Retirement has finally arrived, and you start out looking forward to having all that free time on your hands. For some people, this feeling of joy lasts for a long time as they do many of the things they have wanted to do but never had the time. For others, after a few weeks, they start to realize they are not enjoying retirement. They feel lost, unable to fill the hours they had so recently spent working. For some people, raising a family or climbing the career ladder their sole purpose. When these things are no longer there, they don’t know what to do. Let’s take a few minutes today to consider some things you can do to help make enjoying retirement easier. After all, you’ve worked hard to get to this time in life. It’s time to make the most of it.
Travel
There are many options for travel. Maybe you have always wanted to see only one or two places. Now is the time. Some people would love to go on a road trip from coast to coast. You may choose to sell your car and buy a camper or rent out your home and hit the road. You can go with maps in hand and a solid plan or just wing it. This is your time. There are groups set up that plan trips regularly for seniors. Many of these are one-day excursions. You could check into what is available in your area and sign up for a tour or two. This is a great way to travel and make friends.
Learn, Grow, and Create
Do you have a hobby you always wanted to pursue but never had the time to do? Now is the time to pick it up and get started. Enjoy a new sport, create a masterpiece of art or write a book. Have you ever wanted to learn a new skill or get a new degree, or even your first degree? Local community colleges often allow adults to take one or two classes. Some will even let you sit in on a course for free. You won’t earn any credit for the time, but you could learn some fascinating new things. The opportunities for learning, growing, and creating are limited only by your imagination. Now is the perfect time to start.
Meet People and Foster Friendship
Join a gym or start visiting the local community center. Spend time volunteering to read to children, play with shelter animals, or teach a class. Everyone you meet is a potential new friend. When the weather is nice, you can take a walk around the neighborhood. Speak with your neighbors. Take it slow and enjoy the feeling of not being under a time constraint. Find a club of like-minded individuals and join. If you have a particular interest and there isn’t a group, start one. Again, only your imagination can limit the possibilities.
Complete a Bucket List
Have you watched the movie The Bucket List? In this movie, a man makes a list of all the things he’s always wanted to do or try and sets out to complete the list before he dies. Sit down and create your own bucket list. Put on small things, as well as large projects. Once you have made the list as long and complete as possible, you can start doing what you have listed. Take your time but keep working on your list, checking off the activities as you complete each goal. Maybe you want to try every ice cream flavor at the local ice cream parlor or go sky diving. No dream is too little or too big. Enjoy just being alive!
Learn More at SeniorSmart
At SeniorSmart, our goal is to help seniors learn how to make the most out of their retirement. We can also give you information so you can make informed decisions for your life. To learn more about how to enjoy your retirement, please reach out to SeniorSmart today at 205.460.1124.
