6 bucket list items to check off without leaving home

(BPT) - It may be a while before you can see the sights in France or climb Mount Fuji in Japan. But even if your bucket list is dominated by world travel and adventure, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on it altogether. Instead, think outside the box, or the bucket in this case. You may be surprised by what you can “check off” from the comforts of home.

If you’re not quite sure where to start, think about all those things you've always wanted to do, but never had time for. What would make the cut? Learning a new language? Redecorating your home? Honing your skills in the kitchen? In today’s uncertain times, a bucket half-full mindset is encouraged.

1. Witness a once-in-a-lifetime event

You may be feeling more inclined than ever before to take your curiosity outdoors. After all, it’s the perfect time to discover the world of celestial wonders. Perhaps you’d like to see a meteor shower up close? Or maybe a lunar eclipse? If there are too many city lights where you live, sneak off to an isolated spot outside of town with less light pollution where you can observe the stars while social distancing.

2. Learn a foreign language

Whether you’ve had an itch to learn Japanese or are hoping to brush up on your high school French, why not start now? There are a lot of virtual language learning options to choose from, but perhaps the best-known is Rosetta Stone.

With more than 25 years under its belt, Rosetta Stone’s offerings have evolved to include some of the best features and experiences the virtual learning world has to offer. For example, Rosetta Stone’s 20-minute Live Lessons help you practice listening and speaking with a native-speaking coach — because real-life conversation is the best way to hone your language skills. Best of all, Live Lessons are free — you don’t even need a subscription to participate in them.

3. Create wonders in the kitchen

Challenge yourself in the kitchen by taking your cooking skills to an international level. Learn what "chiffonade" and "umami" mean, and then put your new culinary know-how into practice. Start by focusing on one dish you’ve always wanted to make; then research all the different types of recipes for it. Let the great experimenting begin!

4. Take up a new hobby

There’s no time like quarantine to learn how to knit, make fishing lures, or play the piano. We recommend exploring hobbies that let you dive into other cultures, like Japanese brush painting or Norwegian wood carving. You can find tutorials on the internet for whatever you’d like to try. To get started, search for how-to videos and beginner articles on the hobby so you can uncover what types of supplies you’ll need.

5. Adopt a rescue animal

Feeling social distancing fatigue? Consider adopting a pet! But first, make sure your place is pet-ready for your fur-ever companion. Get your home dog-proofed or cat-proofed and make sure you’re stocked with all the necessary supplies.

6. Plan your next adventure

If you’re still trying to scratch your international travel bug itch, start researching the place you’d like to go next. Learn about that country's geography, history, culture, food and language. Once you’ve mastered that destination’s native tongue, you’ll have all the tools you need to set forth and explore the world when international travel returns.