How do you enjoy retirement if you are not a hobby or volunteer person????

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Lost in retirement

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I retired almost three years ago. I fell into the trap and retired from something, not to something. I now realize my job was my identity--teamwork, a leader, recognition, etc. After one year of actual retirement, I returned to work, but I don't like the job--it's just filling time. I am not looking for the standard cookie cutter answers of learn to play an instrument, volunteer, get a hobby, etc. I am looking for suggestions on how others really spend their retirement years. Looking for some real life suggestions. Thanks.
 

Okay. This is what I've done since retiring 9 years ago:
2 years living in Uganda while my husband was a volunteer training teachers.
Remodeling/redecorating the house.
Travel to many countries including Australia, many countries in Europe, annual month long trips to the US to see my family, and now 3 month winter trips to Thailand.
Read. Read. Read.
Watch movies or binge watch good series
Kayak.
We bought electric bikes last year and go on very long day trips.
Hiking.
Workout at the gym. Workout at home.
Visit with friends.
Go to museums and concerts.
Try to learn French.
 
Lost in retirement said:
I retired almost three years ago. I fell into the trap and retired from something, not to something. I now realize my job was my identity--teamwork, a leader, recognition, etc. After one year of actual retirement, I returned to work, but I don't like the job--it's just filling time. I am not looking for the standard cookie cutter answers of learn to play an instrument, volunteer, get a hobby, etc. I am looking for suggestions on how others really spend their retirement years. Looking for some real life suggestions. Thanks.
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Welcome to the forums. You know, my experience is alot like what you've described. I went back to work "doing-what-I-do", but after 1-1/2 years I am starting to "sour" on being a "working stiff".

Retirement-again is looking appealing. :shrug: I'll be back at square-one again, though. <sigh>

Other than bucket list or cookie cutter ideas for retirement activities, I'd be interested to hear as well.
 

I should clarify that when I went back to work, it was not at the same job--far from it and with a different employer. I am now a minion, not like my real career when I headed a division.
 
Retirement is different for each of us. When I retired I had some trouble adjusting to all of the free time, then as I slowed down a routine developed that I'm content with. The only problem that I'm still wrestling with is having a little human contact other than the people that cross my path when I'm out doing routine chores and errands. I have no close family or friends to hang out with and I'm not likely to meet any new friends while I'm cleaning the bathroom or vacuuming the carpet in my little apartment. I just hate to go out and try to mingle!

My niece sent me this little motivator. I get it and I appreciate it, I'm just not there yet, LOL !!!
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Good luck with your retirement!!!
 
Lost in retirement said:
I should clarify that when I went back to work, it was not at the same job--far from it and with a different employer. I am now a minion, not like my real career when I headed a division.
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Retirement is different for everyone. How "successful" your retirement becomes depends upon what your interests and objectives are...again, different for everyone. One thing is for sure...retiring to the couch and TV set will insure that you will Not enjoy retirement...and your health Will begin to suffer.

I, too, thoroughly enjoyed my working years, but the time to move on comes for everyone. In the early weeks/months, we did some traveling, and I got caught up on all the things I had been putting off. But then, boredom began to set in. We like outdoor activities, and decided to move out of the city, to a rural environment. We bought 40 acres of forestland, and that has worked out well. Now, any day the weather permits, there is an endless array of chores to do to keep the place in order, and the benefits of all the activity has served us well from a health perspective. We still go to the city every 3 or 4 weeks for a couple of days to visit the kids and the casinos, but it is always nice to return to a quiet, clean, crime free environment.

Bottom line....Retirement is what you chose to make of it.
 
I was also my work before retirement, and HAD to retire due to some health issues. I am not happy unless I'm busy with something. At the very least, I like to keep my mind busy (when the body's unwilling). To keep busy that first year, I downsized. First I got rid of anything that didn't serve a real purpose or have a function, as well as excess and oversized furniture. Next I collected replacement furniture; small necessary pieces. Meanwhile I applied for single-bedroom apartments, and early the second year finally got into one. Then I filled it out with some simple, functional bits that I needed. This has kept me occupied for two years, and it's been a welcome challenge.

Now I'm all settled, with everything I need close at hand. Now I need a dang hobby!!
 
Hi Lost, welcome to the forum! :wave: My main goal was to stop working and retire early, so I worked full time all of my adult life and worked overtime when I could, so did my husband. I'm content in my retirement and don't miss work at all. I love that I don't have to set the alarm everyday and drive to work before daylight in winter snowstorms. I have my own schedule and do what I want when I want to do it. There are still chores I was supposed to catch up on when I retired that are calling my name, it seems that even on an uneventful day, the time goes fast and I'm busy doing something even if it's running errands.

I still have my husband to keep me company every day, we take a daily walk in the park with our dog and hang out in the yard with the cat when we're lazin' around the house. We both like camping, fishing, hiking and wildlife, so spending time outdoors is very satisfying for both of us. I imagine if there comes a time that I run out of things to do and I'm bored, I would volunteer maybe at an animal shelter or something like that. So far boredom has not been an issue.
 
What you are going through has been on my mind for quite a while. I am not retired yet so I cannot give you any help with your situation, but I know that like you I will have to keep busy. I plan on working part time for the next five years or so and that is easy for me as I am self employed and I will pick and choose what I want to do. I just don't want to be under the gun with deadlines and the many other problems of business.
I imagine it is tougher when you pull the plug on a good job with a good size company as you then have to shift into something else, and as you said a lot of yourself is wrapped up in it.

I think it's important to mentally shift gears and realize that you are not your former job and get into other things that you actually enjoy. I have to have a good size garage or barn for a "man cave" as I like to tinker with cars, bikes, tractors etc. and most of my friends do also. You will have to find or create your own retirement "occupation"

As what was said in a couple of the other replies, retirement is different for everyone. Circumstances vary greatly financially, emotionally, family wise etc. What works for me would probably drive you up the wall and visa-versa.

Good luck and best wishes with your journey.
 
Welcome! I think our generation has worked for so many years that our job is what "defines" who we are. And when that ends, we are at a loss. I have been retired 7 months and do not miss one day of getting up in the dark and driving almost an hour to work and doing the same thing in the afternoon. I am a "list maker" and have found that if I have a "purpose" for the week ahead I find the time flies. Although I might not get everything done on that list each week, it is nice to cross something off and move the others to the next week. If you have the means to be able to travel, that is a bonus. But everyone does not have that luxury. You have to be creative and find your comfort zone. I hope you find your "zone"!
 
Hey there, I am the new generation who will be retiring as they carry my body out. But I feel our older years are about giving back and finding meaning. Think what are you passionate about? What brings meaning to your life? Volunteer or a paying position, go for it with open arms.
 
I worked past retirement because I loved my job and I always did volunteer work plus all kinds of crafts and hobbies at home.

Then a health problem forced me out of work , ditto the volunteer work.

I also had crossed the Atlantic three times so my circle of friends didn't go very deep , they were mostly connected with work etc except for just one.

My husband and I were extremely close, he was my best friend and we did everything together, now he is permanently hospitalized and no longer knows me so now I rarely leave the house, totally isolated , I go days without seeing anyone, thank goodness for the hobbies.

I hope someone gives you some good answers as I would be interested too.
 
I think that the most honest answer, right up front, is that everyone's retirement is different, some drastically so. Many folks retire with little "money in the bank" and continue to struggle in retirement as they most likely did when they were employed. Some are already on the way to some disabling factor that allows for very limited activity and conditioning. Some are surrounded by loving children (now adults) and grandchildren while others are estranged or miles from family. For these folks, talk of family activities, buying new homes, becoming world travelers, competing in senior marathons, etc., has no practical value at all.

I'm not complaining as I've had the good luck to have arrived at retirement age (58 for me) and have now been comfortably retired for 25 years. We've spent our winters in Florida, Maine at a family cottage in the spring and fall and surrounded by a large immediate family. Hoorah for me!! That doesn't help folks without the resources and health, and for these people, retirement can be a long struggle.

My advice for anyone is to look into your own situation honestly. Do you have loved one's at home or nearby? Do you enjoy spending time with these folks? Have you the financial resources to take any tours or trips and do you want to? Lastly - -how's your health? If the answer to the first three is "no", but your health is good, you might consider sticking with your job. I know that in my case, if I had not had the enjoyment of a happy family to interact with, I would have continued working 'til an older age.
 

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