From the Bucket List to the YOLO List!
Many of you may remember our article where we encouraged folks to stop talking about retirement. After all, who wants to be tired over and over again? Instead, we suggested thinking about your “permacation”—as in, permanently being on vacation. Sounds and feels a whole lot better, doesn’t it?
A recent client and friend put it perfectly after relocating to Arizona and joining an active-adult community. He told us, “It’s like being at summer camp—all day, every day!”
Yes, please!
Well, we’re continuing our mission of reconsidering how we label—and ultimately how we feel about—some of life’s major transitions.
This time, it’s about becoming “empty nesters.”
After years of our lives being virtually consumed with raising our boys, they have now officially launched. We couldn’t be more proud of them, and we’re excited for the visits, family holidays and adventures that lie ahead.
But there’s one thing we didn’t quite anticipate…
Suddenly, there’s A LOT of time on our hands!
So…now what?
Enter the YOLO List!
We’ve heard the term “bucket list” for years, but it has always kind of freaked us out.
Why does accomplishing the things you dream about have to be tied to kicking the bucket? Why wait until someday to start doing the things that make you excited about life?
Perhaps there’s a better way to think about it.
Instead of a bucket list, we’re embracing a YOLO list!
For those who may not know, YOLO stands for You Only Live Once.
To us, YOLO isn’t about being reckless or irresponsible. It’s about being intentional. It’s a reminder to enjoy this one precious life we’ve been given and to stop putting all the fun stuff on the “someday” list.
After all, Grandma used to say, “All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy.”
And Uncle Bill had his own philosophy:
“When it’s 90 and sunny, go to the beach!”
We think they were both onto something.
So here we are—empty nesters and officially YOLOing like never before!
We recently went to see Jason Aldean, and we’re so glad we did. We’re making plans for some fun trips, looking for new adventures and even planning a day trip to Bainbridge Island to check out a world-renowned pizza maker with a restaurant over there.
Why not?
That’s the whole point.
What’s on YOUR YOLO List?
So, what are you waiting for?
Start writing down the musicians you’d love to see. The hikes you’d love to experience. The places you’d love to visit. The restaurants you’ve been meaning to try. The adventures you keep saying you’ll get around to “someday.”
Write them down.
Talk about them.
Make plans.
Put some positive energy behind them.
It’s amazing what can happen when you take those dreams out of your head and put them on paper. Somehow, once you start paying attention to the things that excite you, opportunities seem to appear—and dreams that once felt like “maybe someday” start becoming reality.
And our YOLO list isn’t just about travel, entertainment and having fun.
One of the things we want to do more of is helping others, strengthening our faith and making a positive difference in the lives of the people around us.
We’ve heard Heaven is even better than Earth, and we sure hope to get there someday!
But in the meantime, why not make a little Heaven right here on Earth?
Laugh more. Love more. Explore more. Serve more. Spend time with the people who matter most. Try something new. Say yes to the adventure. And don’t wait for the perfect time—because the perfect time is often right now.
So here’s to empty nests, new adventures, summer-camp living and, most importantly…
Here’s to YOLOing!
What’s on your YOLO list?
Until next time, remember to love yourself and love your neighbors as yourself.
Your neighbors and friends,
Matt & Christina
Matt & Christina are Team Skally, top real estate agents in the Seattle Metro with expertise in luxury homes on the Eastside including Bellevue, Newcastle, Issaquah and Kirkland. Their client testimonials say it all - they deliver exceptional service and record-breaking results. Recognized as top agents on social media by Property Sparks, Diamond Award winners for best client service, Nextdoor’s Neighborhood Faves and regularly featured in online and print publications including Luxury Home Magazine, Puget Sound Business Journal, and Greet - Newcastle & Newport Hills Magazine. In addition to serving clients, Matt and Christina love family time with their two sons and Goldendoodle as well as volunteering in the community.