My 2026 bucket list

AD/Aff – Some of the following links are affiliate links and will be marked with an asterisk (*). You can read my disclaimer here.

I love a good bucket list! I have previously shared my 2023 bucket list. I also love to create bucket lists for places, seasons and I’ve also got a ‘Things to do before I’m 30’ though I’m less sure on this one as I first started writing it when I was still a teenager! I adore lists; they help me stay organised, so it has become a bit of a tradition for me to come up with a bucket list for the year. Last year’s bucket list was very unsuccessful as they were quite unrealistic. For my 2026 bucket list I have gone more for things that I want to do this year, rather than something random.

1. Reduce my phone screen time

I’ve always been on my phone a bit too much, but towards the end of the year, I was actively trying to use my phone less. I noticed that my screen time was at 24 hours during one particular week, which scared me, as that is literally one day out of the week solely on my phone.

Since then, I have added a screen time widget to my home screen so I can see it throughout the day. I’ve also got a lower time limit for Instagram, and deleted TikTok from my home screen as it is so easy to scroll endlessly. I am so much more aware, and for the past few week,s my weekly screen time has been about 13 hours which is a lot better! Sometimes it can’t be helped, such as using Google Maps or doing admin tasks. But I mainly want to reduce my pointless scrolling.

2. Learn how to make bagels

Bagels are one of my favourite ecology survey dinners, so it would be cool if I made my own! I received a cookbook for Christmas, which has a recipe for bagels, so I can’t wait to try it out.

3. Go to the doctor about rosacea

The next thing on my 2026 bucket list is going to the doctor about my skin. I’m pretty certain that I have rosacea, so I would really like to get some advice and discuss how to reduce redness.

4. Crochet something

I think this was on my bucket list in 2024 or 2025, but when I actually came to it, I thought it looked far too complicated! I’ve wanted to crochet something for years, and I’ve decided this year is the year it’s going to happen. I tried to crochet a flower and got halfway through before I dropped a stitch and somehow managed to unravel it all. I was gutted because it even looked like a flower! I would also love to crochet an animal hat for my nephew, who is due in a few months.

5. Watch a 2000s classic/chick-flick film once a month (preferably with popcorn!)

Last year, I discovered that I hadn’t seen that many classic chick-flicks, even though I say they are my favourite type of film. I started watching a few last year, but this year I want to sit down properly and watch with no other distractions, and preferably a bowl of popcorn. This is what I’m thinking:

• Clueless
• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
• The Notebook
• When Harry Met Sally ✅
• Bend It Like Beckham
• Bring It On
• Maid in Manhattan
• 27 Dresses
• The Proposal

Continue reading: My 2026 bucket list

6. Get my houseplants thriving again

I think that I’ve gotten worse at looking after houseplants the older I have gotten! I used to have six succulents, and even managed to keep one alive for 8 years, but that one has recently died. I’m very good at looking after prayer plants, though that does seem to be the only one. I started with a cutting from my brother’s, and have since split it into six more healthy growing plants. I’ve also got a Devil’s Ivy plant, which is looking good, and my Monstera isn’t too bad. But I can’t seem to get my money plant to thrive; the leaves keep dropping off.

7. Complete the first year of ‘One List a Day’ journal

As I previously mentioned, I love a list, and I also love journaling. I found a three-year journal where each day is a different list, and then you can compare your answers from the three years. A few years ago, I completed the ‘52 Lists Project‘*, which was one list a week, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is also a good chance to really think about your answers. I’m going to try my best to do it every day.

Buy One List a Day journal from Bookshop*

8. Take more videos of little moments

I don’t take mini videos but they can be nice to look back on.

9. See puffins at Bempton Cliffs

I’ve never seen a puffin before and they are on my wildlife species bucket list, so I would really like to make it happen this year. Bempton Cliffs is about three hours from where I will be living in Cheshire, and 1.5 hours from where my brother lives in Leeds. The puffin season is April until July inclusive, so I think May or June would be a good time to go.

10. Take a pottery wheel throwing class

I’ve been wanting to do this for awhile, and a couple of years ago I considered asking for this for Christmas but decided not too. There is a pottery studio down the road from me, so now would be the perfect chance for me to go.

What’s on your 2026 bucket list?

Caroline ♡