5 Reasons Teachers Need a Fall Bucket List
The weather is finally starting to cool down, and your mind may still be focused on work. However, don’t let the daily grind stop you from enjoying the beautiful fall weather. As an educator, it can be hard to find time to think about things other than work. But, let’s not miss the wonderful opportunity to celebrate fall. You can ensure that you make the most of the autumn season by creating a Fall Bucket List
What is a Fall Bucket List
A Fall Bucket List is a list of all the things that you want to accomplish before the season is over. We all have ideas about the things we would like to do during “sweater weather”, but unfortunately, these ideas usually remain just that ideas. So, a Fall Bucket List is when you actually stop and write down a list of the things that you plan to do during the fall season. The following are 5 reasons that teachers need to create a Fall Bucket List.
Take Your Mind Off Work
Whether you admit it or not, chances are good that you are a workaholic. You think about work at home. You don’t seem to know how to set clear boundaries. Your work life has flown over into your personal life, and that’s a firm “no-no”. There should always be a clear boundary between work and home. Sounds impossible, I know. However, a Fall Bucket List is just the thing to help get your mind off of work. Concentrating on something fun will help to remember the thin line between work and family.
Gives You Something to Look Forward Too
Okay, the weekend shouldn’t be the only thing that you look forward to as a teacher. If we are honest, most of us spend the weekends either sleeping or trying to catch up on housework that we didn’t do during the regular work week. So, instead of doing countless chores, a Fall Bucket List will give you a list of fun things to do instead of that pile of laundry.
Shift Your Focus from Work to Family and Friends
Too often our families and friends take a back seat to our jobs. As teachers, we want to give our students the best. We want to make learning fun and educational at the same time. However, all of this is coming at a cost. We are unintentionally giving up our families in favor of work. I know it may not seem like work to you. It may seem like try to make sure that your class gets the most out the lessons you teach. However, it is actually work. We don’t want to think of it this way, but teaching is “job”. It may also be a “work of heart”, but it is still a “real job”. And, we do need to treat it like a job.
When we leave work, we need to leave work at work. Stop lugging papers home. Instead, enjoy time with your family. One of the ways to do that is to plan activities that include them. You can do that with your Fall Bucket List. When creating your list, make sure that you include activities that you can do with your family.
It Will Make You the Focus
So many times, we spend our days focused on other people and other things. We worry about making sure our lesson plans are done. We worry about how the students will enjoy the lesson. We hope our administrators will appreciate the work and effort we put into our class. We hurry home to prepare meals for our family, and we try to get all the cleaning done. This leaves little time for selfcare.
A Fall Bucket List can be just the thing to help you prioritize “you”. This is a list of all the things that YOU want to do. This checklist is focused on you instead of other people. Sure, you can include your family in the activities that you plan. However, make sure that your Fall Bucket List is of you.
Way to Enjoy “Sweater Weather”
Don’t forget that Fall is the start of “sweater weather”. The cooler temperatures can make any outdoor activity a little more fun. You don’t have to worry about getting too hot, and if the temperature drop, you can always grab a sweater.
Country moments are some of the best moments. As the weather changes, you can begin to notice the subtle signs of fall. As fall approaches, stop dreaming of things to do and create a “Fall Bucket List”.
How Do You Plan a Fall Bucket List
You start by deciding what things you would like to accomplish this fall. This should be the things that you will enjoy the most and not some random things that you could do during any other season of the year.
Do you want some suggestions? Listed below are a few things you can consider doing this fall:
*Visit a pumpkin patch
Take a trip to your local pumpkin patch. Take some nice pictures. Pick out a pumpkin or two to take home for decorating.
*Decorate some pumpkins to look like your favorite book or movie characters
I love this activity! I am an avid reader, and I really enjoy turning ordinary pumpkins into beautiful representations of some of my favorite books.
*Try some Pumpkin Spice
Whether you drink it with your coffee or add it to your oatmeal, don’t forget to add trying some pumpkin spice to your Fall Bucket List. I’ll be adding this one to mine.
*Go on a nature walk
Take a walk. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the woods of your backyard or through the city park, be sure to get out into nature this fall.
*Go on a hayride
Hayrides are a fun part of the fall season. Hitch up the wagon and head off to enjoy the countryside.
*Have a scary movie marathon
It’s spooky time! Enjoy those wonderful Halloween movies with the kids or a friend. All you need is a streaming subscription. If you don’t have streaming, you can always rental your favorite scary movies. Grab some popcorn and enjoy.
*Create a fall photo album of all the beautiful fall foliage
Capture the season in pictures. Take some quick pictures of the autumn season this year and create a photo album. This will allow you to keep fall with you all year long.
*Go tailgating
Are you ready for some football? Well, whether you are ready or not, football season is in full swing. Tailgating can be a fun way to enjoy the fall weather and one of America’s favorite pastimes.
*Fall Festival
Another way to get out and enjoy the fall season is by attending a fall festival. Whether it’s a big event or small one, fall festivals offer a great opportunity to relax and take your mind off of school.
It’s finally fall! Instead of letting those school day blues set in, create a Fall Bucket List. Make the list full of all the fun things that you like to do. Add in some activities that you can do with the whole family. Most of all enjoy your fall.
Book to read: