Aside from all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, winter can be a quiet, reflective and even gloomy time of year. The harvest is over, the leaves have fallen and the natural world is in a sleepy, grey holding pattern until the thaw of spring. But the quiet lull of winter doesn’t have to get you down. The chill outside (and the madness at the mall) makes it a great time for hunkering down, taking stock of what you’ve accomplished over the past year, and dreaming of the year that’s yet to come.

When I was young, my parents were by no means rich, but they never let the holiday season (or any other time of year) escape without introducing us to all the wonders that existed in our little corner of rural Michigan. They planned outings and trips, sightseeing and family get-togethers. We didn’t venture far from home; to the local cut-your-own tree farm, to the symphony or a live holiday show, to a craft fair or the nearby Charles Dickens festival. But my brother and I spent cold Friday nights lying awake in anticipation, knowing that no weekend would be the same.

I could not have realized then how much thought my parents put into their planning, how unique our traditions were or how much we actually learned from them. By the time I graduated and moved away to college, there were a few things I knew full-well:

• That a weekend is not to be wasted,
• That, no matter where you are, you are never more than 30 minutes from adventure,
• That the little dive in the ramshackle town always makes for a better memory than the 5-star restaurant, and
• That you are never too young for a bucket list

I remember fondly the excitement that my brother and I shared at the start of each season. Would we go camping this summer? To the lake? To that little town up north where you can watch the sunset from the lighthouse steps? And when autumn rolled around, we were pining for the apple orchard, hayrides and bonfires in the yard. With each change in the weather, I’d make a list of all the things I just couldn’t miss that season. Ahh, the humble beginnings of the all-powerful bucket list.

The winding roads I traveled with my parents no doubt shaped me into the adventurous, determined trip-planner that I am today. As I entered my senior year of high school, I was already instilled with a sense that my time on Earth is very short and very valuable. So, when I wanted to organize my thoughts about life, I dug deep and I made a more substantial bucket list of my goals and dreams. Full disclosure here: I am not one who lives each day with the fear that I may soon ‘kick the bucket.’ Instead, I tend to focus on the joy of my accomplishments, on filling my bucket with all the great opportunities that life has to offer.

Right here, right now, I’d ask you to really examine the experiences you’d put in your bucket if time and money were not an issue. Where would you go? Who would be with you? What would you wear? Whether your answers are big and extravagant or small and simple, becoming more in tune with your specific hopes and dreams gives you a sense of purpose. Free yourself up to dream and you’ll soon find your bucket overflowing with exciting and adventurous ideas.

Perhaps you’re thinking that making lists as a child or a young adult is easy; kids have all the time in the world. But, I believe that you are never too young or too old to experience something new. In fact, age and wisdom can even shape things you have done in the past into entirely new experiences. And, studies show that staying actively engaged in reaching for your dreams helps you to live a longer, more fulfilling life.

And, if you claim that you’re too spontaneous to be limited by a list, consider this: I have accomplished all of my initial goals from my college bucket list, and now my list is longer than it’s ever been. Once you start achieving your dreams, you’ll likely want to do, be and see that much more! Luckily, there is infinite space in your bucket for additions and revisions.

I’ve also found that bucket lists can be contagious. For my pre-teen nieces and nephews, a simple birthday or holiday gift wrapped in shiny, colorful paper just won’t do. Instead, my husband and I go to great lengths twice a year to surprise all three of them with an active overnight trip (to a water park, a local beach, a rock climbing gym…). Though they always worry and wish aloud for the dates and details, we know they secretly love the suspense.

The getaways are fun in and of themselves (and the kids always go home with a coveted bounty of tiny, hotel soaps), but our greater satisfaction comes from knowing that we’re helping to fill their buckets with ideas and inspiration. At 10 and 12, they’ve already started making bucket lists of their own. On our next adventure together, they’d like to learn to ski and snowboard! Inspiration is the gift that my parents bestowed upon me so long ago, during weekend jaunts across Michigan backroads, and I’m more than happy to pass it on.

So, what can you do this winter, when you see the holidays and the seasons slipping quietly by in a dreary grey haze? My advice is to get out a pen and a notebook (and maybe even a real bucket!). Sit down with your family, your friends, your spouse. Imagine aloud what you would do if your wallet was heavy and your time was growing thin. Then, start making your bucket list. No matter your age or your stage in life, you can make the resolution today to see more, do more, be more tomorrow. This winter, step back from your busy life and dream. Invest in giving yourself and your family a bucket full of inspiration.