Bucket List for the Sweetheart

In the spirit of the new year, coupled the fact that it’s nearly springtime, we figured now is the best time to share our bucket list for the Sweetheart. The Sweetheart is all about exuding grace. She finds joy in the little things – writing a letter to a friend, cooking a cozy meal on a chilly day, arranging flowers in her kitchen, serving those in her community through her kind words and a sincere heart. The prompts on this bucket list have surely encouraged us to channel our inner Sweetheart, and will continue to inspire us to establish a loving home, a deeper faith, and ultimately, a wholeness of vision.

Read the entire Bible

This sounds daunting, but it’s also an exciting invitation to be in God’s word every single day. We always read fragments of Scripture during sermons and in our own devotional time, but we rarely get to take a step back and see the Bible in its entirety – as a narrative of God’s constant display of power and love for his creation. Plus, there’s so many daily, weekly, or even monthly plans out there through apps and blogs to help you reach your goal.

Grow a garden

Whether you live out in the country and have acres of land, or are in a tiny apartment in the midst of a bustling metropolis, there’s always a way to get involved and use that green thumb of yours to get to work. Most cities have a community garden that are in need of volunteers. If you have the space, conduct some research and decide what types of herbs, vegetables or flowers you want to grow. Be sure to document your progress and share what you’ve grown with your loved ones.

Cook a homemade meal one night a week

Finding a recipe is so easy now thanks to Pinterest. With the click of a button we now have access to thousands of yummy recipes from all around the globe. Find one night a week that you can make time to cook a meal – even if it’s just for yourself. Plan your meals out days or even weeks in advance to make sure you have enough time to stock up on ingredients. You can even plan themed dinners that go with a movie or era.

Meet one new person a day

As cringeworthy as this may seem to some of us introverts, meeting someone new (and outside of your group of friends) and getting to know them, even if it’s super brief, is a great way to focus on someone else for a few minutes and hear from another perspective. We so often become so consumed with our own thoughts and our own opinions, that it can bar us from experiencing true empathy and from learning of someone else that’s very different than us. Next time you’re in line for the cash register, turn to the person behind you and strike up a conversation.

Join a book club

This is a wonderful way to meet new people and share your love for the written word. Join a local book club or Bible study and start reading today!

Write letters to all your friends

Nothing is more personal than a handwritten letter. This year, challenge yourself and everytime a family member or friend has a birthday coming up or is even in need of a little encouragement, send a personalized letter. It really shows how much you care, and it’s the perfect way to keep in touch with loved ones.

Learn more about your ancestry

This one will take a bit more planning, but if you’re up for it, talk to your family and try to learn as much as you can about your family history. It’s important to realize where we came from. A lot of us had to do family history projects in school, so try your best to view this as an exciting opportunity, not a school assignment. Find websites and databases that can equip you to learn all about your family tree.

Take a flower arranging class

This is something we’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t had the chance yet. For 2018, we’re going to find a local flower arranging class and enroll. What better way to welcome Spring? For months to come our homes can be filled with beautifully arranged bouquets.

Find a pen pal

This goes hand in hand with the writing letters prompt, but find someone in your circle that you can write to consistently. Now that social media is such a prominent part of our lives, we rarely update people in our lives through the written word. To change things up, write letters or send cards all year long to the person of your choice and send them through snail mail. If you plan on travelling, send postcards back and forth.

Have a country picnic

For those of you who live amidst the hustle and bustle of a city, sometimes a quick trip to a rural landscape is in order to give you some peace of mind. On a weekend, grab a friend or a significant other and head out beyond the city limits to a park, reserve, beach, or even national park. Bring your favorite snacks, dress in your favorite outfit and dine in style.