Nothing is wrong. Life is good. So why do you still feel a little…blah?

Sometimes we don’t need a whole new life—we just need something in our life to look forward to.

Kelly had spent months anticipating a September RV adventure through the western United States. Then fires, smoke, gas prices and RV repairs pushed the trip off the calendar. Nothing was terribly wrong, but the excitement she had been carrying disappeared with it.

Then one unexpected invitation to a four-day retreat changed her mood almost immediately.

In this episode, Kelly explores why anticipation may be part of the experience itself, why the things we say matter can remain stuck in “someday,” and the difference between escaping your life and choosing an experience that makes you excited to return home and keep that feeling alive.

Also in this episode:

• Retreat News: “Sweat-jetting”—the 2026 travel trend built around running, cycling, yoga retreats and other physical experiences.
• Retreat Review: Run Weekends’ European Sleeper Train Multi-Hop—four countries, four half marathons, sleeper trains, local food and European spas.
• The #PictureTheJoy Photo Contest celebrating one year of Bucket List Retreats: The Podcast.

This episode is released on September 11, 2026, the 25th anniversary of 9/11. We pause at the beginning to remember the lives lost, the families who carry that loss, and the courage and humanity witnessed that day and in the days that followed.

PICTURE THE JOY PHOTO CONTEST

Share a photo and short story from a trip, retreat or everyday moment that brought you joy. Use #PictureTheJoy, tag two friends, and follow and tag @bucketlistretreatstm and @heartstocabi.

The contest runs through September 30. Chris Beagle of cAbi is sponsoring a $100 cAbi gift certificate for the winner, selected October 1. Find the official contest post on Instagram for complete details.

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Vogue: “Sweat-jetting” Is the Hottest New Travel Trend
https://www.vogue.com/article/sweatjetting-travel-trend

Paywall Skipper
https://paywallskipper.com

Run Weekends: European Sleeper Train Multi-Hop
https://www.runweekends.com/europemultihop

Follow Bucket List Retreats on Instagram
https://instagram.com/bucketlistretreatstm

Follow Chris Beagle of cAbi
https://instagram.com/heartstocabi

EXPLORE BUCKET LIST RETREATS

Website
https://bucketlistretreats.com

Podcast
https://bucketlistretreats.com/podcast

Find Your Happy Again Women’s Retreat—Dominican Republic, January 2027
https://bucketlistretreats.com/dominican-republic

Facebook
https://facebook.com/bucketlistretreats

A bucket list isn’t just about the places you go. It’s about the experiences that make you feel fully alive.

If not now, when?