Who knew being at home 24/7 would make me long for all the things I never did before all of this pandemic craziness? Now that I’ve had plenty of time to crave different experiences, I’ve compiled my list of things I wear I’m going to do once this pandemic is handled.
Go to Six Flags
This seems crazy and when I elaborate you’re going to know just how financially irresponsible I can be. My partner and I moved to Dallas in July and Six Flags Over Texas is only an hour away! I love theme parks and roller coasters. I’ve been so excited since we knew we were moving. So excited, in fact, that I’ve been paying $22 every month since July to have the top tier membership because I was fully planning on going basically every single day I wasn’t at work. Turns out I was still tired, had chores, and love being lazy on my days off just like before we moved. I have gone exactly zero times. I’m going to go to Six Flags once this whole thing is over no matter what.
Try New Restaurants
Right before everything got shut down, my partner and I discussed trying a new restaurant every two weeks. Literally the week before our state declared state of emergency. So now I have to make a list of local restaurants to go to once it’s safe so we can skip the “where do we want to go” nonsense that comes with trying to go somewhere new. Once both of us say “um, I don’t know, where do you want to go” it’s basically a countdown until we decided on the Raising Cane’s drive-thru and we eat in our separate offices.
Local Museums and Galleries
Dallas has tons of different museums, art galleries, and cultural centers that I haven’t gone to. And by tons I mean literally all of them. Between moving and getting settled straight into retail holiday season and then slingshotting into pandemic shutdown, I haven’t had the opportunity to go to any museums or galleries. One of my partner and my first dates was to the Austin Natural History museum. It’s something both of us love that we can really enjoy together.
Actually Make (and Keep) Plans with People
I am notoriously the one who is “too tired” or “has to get up early” or “has a thing at home I have to do.” I typically was a little sad I didn’t take people up on their offers or didn’t try to hang out with my friends and coworkers but I always told myself “next time.” Now that I know the opportunity could disappear, I’m going to be much more social and engaged. And I was also pretty bad about bailing too. I know, the worst kind of person.
See More Movies in Theater
My partner and I rarely make the effort to go see movies in theater. I think I can count on one hand the movies we saw in theaters last year. Each movie we did see really impressed me and I’m not sure I would’ve had the same experience watching it for the first time at home. A lot of times it’s just about not wanting to get up and go when we could just stay home instead. While I’m not going to be an opening night kinda person, I’m definitely making more of an effort to go see more films in theater.
Go to Farmers’ Markets
While I’ve seen lots of people promoting shopping locally at their farmers’ markets, I’m big into browsing and perusing. I want to make a whole day out of it and be able to really appreciate the experience instead of feeling tense about making as quick a trip as possible. We currently make a pretty precise grocery list based on the layout of the grocery store in order to make the trip efficient; I wouldn’t even know where to start at a farmers’ market.
Take More Pictures
I always wished I took more pictures when I went places but either forgot or felt weird asking someone to take a picture or awkward posing. Plus I had to actually like the end result. Now that I’m not going anywhere worth taking a picture, I’m thinking about all my missed opportunities. Utilizing my Instagram has been on my to-do list for a while but when you aren’t taking pictures, what do you post? Standards are now officially lowered and I’m about to make sure I have documentation of every place I get to go after this!
Beauty Services
I’ve been wanting to start tanning again and I’ve been curious about waxing but it scares me and I haven’t made time for either. Now that I’m unable to do either, my desire is at an all time high. I also want to get a full pedicure and maybe I should check out a massage parlor nearby? Being told no is always a trigger for my desire to do the thing to skyrocket so now I’m desperate to try all these new beautifying experiences. Maybe I’ll even get my eyebrows threaded and lash extensions. Who knows?
What’s on your post-pandemic bucket list? Is anything on my list something you did before but can’t now? Share what you’re most looking forward to in the comments and don’t forget to subscribe to my email list for weekly inspirational quotes, recipes, and how I’m staying motivated during all of this!
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