Just retired and bored

Just relax..... You are now retired and you have a limited number of years left to you. Enjoy them and don't make everything so urgent and frazzled.
 

Dancing_Queen said:
I'm a dancer and you can be sure I'm out on the floor as much as possible. Exercise keeps the mind in shape along with the body.
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Thanks Guys. I'm having panic attacks just sitting around the house. It will take me some time to be able to just relax. Thanks to you, I've started on the treadmill--- 1.75 miles today. It's not a marathon but more than I've done in years. I'm also volunteering with the Chamber of Commerce, starting on Monday. I've just repaired a cabinet that broke weeks ago. Unfortunately, it was easy and didn't fill much time. Still, I think that I'll get the hang of it. There's really no other choice. I don't know why I didn't know this before I retired, but it never occurred to me.
 

RubyK said:
Hello Daytona Al~
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Hello Ruby K. I've only been to Minnesota about five times, but have some close ties there. My godfather (sort of) lived in Marshall. All of his kids and grandkids are now in the twin cities. They are not close but I hear from them a one or two times per year. I also went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester years ago, so I have a great opinion of the state. We live on the coast in Florida. I was in Tampa for 13 years at a very high stress job and was looking forward to retirement and relaxation. Now I'm missing the stress and constant emails. Maybe this website will help a bit. Also I'm starting to volunteer next week Do you have any other ideas for keeping busy and useful. Please let me know.
 
MickaC said:
View attachment 183276 @Daytona Al HAPPY you're here. Yes, retirement is a hard job, but you'll get the hang of it. ENJOY your time here.
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Thank You Micka C. I really needed the encouragement. I looked forward to just reading and relaxing for years, now it's driving me nuts. I'm not a golfer and don't really want to start. It turns out that that is almost a requirement for retirees in Florida. I've signed up for the first day of a possible volunteer job next week. It sounds a little boring-- sitting at the desk in a tourist booth-- but it is a start. How did you finally learn to relax. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Dancing_Queen said:
Sounds like a plan! Because you mentioned Columbia, I suppose she's into Latin dancing. At some point the Latin dances here that I absolutely love will open up. I don't sit down once from 7:15-11:00. :) What's great about them is that people don't need partners. Women dance solo; men float in and out of the groups. It's great fun!
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Where is this located. I don't dance, but could certainly try. It would be great to be in demand again. Yes, Mercedes is into Latin Dancing and does it well.
 
Packerjohn said:
Watch that medicine! Some doctors just love to get you hooked. Be blunt and just ask that doctor if the medicine to relax you is addictive. There are good alternatives to taking drugs to relax. Here are some: herbal tea, nice walk in the fresh air, relaxing music (not rap or heavy metal), good massage by wife or girl friend, relaxing soak in the bathtub or time spent doing some exercise. Some people love to play cards and some "good ole' boys" love to gather each day at some coffee shop to "shoot the breeze." Be careful with drugs. They are the last alternative and should never be the 1st.
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Thanks so much for the advice Packerjohn. The first thought is always "Give me something to relax". I started Sonesta for sleep and quickly got hooked. It made me happy. Going off was hard, but it looks like I've succeeded. Now I still face the problem of how to relax. My wife has an interest in herbs and has bought lots of herbs for tea. That seems to help somewhat. I've finally started exercise, but it just doesn't fill the days I sit down to read, but panic because that's all I have to do. Does that any sense? I really need a tough job. I start working as a volunteer at the Chamber of Commerce next Monday. That may help. But it doesn't appear very challenging.

The odd thing is that before retirement the Job was the problem. I looked forward to having lots of time on my hands. It's a bit ironic that the problem now seems like the solution.
 
moviequeen1 said:
Hi Daytona Al,welcome glad you found us,congrats on your marriage
You'll meet great group of members from around the world here at SF which makes it a fun place to hang out
I retired in 2011 after 27 yrs working 3 days/wk as a pharm tech at a local hospital
It does get easier in retirement if you just set your own pace,do things that make you happy. I also have kept a 'retirement journal' though I don't write in it every day
Before Covid hit,I was volunteering 2 mornings/wk at 2 different orgs,one in business office at my church,haven't returned yet.The church reopened in June only for church services
I hope this helps you some what
Sue in Buffalo,NY
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Thank you, Sue. I'll try the journal idea. At least it will allow me to put my thoughts into solid form. What do you do all day, since you aren't volunteering? I start my first volunteer job on Monday. It will be just me in an office so I'm not sure that it will work. But it is something.
 
hollydolly said:
yes you will find something to do..don't worry, don't be nervous think of it as a whole new beginning to do what you want to do...

The summer has been hot here in London ..although August was unusually wet but now September has been hot again. Most of the country has been double vaccinated, and getting ready for their booster later in the year... Boris got C-19 himself, so he got the vaccination after he survived it, lucky for him to get a second chance especially now he's started a new young family..and a brand new marriage...again!!
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I didn't know that Boris got married. I used to read the Mail everyday -- because it's free-- but haven't read much recently. How odd that having time for reading makes you not want to read...
 
Packerjohn said:
I have been retired over 21 years now and have never had a boring day in my entire retirement. I have traveled to many places, spending 2 winters in Mexico, 2 winters in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and a winter in the Iberian Peninsula. Also, I am a life long learner. I love reading, playing and singing with my guitar, I exercise and walk 5 days/week and still love to take photos.

Just returned from a month long trip through Western Canada right up to the Klondike in The Yukon. At home right now I am very like crazy recording my favourite songs off my LP records unto USB memory sticks. I don't know you, Daytona Al but maybe you were a "workaholic" when you worked. Many men have this problem and find it difficult to retire. They say that some men only live 2 years after they retire but women live much longer as they almost always have a social life.

For you, Daytona, I would suggest to get into a senior exercise or dance program. Get into a routine of walking daily. Don't sit around that darn condo! Don't watch 12 hours of sports on TV unless you have written your last will and testament and want to exit life ASAP. If no hobbies, then try to join something and learn new things! Hey, maybe try wine making? I did it for years. Lots of fun! I cut the cable over 20 years ago. I just buy old westerns from Amazon and only watch them in the evening.

Maybe learn to cook healthy meals. Don't go to burger joints daily or you wouldn't around much longer. Smile, laugh! If nothing else join those "good ole' boys" for coffee each morning and "solve the world's problems." Good luck Daytona Al! You can do it.
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Fortunately, my wife cooks health and understands herbs. She is a real blessing. The doctor gave me Trintellix (or something like that) which took away my appetite. I'm stopping it today. I need to eat healthy-- but I need to eat.
 
Hallo Daytona, welcome! You have retired from work but not from life, explore a little, try new things, do not be afraid to drop something if you do not like it to try something else. My husband and I retired from "formal"work in our forties, we never gave a backward look. We sail a lot, I write a lot and will continue to do so for as long as our health holds out. You have a Columbian wife, what about learning to dance the salsa and cook some of their tasty dishes!
 
I retired last week ..........how I wish I was bored ,!....
Well I’m bored with staying at home.......!
 
Shero said:
Hallo Daytona, welcome! You have retired from work but not from life, explore a little, try new things, do not be afraid to drop something if you do not like it to try something else. My husband and I retired from "formal"work in our forties, we never gave a backward look. We sail a lot, I write a lot and will continue to do so for as long as our health holds out. You have a Columbian wife, what about learning to dance the salsa and cook some of their tasty dishes!
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Hi Shero, Did you have an initial time or panic? Or did it simply flow easily. I expected my retirement to be so easy. I would assess life and find what I wanted to do. Now I'm just paralyzed with panic at not knowing what happens tomorrow. Did you have this for a while? When did it go away?
 
Hi Al,
When they shut my plant down I was one of the Maint. guys that worked 7 days a week 10 to 12 hrs a day. I went zonkers with nothing to do.
My son suggested we start a small lawn care service for elderly people that can't mow their lawns. I had the equipment so I didn't have to buy anything new. First-year we got 30 customers. Sure kept all 3 of us busy 7 days a week again.

I was happy as I was busy doing things again. So maybe look around & see if there are jobs of driving people to Dr. Apointements, or helping in a retirement home.

Welcome Rosie.jpg
 
Daytona Al said:
Hi Shero, Did you have an initial time or panic? Or did it simply flow easily. I expected my retirement to be so easy. I would assess life and find what I wanted to do. Now I'm just paralyzed with panic at not knowing what happens tomorrow. Did you have this for a while? When did it go away?
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Hi again! We did have anxious times, but because we both were on the same page, it was easy to support each other. We also had plans A, B and C :ROFLMAO: , but even so, the best of plans get messed up. The first year was a little bit scary at times, but after that most of our plans took off and now we are so happy for the decision we made, those years ago. Your panic is normal, you will go through many emotions, do not fight it, it will not last forever and in a year from now you will have a big smile on your face and enjoying your retirement!
 
Daytona Al said:
Thanks Guys. I'm having panic attacks just sitting around the house. It will take me some time to be able to just relax. Thanks to you, I've started on the treadmill--- 1.75 miles today. It's not a marathon but more than I've done in years. I'm also volunteering with the Chamber of Commerce, starting on Monday. I've just repaired a cabinet that broke weeks ago. Unfortunately, it was easy and didn't fill much time. Still, I think that I'll get the hang of it. There's really no other choice. I don't know why I didn't know this before I retired, but it never occurred to me.
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It sounds as though you're well on your way to a good retirement, Daytona. Wonderful!
 
Daytona Al said:
Where is this located. I don't dance, but could certainly try. It would be great to be in demand again. Yes, Mercedes is into Latin Dancing and does it well.
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The Orlando area. I have no idea when they're going to open up again. :( That's where I am and where all of the places I dance are located. That one's held in a senior center (all ages attend), and none of the senior centers is open for dances. All of them with a dance floor generally have dances of one type or another.

I may have been not quite correct. Casselberry had opened for square dancing before the Delta variant hit; I don't know if they shut that down again. The ballroom dances that are held there haven't opened up yet and they don't know when they will.

If you can stand up, as a male you'll be in demand at most places -- as long as your wife doesn't mind sharing. :) There are, however, some places where people are expected to dance well. Check around Daytona. They probably have plenty of dances; whether they're open or not is another story. The fraternal and veteran lodges will be open for dancing if they normally have dances. I can just about guarantee that they'll pretty much be mask-free; mine never comes off.
 
Daytona Al said:
Thanks so much for the advice Packerjohn. The first thought is always "Give me something to relax". I started Sonesta for sleep and quickly got hooked. It made me happy. Going off was hard, but it looks like I've succeeded. Now I still face the problem of how to relax. My wife has an interest in herbs and has bought lots of herbs for tea. That seems to help somewhat. I've finally started exercise, but it just doesn't fill the days I sit down to read, but panic because that's all I have to do. Does that any sense? I really need a tough job. I start working as a volunteer at the Chamber of Commerce next Monday. That may help. But it doesn't appear very challenging.

The odd thing is that before retirement the Job was the problem. I looked forward to having lots of time on my hands. It's a bit ironic that the problem now seems like the solution.
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Have you tried meditation? You can do it almost any place at any time.
 
Daytona Al said:
I was a Type A, workaholic, who clawed my way up a difficult organization until I hit 70. My goal was always to get a good retirement... which I did. It never occurred to me what I would do afterwards. I hit the treadmill for the first time last night, which helped a bit. But it's a hard road. My doctor prescribed something to "help me relax", but that scares me.
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You could try embracing the boredom for a bit. I remember a parenting book I read once that said that it was important to let kids have unscheduled time because when they got bored they would develop valuable self-resources to discover/invent projects to do and get the reward of accomplishing their own goals (or something like that, been many years since I read the book).
I haven't retired yet so I have no insight from my own experience but I can tell you what my mom did. For the first few years of retirement my parents traveled, mostly in USA but a few times to Europe. They made themselves a goal of visiting my brother's company's remote salespeople while they traveled around.
Then after they settled down my mom developed some engrossing hobbies: she researched family genealogy and made charts and some cool binders of old-timey pictures of our ancestors with little biographies of their lives, she became the volunteer genealogy web site manager for a county in Nebraska (which she later found burdensome and took a few years before she got someone else to take it over), and she got a microfiche machine and all the old newspapers microfiche from the little town she grew up in and then she researched and wrote up the '50 years ago this week' column for the town's newspaper for many years until her death. It was very gratifying to me after my mom died to read all the appreciative comments of people who had enjoyed her column.

Last year I watched some lectures about retirement and apparently the happiest retirees move to places where there are other seniors to do things with. And also that having several engrossing hobbies was common for happy retirees.

About your doctor's med, that does sound like something to be cautious about. In my experience doctors will prescribe anti-depressants for EVERYTHING, I imagine they must not get in trouble for prescribing them and maybe it makes them feel like they are doing something. But for me, when for example my thyroid level was getting lower and lower, even tho my doctors knew I had Hashimoto's, they kept convincing me I needed to try various anti-depressants, and OMG it was awful to have presumably excess amounts of brain chemicals caused by taking anti-depressants when I didn't have depression.
But, if they are prescribing anti-anxiety med then that stuff can be useful, briefly anyway. Walking, sunlight, and some meditation techniques are supposedly proven to be very effective for improving lots of things.
 
Hello,
Just pretend one is not retired, and all the things you wanted to achieve. Before age gets to us. The goal is to stay well.

I refuse anything not needed from doctors, they usually want us to be nice go away, or use up our insurance.

Having goals and hobbies helps. Try for a fun job might be an option. Just live your best life
 
Hello, again, @Daytona Al ~ Been thinking about your situation and wonder if you've ever tried gardening, birdwatching, or owning a dog you have to walk every day. I miss having a big dog because they are not allowed in my condo.

Birdwatching is great, too. Set up a feeder in your yard. Florida has some beautiful birds that you could put on your bird list. Join your local Audubon Society. Lots of seniors belong to that group.

Try planting flowers or veggies. You might enjoy that.
 
Welcome Daytona Al.
I retired about fifteen years ago. I worked hard all of my life. For me having the time to do absolutely nothing if I choose is sublime. These days/nights I pretty much do what I want to do when I want to do it. Within reason of course. Well most of the time. I try to do at least one thing productive each day. Sometime that is a major undertaking and other times it is as simple as waking up breathing. Things can be as complicated or as simple as I make them. I enjoy having that choice tremendously.

There are so may things to do with the free time available to me now. Here are a few. Astronomy, fishing, hunting (mostly with a camera), gardening, hiking, birding, photography and playing guitar. Studying about things that stimulate my mind such as history, geography, religions, archeology even quantum physics. I could go on and on. Leather craft, wood carving, sculpture, metallurgy, toy making. Another one is thought. "Thinking is the best way to travel" (Mike Pinder). I think I quoted that correctly. For me the main thing is to do something even if it is just taking a nap. Having a nap and dreaming can be wonderful. Now that I can do it when I feel like it. With work I was always doing what was expected of me by someone else. Retirement is a new world and I plan on enjoying it while I can. Good luck to you in all your endeavors.
 

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