- Do a puppy yoga class
- Purchase a jacuzzi bathtub or have a hot tub at home
- Go to float therapy
- Get my teeth whitened
- Laser hair removal
- Visit beautiful libraries such as the Admont Abbey Library in Austria and The Old Library at Trinity College in Ireland.
My list will keep growing I’m sure as the years go by but I hope to knock off a few of these things at the same time.
As a Vancouver local, the Scandinave Spa is a popular spot that I’ve always been meaning to go to so I’m really happy I’ll finally be going there. Some of my other travels may take a long, long time to achieve but I feel hopeful that I will one day.
To some, vacations or laser hair removal (or any of the things I listed), might not be self-care, but to me these are things that make me feel pampered and taken care of in multiple ways!
Final thoughts
I hope this post has inspired you to create your own self-care bucket list. If nothing else, its a fun way to explore all the things you want to do in your lifetime. Whether you focus solely on self-care or add your self-care checklist to a more broad bucket list, dreaming is a fun activity.
Self-care can be done in a variety of ways. There is no right or wrong way to do it. The one thing to always keep in mind though is that self-care is holistic. It’s not just physical— it’s mental, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and so on.
Also, as you’ve learned, I am not a minimalist. I don’t think there is anything wrong with wanting luxury or wanting to have more things or more money.
Don’t feel bad if you create your self-care bucket list and decide you really want a face cream that costs $500. Is it outrageous? Yup! Can you still dream that one day you’ll have it? Yes you can!
Don’t allow yourself limits when creating your bucket list. Let your imagination soar and dream your biggest dreams. They may seem far fetched now but a few years from now you may find your wildest dreams coming true (and I hope they do).
Tell me something that is on your self-care bucket list!!
