When you Retired, you enter a whole new chapter of your life. This is an exciting time and one that you should look at as an opportunity to spend quality time with people you love and do things you enjoy. If you are worried that retirement will involve too much sitting around knitting or reminiscing about the glory days of your youth, here is a list of 16 fun things to do in your retirement to not just fill the days, but to actively enjoy them. These are your golden years, after all!
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1. Spend Time With Your Family when you Retired
Retirement will give you more time to spend with people you love, so take this opportunity to devote some quality time to your family. Visit your grandchildren and get to know them better. Go on fun days out with them and make some amazing new memories.
2. Make New Friends
Many people worry about the difficulty of making friends as you get older, but with the right attitude, it is easy. Strike up a conversation while you’re out and see if you have anything in common with those around you. It is easier than you think and will push you out of your comfort zone.
3. See the World
It is never too late to go travelling. In fact, retirement is the perfect opportunity. You can travel solo if you have got the nerve or if you prefer, go on a group trip. Whether it is a cruise, a city break, or a backpacking adventure, there are travel opportunities to suit all retirees, so get out there!
4. Take a Class
All this free time on your hands is an amazing chance to learn something new. Go to a pottery class, brush up on your computer skills, or try cooking lessons. It is a great way to keep your mind active and an easy way to meet people with similar interests.
5. Volunteer
Why not spend some time volunteering for a cause you care about? You could work at a community kitchen providing meals to people in need, work as a dog walker to support busy families, or get involved at a local school. There are so many causes that need help, and it is a brilliant chance to give something back.
6. Start a Vegetable Garden
Growing your own vegetables is a fun activity that will challenge your body and mind, with the added benefit of a delicious reward. No matter how big your garden, you can grow anything—chilies, for example, require only a small amount of space and can even be grown indoors, so there is really no excuse. Try it and see how you get on.
7. Write a Book when you Retired
Be honest; You have always wanted to write a book. Well, this is your moment to do it.
It does not have to be the next Great American Novel. You do not even have to write fiction. Why not start by writing down some stories from your life? You will find that writing is a great way to exercise your creativity and whether or not anybody ever reads it, it is a fun thing to do.
8. Move House
Retiring provides you with the time you need to move to a new house. You could move closer to your family if you live far away, or you could consider moving into a senior living facility. Belmont Village provides independent living options so you can live on your own terms. See what they have to offer at belmontvillage.com.
9. Become an Activist when you Retired
If there are problems affecting the local community that are important to you, why not get involved and be part of the solution? Whether it is going to protests, joining an activist group, or even just reading up on important issues, you can take steps to make the world around you a better place.
10. Foster a Pet when you Retired
Not everybody has the time or energy to look after pets, but if you do, fostering is a fantastic option. You can look after young puppies in training to be guide dogs or provide a loving, temporary home to animals who have been abandoned by their owners. Animals offer great companionship and you will love having them around.
11. Go Back to School
If you never graduated from college, retirement is the time to get your degree. There are online schools available to make learning easier or you could enroll in a brick-and-mortar institution and meet interesting new people. There are so many courses you could take, so have a think about what you might enjoy.
12. Learn a Language
If you do not have the inclination to take on a full degree, you could always learn a language instead. This could mean taking a class, but it does not have to be such a commitment if you do not want it to be. There are hundreds of language-learning websites and apps that make languages easier and more accessible than they have ever been, so take a look and see what you could learn.
13. Keep Fit when you Retired
It is so important to keep fit as you get older. Exercising regularly will strengthen your bones and muscles to prevent injury in the event of a fall and can strengthen your cardiovascular system. All that is great, but exercise is also an easy way to have fun. There are so many exciting exercise classes available now, so whether you want to try a martial art or aerial yoga, you can get fit and enjoy doing it.
14. Become a Mentor
If you feel you have good advice to offer to young people, you could try becoming a mentor. You can join a scheme that would allow you to share your wisdom and experience with young people who may be struggling or who need career advice. Put your expertise to good use and lend someone a helping hand.
15. Try a New Hobby
If none of the suggestions above strike a chord Retired, there are so many other hobbies you could try. Have a go at fencing, hiking, golfing, wine tasting, reading, acting, dancing, fishing, upcycling, crafting, composing, or anything else you can think of. The world really is your oyster, so try your hand at a few activities and see what you enjoy.
16. Relax!
The great thing about Retired is that you can finally relax, whatever that means for you. Take some time to put your feet up with a hot cup of tea. You deserve it.
