4 bucket list ideas for 2022

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

{This is a collaborative post}

Another year has rolled around.

And while the previous two have been distinctly more… unique than those that came before them, the uncertainty for many has only renewed our desire to push ourselves that little bit further and expect more out of life.

So it’s no surprise that as New Year rolls around we’re more motivated than ever to cross a few items off our bucket lists and level up our ambitions when it comes to those annual resolutions. With that in mind, these are just four of the most common bucket list entries – how many are on yours?  

1. Renovate your home

Maybe your home is full of odd jobs that you’ve been putting off since the day you moved in. Or perhaps the DIY renovations you began in lockdown have fallen by the wayside, and still need that final push to finish them off.

Take it one room – or even one task – at a time. Draw up a list of priorities and work through them as and when you’re ready. Resolutions don’t have to be done all at once – turn it into a long-term and sustainable project, I'm certainly going to. The bathroom is the first on the hit-list as I need to clean up the grout, or maybe even dig it all out and re-grout it as it can make such a difference to how fresh the room looks. 

3 Getaways Abroad for a Relaxing Trip

Photo by Jeff Sheldon on Unsplash

{This post is written in collaboration with Emily Jones}

After a year of staying indoors and lockdowns, we are all craving some sun and a fun excursion. A relaxing holiday to an exotic location can help to relieve the anxiety and stress caused by the pandemic and will be a really welcome release for most people.

If you are planning a getaway abroad, here are three destinations worth considering -

 

1. Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Experience ultimate relaxation soaking in the geothermally heated water surrounded by breathtaking views of the Icelandic landscape. The Blue Lagoon is an artificial spa that utilizes water from the surrounding geothermal plant. The water is warm all-year-round making it perfect for soaking in even in extreme temperatures. Besides, the minerals and silica boost its healing properties, making it perfect for rejuvenating your skin and relaxing your mind.

The ideal time to vacation at the Blue lagoon is during winter if you want your skin to reap the benefits of both warm and cold temperatures. Apart from swimming in the spa, you can enjoy a drink in the swim-up bars. You can also enjoy premium services like facemasks and other treatments from the in-water mask bar at Blue Lagoon. The silica and algae masks have numerous health benefits for your skin, reducing signs of ageing and nourishing your skin.

Our First Family Holiday Abroad

Our family is away in Spain at the moment. It's the kids first holiday abroad and I've not been on a package holiday since I was pregnant with JJ in May 2013. We hadn't intended to be a family who just holidays in the UK but that was sort of the way things have panned out. We got JJ his first passport in 2006 when he was three and said we would go abroad the next year, of course I then fell pregnant with the twins in November 2006 so that put paid to that plan as neither my husband or I could bear the idea of taking two babies and a toddler on a plane and into the blazing sunshine.

Once the girls were both out of pushchairs and nappies we considered going abroad again but by that time we were having great family holidays in the UK and the kids are really active so I couldn't imagine them enjoying a holiday where they just sat by the pool. I know I've asked JJ many times over the years if he fancies an abroad holiday and he always looks horrified and says no, he enjoys the hustle, bustle and organised activities of holiday camps and places like Butlins in the UK.

Term Time Holidays - Yes or No?

Image Credit: Mayan Ruin from Shutterstock

It's quite a major debate, isn't it?  I am constantly seeing posts across my social media feeds with parents asking other parents if they should take their child out of school to go on holiday. We all know that the price of holidays depends on the popularity of the time of year and it is pretty logical really.

When JJ first started school we took him on a term-time holiday each year as it meant we could enjoy a break with my parents for next-to-nothing and seeing as I wasn't earning major money it was just what we needed. Time to be a family, have fun together and recharge our batteries. We didn't have any qualms about doing it as he was just 4 or 5 years old and the the few days he missed school were not crucial in the overall scheme of things - he is a bright boy.

Then things changed, the twins became old enough to go to school and JJ was learning different kinds of subjects and we felt he might miss out by not being at school. Also the ten days discretionary leave that a Head could issue changed and now Head Teachers can only authorise leave in exceptional circumstances and those circumstances are left up to the Heads discretion. It is a bit of a minefield to be honest now.