Is Fun on Your To-Do List Yet?

In this episode, we’re putting fun right where it belongs: on your actual to-do list, next to the bills and the errands. Because “after” never shows up. Your list is never done, so the fun you’re saving for later keeps getting pushed back.

In this episode:
✔ Why “someday” isn’t a destination
✔ The surprising truth about where retreat breakthroughs really happen.
✔ Why fun feels like cheating, and why joy that only happens by accident isn’t a plan
✔ For retreat leaders: why your guests are waiting for you to go first
✔ Your challenge this week: one fun thing, small, medium, or bucket list, with a real date next to it

Plus, a zip line adventure through the jungles of the Dominican Republic, and a shout-out to friend of the pod Karen Talavera, who puts what makes her feel fully alive at the top of her list.

RETREAT NEWS
Do you believe rest is something you have to earn? You’re not alone. A new survey found most Americans badly need a break, yet believe rest has to be earned first.
Read the story (Men’s Fitness):
https://www.mensfitness.com/news/americans-take-the-fewest-vacation-days-of-any-wealthy-nation-the-bigger-problem-is-we-think-we-have-to-earn-the-rest

RETREAT REVIEWS
Bunk One by Camp Social: summer camp nostalgia, elevated. A women’s retreat on a private ranch in the hills of San Diego, with campfires, stargazing, a Galentine’s Glow Party, and a letter to yourself mailed back six months later. Come solo, leave with a whole new circle.
https://campsocial.com/pages/bunk-one

FREE “SOMEDAY LIST” TEMPLATE
Ready to move your dreams out of the someday pile? Grab the free Someday List template:
https://canva.link/o4pwpjb405ai4xf
Or comment SOMEDAY on Instagram @bucketlistretreatstm and we’ll send it right to you.

FIND YOUR HAPPY AGAIN
Join us in the Dominican Republic this January for zip lines, jungle adventures, and a week designed to help you find your happy again.
https://bucketlistretreats.com/dominican-republic

No pen required. Everything you heard about is right here in the show notes. And while you’re down here, give the show a thumbs up or a like!

EXPLORE & CONNECT

Bucket List Retreats®:
https://bucketlistretreats.com

Podcast:
https://bucketlistretreats.com/podcast

Find Your Happy Again: Dominican Republic Women’s Retreat:
https://bucketlistretreats.com/dominican-republic

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3yNtFg49cUzO72L6wXNpGC

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bucketlistretreatstm/

Facebook:
https://facebook.com/bucketlistretreats

Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bucketlistretreatexperiences

Shop:
https://BucketListRetreats.etsy.com

Subscribe to Bucket List Retreats: The Podcast for new episodes every Friday at noon Mountain Standard Time. Share this conversation with one friend who could use a little encouragement to try something new.

If not now, when?

Your fun can’t wait for “after.” Put it on the list.

Your Retreat BFF

Have you ever said, “That’s just not me”—then tried something new and surprised yourself? Discover how going on a retreat can open the door to self-discovery, personal growth and interests you never knew you had.

In this episode of Bucket List Retreats: The Podcast, I’m exploring why it’s not too late to become someone new. Stepping outside your routine can give you room to try solo travel, creative activities, new friendships or a little adventure—without needing to reinvent your entire life.

We talk about:
• Moving beyond familiar roles and old ideas about yourself.
• Trying something new, even when you’re a beginner.
• How retreat experiences can help you discover what you enjoy.
• Bringing new interests and habits home after a retreat.
• Enjoying a hobby without turning it into another job!

In Retreat News, we take a thoughtful look at BookRetreats.com’s State of Retreats 2026 Report, including interest in creative retreats and learning new skills. We also examine who was surveyed and what the findings can—and can’t—tell us.

In Retreat Reviews, we explore The Embodied Reset from 3B Movement in Provo, Utah, using The 5 B’s™ of Choosing a Retreat: Basics, Beauty, Benefits, Believability and Belonging. From Pilates and dance to creative workshops, we look at the experience advertised and the questions I’d ask before booking.

For retreat leaders and planners, there’s a useful question here too: what do your guests get to try, discover and bring home?

Plus, I share a little about returning to podcasting after nine years and how I felt after my own recent retreat.

A bucket list is about experiences that make us feel fully alive—not only places to visit.

What’s one thing you’ve been calling “not me” that you’re curious to try? Tell me in the comments!

EPISODE RESOURCES

State of Retreats 2026 Report:
https://bookretreats.com/blog/the-state-of-retreats-report/

The Embodied Reset — 3B Movement:
https://www.3bmovement.com/embodied-reset

Additional retreat details:
https://myembodiedreset.com/

EXPLORE & CONNECT

Bucket List Retreats®:
https://bucketlistretreats.com

Podcast:
https://bucketlistretreats.com/podcast

Find Your Happy Again — Dominican Republic Women’s Retreat:
https://bucketlistretreats.com/dominican-republic

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Bucketlistretreats

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3yNtFg49cUzO72L6wXNpGC

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bucketlistretreatstm/

Facebook:
https://facebook.com/bucketlistretreats

Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bucketlistretreatexperiences

Shop Bucket List Retreats:
https://BucketListRetreats.etsy.com

New episodes every Friday at noon Mountain Standard Time. Subscribe on YouTube or follow wherever you listen, and share this conversation with a friend.

If not now, when?

What goes into planning a retreat beyond choosing a beautiful destination?

Welcome to Season 2 of Bucket List Retreats: The Podcast! Kelly Morgan Merly takes you behind the scenes of retreat planning—from understanding your community to finding the right partners, shaping the itinerary, and making room for guests to enjoy the experience.

With three new retreats taking shape, Kelly shares an early look at Brazil and how her collaboration with Brazilian world traveler, guide, and interpreter Adriane Lobo is helping bring it to life. She also introduces a new resource for coaches, authors, wellness leaders, and creators who want help turning their own retreat ideas into real experiences.

In Retreat News, we explore the Wellness Tourism Association’s Six Principles for Responsible Retreats and compare them with Kelly’s 5 B’s™: Basics, Beauty, Benefits, Believability, and Belonging.

In Retreat Reviews, Anna Page’s England book retreat offers a clever example of planning around your community’s passions—including dates that let readers extend their trip after Romantasy BookCon or RARE London.

Plus, Kelly is getting ready to head to Colorado as a retreat attendee herself!

If you could bring people together around something you love, what would you want them to experience?

LINKS FROM THIS CONVERSATION

Explore our retreats and find our new creator page:
https://bucketlistretreats.com

Wellness Tourism Association — Six Principles for Responsible Retreats:
https://wellnesstourismassociation.org/six-principles-for-responsible-retreats/

Anna Page’s England book retreat:
https://trovatrip.com/trip/europe/united-kingdom/united-kingdom-with-anna-page-jul-2027

Coffee Lovers thermal mug — browse our Etsy shop:
https://BucketListRetreats.etsy.com

Follow Kelly on Instagram for retreat updates and moments from Colorado:
https://www.instagram.com/bucketlistretreatstm/

Follow the show and share this conversation with someone who has a retreat idea—or loves discovering what makes an experience special.

A bucket list is about the experiences that make us feel fully alive.

If not now, when?