Truly Happy Retirees Adopt These 7 Habits....

I don't do " Find Joy in Giving Back". I don't wish to volunteer and be tied down to a schedule. And the only people, that I find joy in giving back to are my family members and my pets. We don't really know our neighbors in our condo even though we have lived there for over 25 years. Everyone keeps themselves to themselves in our building. One thing I would add is to live your passion. My passion is painting.
 
As my health limits my mobility, I do less or nothing from the bottom of that list in the article.

I've never felt joy in giving back, forward or otherwise. I wasn't raised that way.

I avoid anything that internet articles tell me I should do. Because, in the end, those articles want to convince me to expend more of my money than I would if I never read the article.

I'm not trying to live longer on purpose. If it happens that I live to be 90, I'm sure it won't be easy.
 
I had to giggle when it said don't scroll mindlessly on the internet then gave links to 5 more things about this and 3 more links about that and I clicked on them as I mindlessly scrolled down :ROFLMAO: But it was a good article and I am "truly happy" except one thing...procrastinating from time to time.
 
LoveTulips said:
I don't do " Find Joy in Giving Back". I don't wish to volunteer and be tied down to a schedule. And the only people, that I find joy in giving back to are my family members and my pets. We don't really know our neighbors in our condo even though we have lived there for over 25 years. Everyone keeps themselves to themselves in our building. One thing I would add is to live your passion. My passion is painting.
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:) I agree with everything you say, but we don't have to volunteer in some questionable charity in order to give back. If someone has done you a kindness, show your appreciation tangibly --with something more than a thank you. If you should see a person --any person --suffering, offer to help.
And, if you can't live your passion out in the world, then live it vicariously. For example, if your passion is travel, study the countries you'd like to visit.
 
I’m surprised a few people said that they don’t find joy in giving to others. I have volunteered for organizations both big and small and helped people on an individual basis.

Helping on an individual basis is the most rewarding for me. Years ago either my husband or I babysat daily for a few hours the neighbor girl until the head start bus picked her up for daycare. Her mom was on welfare and attending college so she could get a decent job. She got a 4 year degree in 3 years and then she was self supporting. It felt good to be a part of that success.

In the 12 years since retiring I’ve helped friends remain in their homes, taken them to appointments, advocated on their behalf, helped clean out 30 years of possessions, etc. Most of them required help for a few years. I was the guardian for a friend with Alzheimer’s whose husband died. Now at almost 70 I am no longer committing to long term assistance but still would help with small items.
 
Teacher Terry said:
I’m surprised a few people said that they don’t find joy in giving to others. I have volunteered for organizations both big and small and helped people on an individual basis.

Helping on an individual basis is the most rewarding for me. Years ago either my husband or I babysat daily for a few hours the neighbor girl until the head start bus picked her up for daycare. Her mom was on welfare and attending college so she could get a decent job. She got a 4 year degree in 3 years and then she was self supporting. It felt good to be a part of that success.

In the 12 years since retiring I’ve helped friends remain in their homes, taken them to appointments, advocated on their behalf, helped clean out 30 years of possessions, etc. Most of them required help for a few years. I was the guardian for a friend with Alzheimer’s whose husband died. Now at almost 70 I am no longer committing to long term assistance but still would help with small items.
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I think it is wonderful what you do! I just don't feel like getting involved with anything like that.
 
I do all except "embracing aging". I go to the gym more than I did when I was working, but now that aches and pains have crept in I'm still trying to act like they aren't just a part of aging and doing everything I can to get rid of them (stretching, exercising). In the back of my mind, I know they are a part of growing older and it may be something I will have to live with.

It does feel good to "give back", especially if I do it anonymously. I used the leaf blower on my driveway every day during fall to get rid of the acorns. I noticed my next door neighbor's driveway was covered with them. She is very elderly and isn't able to do it herself, so I took the blower to her driveway and blew all the acorns off. I'm sure she wondered who did it and hopefully it made her happy.
 
Teacher Terry said:
I’m surprised a few people said that they don’t find joy in giving to others. I have volunteered for organizations both big and small and helped people on an individual basis.

Helping on an individual basis is the most rewarding for me. Years ago either my husband or I babysat daily for a few hours the neighbor girl until the head start bus picked her up for daycare. Her mom was on welfare and attending college so she could get a decent job. She got a 4 year degree in 3 years and then she was self supporting. It felt good to be a part of that success.

In the 12 years since retiring I’ve helped friends remain in their homes, taken them to appointments, advocated on their behalf, helped clean out 30 years of possessions, etc. Most of them required help for a few years. I was the guardian for a friend with Alzheimer’s whose husband died. Now at almost 70 I am no longer committing to long term assistance but still would help with small items.
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That is really admirable, and I'm sure you feel absolutely great each time you help others. I looked for volunteer opportunities when I retired in 2020, but there were none available due to Covid. I even asked my vet if they would consider having me volunteer to look after the animals, but they only use employees. I really want to volunteer packaging meals in the Dallas Food Bank, but it is 25 miles from home. So, nothing currently.

My company was in Seattle, and they were big supporters of the Ronald McDonal House. Each time I visited I asked if someone could get a volunteer opportunity there. I participated a couple of times, helping to distribute meals to severely ill children and their parents and it was, without a doubt, the most rewarding thing I've ever done. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children and the parents, and their gratitude, was life-changing.
 
Teacher Terry said:
I’m surprised a few people said that they don’t find joy in giving to others. I have volunteered for organizations both big and small and helped people on an individual basis.

Helping on an individual basis is the most rewarding for me. Years ago either my husband or I babysat daily for a few hours the neighbor girl until the head start bus picked her up for daycare. Her mom was on welfare and attending college so she could get a decent job. She got a 4 year degree in 3 years and then she was self supporting. It felt good to be a part of that success.

In the 12 years since retiring I’ve helped friends remain in their homes, taken them to appointments, advocated on their behalf, helped clean out 30 years of possessions, etc. Most of them required help for a few years. I was the guardian for a friend with Alzheimer’s whose husband died. Now at almost 70 I am no longer committing to long term assistance but still would help with small items.
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"I’m surprised a few people said that they don’t find joy in giving to others." I am too Terry! But to each his/her own. And I have tremendous admiration for the things you are doing! Giving doesn't have to be physically volunteering. I thought about doing volunteer work but decided I'd rather not. There are many ways to help people. My husband and I always found that acknowledging, complimenting and even engaging people at work who probably don't get appreciated puts smiles on their faces (eg: the toll booth lady or store greeter and other service employees). We've been told that we made their day. I've helped people who have trouble with computers maneuver through situations they found complicated and it wound up saving them time and aggravation.

I also commandeered my son to take my blind friend to Walmart because she had no one else to take her. I could have shopped and brought it to her but she wanted to get out. I did wind up doing the shopping while keeping her out of the way of the mad crowd. During Covid, I got my DIL to put her, her brother (who's also blind) and his blind friend (both neighbors) on the list to get free restaurant dinners from an organization that delivered meals to seniors, at first 5 days, then 3 then 2 days a week (as their list got longer). Their delivery people were instructed not to take tips!

I'm also a very charitable person and offered to loan a friend a significant amount (interest free) to keep her from losing her house when she told me about her nightmarish situation. She had a young son and I couldn't see not helping when I knew I had the ability to do it. It took her 5 years, but she paid me back. I helped another person close to me so that she wouldn't get evicted. I also donate regularly to my favorite charities. One of them is local and provides dinners every Sunday evening for the hungry (not the same organization as the one I mentioned above). I do feel good when I help people, even if it's only putting smiles on their faces.
 
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Basically, there are Greedy types and non-Greedy types.
Unselfish people and selfish people.
Narcissists and honestly carrying.
A 7-question test confirms who you are.
 
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