Bucket List Collage

 

I don’t think my life will end when I get married. I don’t think it will begin either. Perhaps the union will be the sequel, the to be continued or the happily ever after to my current single state of mind. I don’t live my life hoping and waiting for a husband. Yes, it would be nice if he comes riding in on a horse or in an environmentally friendly car, but he won’t bring happiness. I already have a smile on my face. Maybe he’ll turn it into a school girl grin that shows all my teeth. For now, I’m enjoying my journey. Relationships, and marriages, are hard work. So it’s nice to exhaust my energy on myself for now. Before I jump the broom, I hope to jump for joy when I complete my Before Marriage Bucket List. I urge all singles to create a checklist of their own. Feel free to steal some of my ideas!

 

1. Take a Trip 

Subscribe to a deal a day website, and you score an affordable vacation package for one. Travelling solo creates a high level of independence and self-reliance. Just make sure you select a safe city, and let your loved one know where you’ll be when you escape the daily grind. If you don’t want to travel abroad by yourself, select somewhere in another time zone. Or drive across the country, sightseeing along the way. If you can’t afford to go away, live in a hotel for the weekend. Then, relish in being able to pick a vacation spot without putting it up to a vote!

 

2. Break the Bank  

Not literally. But splurge on something special. Purchase a big-ticket item, like a designer purse or a surround sound system. And enjoy not checking in with your partner regarding the purchase.

 

3. Make a Mess

Don’t make the bed in the morning. Leave your makeup or shaving products out on the sink. And let the laundry pile up another day before you want to go to happy hour not the laundry mat. There’s no one to nag you about following the cleaning schedule.

 

4. Take up a Hobby

Swing by a club, pick up a paintbrush or beat a drum. Discover a new talent or find out one doesn’t exist like you thought. Try something new, and learn something new about yourself. Single or married, you should explore and establish your own individual interests.

 

5. Get a Makeover

Rock that Halle Berry cut you’ve been admiring for years. Dye your hair bright blonde or perhaps purple. Get another tattoo or piercing. You will always have your individuality, but when you’re single, you don’t have to ask for your partner’s opinion or get unsolicited feedback.

 

6. Adopt a Child

You don’t have to be married to be a mother or a father. Don’t wait on a ring to give a child a home if adoption has always been your dream.   Give a young person a happy home and lots of love, no matter how many people are living under the roof.

 

7. Overcome a Fear

Are you too scared to quit your job, start a business, relocate to another state, tell someone you love him/her, jump out of an airplane or climb a mountain? Look fear in the face, and step out on faith. You will be a stronger, wiser person on the other side of scared.

 

Hey DFTM Fam–What would you add to the list? Married mammas, what was on your bucket list before you jumped the broom?  

About The Author

Vlog Mom/DFTM Creator

Not long ago, Heather Hopson hosted a television show in the Cayman Islands. Today, she's back home writing a different kind of story as a new mom. In her 15 years working as a professional journalist, this by far is her best assignment! Growing up, she dreamed of becoming Oprah Winfrey. She was the features editor for her school’s newspaper and a teen talk show host for her city’s most popular radio station. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. After graduation, she worked as a television producer and reporter at CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates throughout the U.S. Instead of heading to Chicago to join Ms. Winfrey on her set, she bought a plane ticket to the Cayman Islands instead. She arrived five days before a category five hurricane! She lived in paradise for seven years, hosted an award-winning television show and traveled the globe with a government delegation. She also served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and spearheaded a Send a Kid to Camp campaign. Then, she relocated to Washington, D.C. to obtain a teaching certification and instruct 8th grade reading at a high needs middle school. She later returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA to raise her daughter Caitlynn, now 4-years-old. During her 10-month-stint as a stay-at-home mom, Caitlynn inspired her to create this blog, and Diary of a First Time Mom was born on Mother’s Day 2012. Two years later, she expanded the family to include 20+ writers. Currently, Heather serves as the communications director at Allies for Children. In addition, she is the owner of Motor Mouth Multimedia, which ranked #49 in Startup Nation’s Home-Based 100 Competition sponsored by Discover Card and Sam’s Club. Recently, The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments selected Heather to receive an Emerging Black Artist award to develop Diary of a First Time Mom.

6 Responses

  2. Janeane Davis

    Wow! When I got married, I was so young I did not even know what a bucket list was! That was 23 years ago! I like your bucket list though. It is really great. I will share it with my single friends.

    Reply
    • newmom0608

      Well, how about a marriage bucket list? You and your hubby can come up with some things you would like to accomplish together as a couple.

      Reply
  3. Brandi

    This is a really good list. I’d also add to be
    This is a great list. I’d also add to focus on your career. Become a real expert, because once you get coupled up, it may be more challenging to take the time to get better at your work.

    Reply
  4. GG

    Great list! If I’d had more time to be single, and for me that means no kids and no long term relationship, I would have traveled more first and spent more time trying to figure out who I was as an individual. it’s tough trying to figure that out when you already have a baby and a man in tow.

    Reply

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