Make the Most out of Your Retirement
Some people know exactly how they want to spend their retirement years and others haven’t given much thought to their post-career lives. If you’re the latter, we have put together a few suggestions for how to occupy yourself during your hard-earned leisure years.
Volunteer
Do you have a favorite cause that’s near to your heart? Reach out to a local organization that serves that cause and find out how you can help out. Often, there are a variety of needs – anything from fundraising to carpentry, depending on the charity – so you can choose a volunteer position that suits your skills and interests.
If you still have a passion for your career, share your business experience and knowledge with students. Contact your city’s Junior Achievement office or your neighborhood high school to explore mentorship opportunities.
You can also search for organizations by interest, like family services or environment, and location on the AmeriCorps and Senior Corps website.
Take up a New Hobby
Have you always had an interest in an activity that you haven’t had the time to pursue? Or maybe you want to discover a side of yourself. Picking up a new hobby could be the solution for you.
- Sign up for golf or tennis lessons at your local recreation center or sports club. You can likely purchase inexpensive, used equipment at a yard sale or sporting goods resale store. Dance, yoga, and even self-defense classes are other possibilities.
- Teach yourself how to paint or register for an art or craft class at your local college, museum, or art supply store.
- Take music lessons and perform for family and friends, become a member of a band, or just play for your own enjoyment.
- Start or join a gardening club, a quilting bee, a book club, or another group to share your new interest.
Of course, these are just a few ideas to get you started. Keep an open mind and know you don’t have to commit to any one hobby. Have fun trying out new things. You never know what you will end up loving to do.
Go Back to School
If you love to learn, consider enrolling in a course or two – or even earning another degree, if you have the inclination and the means. Many community colleges offer continuing education programs with courses in everything from foreign languages to art to computer skills. You might find a new passion and meet new friends while exercising also your brain.
Travel
Once you’re retired, you don’t have to ask for time off or limit yourself to a one-week vacation, so the world is your oyster!
- Explore the United States by driving cross-country. Consider buying or renting an RV for comfort and convenience.
- Create a bucket list goal, like visiting all 50 states, every national park, or even every continent.
- Go on a cruise – or many. You can choose from sailings that last only a few nights and world or transatlantic voyages.
- Look into travel groups for people in your age range and interests. Organizations like AAA and AARP, as well as your college alumni association and perhaps your neighborhood association, might have such groups already in place.
Be sure to take into account your finances, your health, and other personal factors before making a large commitment regarding your retirement plans, but also remember to have fun dreaming and planning for your future.
