What to do when you retire

What to do when you retire

Each person experiences different situations that determine how and when they will retire. Some people plan to retire early, while others feel that they will never be able to retire because of financial problems or health problems. If you are one of the lucky few who are financially independent, healthy, and responsible, then you need to accept retirement as a new phase of life with unlimited opportunities. Develop an attitude of real luck!

We spend most of our lives doing things we should do – going to school, learning a trade or skill, making a living, raising children, and caring for the elderly or disabled. We should be screaming from the rooftop there and when we retire with less money in the bank, we are healthy and free to choose for the rest of our lives. Many lists can be found on the Internet about what you can do when you retire. I have listed a few of the most popular options below that you can consider when you retire.

 

Retirement Travel

Now is the time to finally dedicate your time to travelling; be that taking a day trip, boating, going on international tours, finally booking that cruise that you have always wanted. Being retired has a whole new meaning when you can do the things that you have always wanted to do but never had the time to.

Find classes

With more time at hand, you can start thinking about all the classes that you want to take and explore new skills or abilities that you might have. You could become fluent in a foreign language, master computer skills, specialising in Yoga, or simply take on a drawing class. There are lots of online classes that can be taken too, find out what is available and what you want to try out; many classes give a free taster too.

Your new hobby could be just around the corner;  there are so many options: drawing, painting, pottery, carpentry, playing the piano or another musical instrument, knitting, singing, crocheting, needle pointing, finishing, letter writing, photography, gardening, cooking, woodworking, genealogy, art.

Clean / Declutter

Instead of a simple spring clean, do a ‘retirement’ clean; where you simplify your life, your belongings and start making plans for how you want your house to look. You could even dedicate yourself to those DIY jobs that you have postponed for so long.

Volunteer for as long as possible

There are various groups of organizations that need volunteers to help with their goals and programs. You can choose a cause that is important to you or go to one of the many online sites that will match your skills with organizations that need volunteers. Or you could join local meeting groups focused on specific interests or individuals.

 

Write! Even if you are the only one reading your work

Finally, there is the time to write the book you have been looking for, or to set up and manage a blog, to write articles to be published in magazines or elsewhere, your poems or reminders.

Remember Your Family Has Retired

Spend more time with the family or grandchildren. For older grandchildren, you could go to school and play sports, take them to special events, zoos, museums, and sports events. You can donate to the care of young grandchildren. Help with their education by reading to them, writing them down for future questions, and assisting with special projects with a teacher where needed.

 

Find Sports

Take part in any sport you enjoy, such as fishing, mountaineering, jogging, swimming, boating, kayaking, surfing, or scuba diving. If you are looking for something soft, try these online yoga classes. You could even join a sports league to regularly play sports such as bowling, tennis, pickleball, softball or soccer.

 

Mentor or Teach

Help schools by teaching children to read or do the math. Teach English-speaking people. Help an adult learn to read or if you have special skills developed during your career, teach young people starting in the same field. Your life and work experience is a skill that not many people have and you could pass on a lot of knowledge to people eager to learn from you. Just because you are not a qualified teacher does not mean that you can not teach values and expertise.

 

Stay Active

Just because you don’t work anymore does not mean that you should give up being active and fit; especially in older age, there are many conditions that are triggered by a sedentary life. Help prevent them by exercising, going to the gym, enjoy a daily stroll around the neighborhood and remember to eat healthily.

 

Retirement can be scary for a lot of people because of a lack of purpose. With so much time it can actually be tricky to fill all of it. With this comprehensive list of ideas on how to spend your retirement, you’ll always have something to do. Take some time to think about what you like to do and put together a simple plan of things you want to try.