Bucket lists. Everyone needs one.

Some people have one in an app, some are in their heads, others have one written down somewhere (mine is in OneNote — if you don't know what that is, look it up. It's fantastic).

If you don't have a bucket list, it's not too late to start! Bucket lists aren't necessarily just things to do before you die, they should consist of things you aspire to do to make your life fuller while you're living it! Since everyone has different likes, hopes, and dreams, everyone's bucket list is unique!

What kinds of things should be on one's bucket list? Personally, I have certain cities I want to visit (London, New York City), certain places I want to see (Grand Canyon, all five Great Lakes), things I want to do (marry a great guy, road trip with friends), or things I want to accomplish (graduate college, be a mom). I also have some little things like have a midnight champagne toast on New Year's Eve and go karaokeing, and some lifestyle things like fall in love or learn Italian.

Another great thing about bucket lists is that they're ever changing. As I think of things that would be great to accomplish or see in my life, I add them to my bucket list. As I check things off, I add more to the list. It's always growing and changing, making it even more exciting!

Not only should making and checking things off your bucket list make you feel accomplished and happy, it's way better than a New Year's Resolution! Why, you ask? Well, let me tell you!!

Bucket lists don't require something to be done in just a year. There are no time limits to completing your bucket list! There are some items on my bucket list that can be checked off simultaneously, like seeing a Broadway show and seeing Wicked (you know, if I saw Wicked on Broadway… two birds with one stone!). Sometimes I check off a lot of items at one time and then go months without checking any off, and that's totally OK!! Another great attribute of bucket lists–it's not an everyday activity! You may make a list, and check off the entire thing in a year or two, or you may work on it your whole life. And guess what? It's OK! You can take as long or as short of a time completing your list. AND you might not even complete it entirely, but it gives you something to strive for. It might give you some goals to accomplish or something to motivate you to do more with your life. If you can't tell yet, I'm a big fan of bucket lists!

If you're a firm believer in New Year's Resolutions, good for you. If you're part of that group, I would suggest adding "make a bucket list" to that list of resolutions for 2017! Let's make this year the year to start checking things off our bucket lists and start living our lives to the fullest!