Finding your groove after you retire can be difficult. You had the same routine for so many years, and now you have a lot of time to fill. We did some research and talked with a few retirees about how they spend their time these days to come up with these 9 interesting ideas for retirement activities and hobbies. Is one of them the right new hobby for you?
Volunteering
Volunteering is an amazing way to give back to causes that matter to you, meet new people, and create a difference in the world. Not only that, studies show that older Americans who volunteer live longer, healthier lives. No matter what talents or hobbies you have, there is a volunteer position that would fit you perfectly.
One retiree I spoke with, Dan, has put a lot of his free time into volunteering with a variety of organizations. He says volunteering is one of his favorite retirement activities because it “can help make our communities and the world a little bit better.” By volunteering, he is able to have fun, learn new things, build lasting friendships, and give back to his community.
Genealogy
Do you want to ensure your family’s legacy is passed down for generations? Picking up genealogy as a hobby can preserve your family’s history for the years to come. It seems that the more time goes by, the more memories are lost. Start by writing down everything you remember about your family, and then look into contacting other family members and websites that can help you discover more of your family tree.
Related: Legacies that Last: Preserving Your Memories with Legacy Scrapbooks & Heirloom Albums
Woodworking, Model Building, and Arts & Crafts
The satisfaction of creating something with your own two hands is unparalleled. Many retirees take up woodworking, building models, knitting, sewing, or painting. I spoke with one recently-retired couple who has resumed their old passion for woodworking. They told me “We love woodworking together. Together, we make something better than either of us could have done alone.”
If you want to start with something on a smaller scale, try painting! You don’t need to become the next Van Gogh, but a few local painting classes can get you on your way to making some nice art. (Most local art stores offer classes, or can direct you to one.)
Acrylic paints are an inexpensive way to see if painting is for you. The paint itself is cheaper and easier to work with than oils, and, unlike oils paint, it will stick to just about anything! This means you can save on canvases while you experiment. I’ve made acrylic paintings on a variety of surfaces, even old pieces of wood. In a frame, it all looks the same!
Traveling & Vacationing
In retirement, many people find that they finally have time for all of the traveling they want to do. Whether it’s taking road trips, buying an RV, or heading to exotic destinations, planning vacations and traveling is a great way to spend your time. One retiree I spoke with, Heidi, told me that she and her husband’s favorite retirement activities are traveling and planning vacations. Heidi explained that they love cruises, because “My husband likes to keep busy on vacations and loves lectures, while I like to enjoy some time reading and relaxing.” A cruise gives them the best of both worlds. What’s your favorite way to vacation?
Fishing
It’s never too late to realize your love for the great outdoors. And there’s no better place than the Pacific Northwest, with our abundance of lakes, rivers, and streams. If you want to get away for a relaxing day, try finding a quiet and scenic place to spend the day on the lake. Don’t forget your fishing license!
Back to School
Many retirees are going back to school. Local community colleges offer many types of classes that cater to almost every interest. Classes on art, painting, finance, photography, literature, and more are available at the schools near us. Enrollment is fairly simple, and taking a few classes is a great way to keep your mind active. You can check out the online course catalog at Bellevue College to get an idea of what kind of classes are offered near us.
You can also check out free online classes, which are offered on a lot of topics. Harvard has free online classes through HarvardX. Khan Academy also has a variety of free classes, including ones on art and history.
Golfing
A lot of retirees love photography. With the click of a button, you can capture a precious moment forever or create beautiful artwork. There are a lot of websites and YouTube channels that teach basic photography skills, or you could find a local class at a photography studio or community college.
Photography
Gardening as a hobby has so many benefits, like connecting with nature, increasing the curb appeal of your home, and staying physically active. One study even showed that gardening has a variety of health benefits. These ranged from reduced anxiety and BMI to increased life satisfaction and sense of community.
Gardening
Gardening as a hobby has so many benefits, like connecting with nature, increasing the curb appeal of your home, and staying physically active. One study even showed that gardening has a variety of health benefits. These ranged from reduced anxiety and BMI to increased life satisfaction and sense of community.
For the newly retired, adapting to a new schedule can take some adjustment. But as you fill your time with new hobbies, or rediscover old ones, you’ll soon wonder how you managed before! Did one of these 9 hobbies for retirees seem right for you? Whatever retirement activities you decide to fill your days with, we hope you relax and enjoy!
By Heather Agun, Edited by Becky Pearsall
*Created under the direct legal supervision of Stephen Waltar
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