NGC Im struggling with this retirement thing....How to stay busy?

[LowRyter]

I'd recommend a scheduled  exercise program at the local Y.  Try three days a week at a regular time.

[ramarren]

Working on my aging body is the most important part of what I do in my retirement. Because getting healthy, keeping my mind and my spirit active and moving, is the best way to finish out living.

I ride a bicycle, nearly every day, 10-20 miles a day. It turns out to be both great for fitness and fun, and also to be incredibly practical. It saves a ton of money on fuel and insurance. Everything I know about motorcycle riding enhances it, and it enhances my motorcycle riding too. Win-win.

It's put me into so much better shape that I'm now past the physical therapy I needed for the past several years. Next step is to add some gym style training, with a trainer to give me advice and direction.

[rocker59]

Working 8-hours a day in an office keeps me back-logged with personal stuff to do.

Work gets in the way of life, every day!

I'm always surprised at retirees who say they get bored and wonder what to do with their time.

[ohiorider]

This may not work for you, but it's worked for me ......... I do what I want to do, whenever I want to do it.  Little or no schedule.  Since I'm single, there's no 'honeydo's' or job jar.  For some reason, I don't feel compelled to create things for me to do.  There's always things to do.  Working for me since Jan 1st, 2005.

Bob

[ramarren]

This may not work for you, but it's worked for me ......... I do what I want to do, whenever I want to do it.  Little or no schedule.  Since I'm single, there's no 'honeydo's' or job jar.  For some reason, I don't feel compelled to create things for me to do.  There's always things to do.

Bob

+1

[Sheepdog]

The worst part is feeling like you're not relevant because you don't have a "profession." Don't let this happen to you...stop watching/reading the news and quit the social media. All that stuff leads you down a despondent path.

[guzzisteve]

Well, I retired BUT I'm still working on Guzzi's and could use more to keep me busy. I am a bit choozy now though. Been thinking of going back slinging wood, get paid for exercise.

[RinkRat II]

     Being a field service engineer for almost 40 years I pretty well set my own schedule and that has paid dividends in retirement. I get up about an hour later than I used to, but I still have a mental schedule I try to stick to. Morning rituals, breakfast, walk 4 miles 5 days a week, then the rest of the day is open to my list of stuff to do. Projects around the house, shoot pool with freinds, ride one of the bikes to town (15 miles one way), the list is endless and if I choose to do nothing , well that works too. But for me, I have to stay engaged  no matter what the activity so the old brain wont turn to Jello .  STAY ACTIVE!
       
        Paul B

[guzzisteve]

The worst part is feeling like you're not relevant because you don't have a "profession." Don't let this happen to you...stop watching/reading the news and quit the social media. All that stuff leads you down a despondent path.

Do you consider this forum 'social media'?

[Kiwi_Roy]

I'm long overdue for retirement, pretty much decided to pull the pin this year, this thread has given me some great ideas.
No dog, too much of a tie
Help look after the grand kid(s if my Son gets busy)
Ride more, hopefully attend some rallies
Camping
Fix circuit cards for some gas money
Little as possible around the house, I've been doing that forever and it's still not finished.
Concentrate on health issues so I can stretch it out as long as possible

[LowRyter]

Do you consider this forum 'social media'?

I consider it "anti-social media" 

 

[Gliderjohn]

Just be careful not to end up like a friend of mine. He retired with no hobbies, small house and yard that requires little upkeep, doesn't really like to get out much and does not volunteer so he basically get up sits in his recliner and watches TV all day then goes back to bed. Seems like a waste of life to me.
GliderJohn

[JJ]

Just be careful not to end up like a friend of mine. He retired with no hobbies, small house and yard that requires little upkeep, doesn't really like to get out much and does not volunteer so he basically get up sits in his recliner and watches TV all day then goes back to bed. Seems like a waste of life to me.
GliderJohn

1. "Never stop learning...."

2. "Never retire to LEISURE...only to PROJECTS!"

 

[Sheepdog]

I consider it "anti-social media" 

 

Like John L. said. This is a special interest forum; we�re enthusiasts.

[Muzz]

Just be careful not to end up like a friend of mine. He retired with no hobbies, small house and yard that requires little upkeep, doesn't really like to get out much and does not volunteer so he basically get up sits in his recliner and watches TV all day then goes back to bed. Seems like a waste of life to me.
GliderJohn

 :1: on that John.

That would drive me bananas in a very short space of time.

[pehayes]

Buy a good, used lathe.  End of story.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[guzzisteve]

Like John L. said. This is a special interest forum; we�re enthusiasts.

Whew, that's good.

[Huzo]

What bike have you got ?
Plan a trip and DO IT !!!

[JJ]

What bike have you got ?
Plan a trip and DO IT !!!

There is nothing like a long, (500-900 mile round-trip), overnight motorcycle trip to "cleanse one's soul!!" 

"Movement and exercise" is also very important...

I like Patrick's suggestion about a nice used lathe!  Never stop learning!

Regarding work (which sadly, I am still doing full-time...) No one on their deathbed ever said: "I wish I spent more time at the office..."   

[Green1000S]

Not retired yet but Ill be taking knife making courses at local blacksmith.
Bikes and knifes, that’s my retirement plan. And cigars. Maybe beer too.

[Tom]

Learn to make beer.   

[malik]

There's lots of s uggestions.on this thread previously, but none of which seem to have jumped out & grabbed your interest. It doesn't really matter what you pick to dabble in, but try a few things to see where your enthusiasms lie. This is. Not necessarily short term stuff - plan on, say, 30 years. Note that it's often the people you meet & friends you make along the way that keep that enthusiasm at a gentle boil.

Learning new stuff, or learning more about old stuff is always positive. Pick up some handy new skills along the way. In the meantime, another language is good (not the usual pick for em any people) - but it gets  part of you mind working, meet new people, going to have to visit communities/countries a lot to get the accent/tones sorted. Anything that has fringe benefits that help health & particularly flexibility (of body or mind) is always an advantage. Do stuff you never had the time had time for till now - it's a wide, wide world out there. Enjoy it.

[Huzo]

Go and visit some children with terminal illnesses.
They'll reveal the true value of 24 hrs of life....
They could enlighten you on the inherent downsides of wasted days... (Freddy Fender)
Take some children with terminal cancer out on the bike and see if their Mum or Dad complain about the danger aspects..
Volunteer for Amnesty International or Salvation Army.

[93spada]

I retired in June of 15.  For the first 2 years I worked on cleaning out my home and selling it. At the same time I had to find a new place to live. Then it was time to resurrect my neglected bikes.  Got that done and Bro and I did some touring to work out my and the bikes bugs. We really enjoy heading your way and finding all the Army corps of engineer projects we can and touring them.  One thing that helped me a lot was NAPS!!!! Once that was all caught up, I got a part time job with a buddy of mine for the winter doing land surveying. It is good exercise and gets me into the woods on beautiful sunny/snowy days.
have to go clean up the snow from this last nor'easter!!!!
More to follow.
Paul

3/15/18
So, I have to say, it's not hard to keep busy.
Just got back from snow blowing my ex-in-laws driveway. She is still in good shape but he has issues that keep him from running machines, so they need help around the house.
Now i'm seeing another storm coming next week!!!!!!  ENOUGH ALREADY!!!
I also do small odd jobs for them also. That takes up 1 day a week year round.

Stuff seems to keep me busy. Yesterday, after snow blowing, spent 2 hrs on the phone trying to figure out why I got $1600 in bills from my colonoscopy. (got bent over twice!!!)
This year I am also going to try to do my own taxes. That should take up a solid month!
NY instructions 71 pages, Fed 107 pages. WTF!

But, back to riding......
I now keep a small ultralight collapsible fishing pole and small box of lures on the bike. See accessible water, Fish!

I have also gotten back in touch with some old friends and we play 4hrs of doubles ping pong every Friday night. It would be really good exercise if we didn't eat pizza and drink heavily. 
We add 2 other guys and play $0.25 -0.50 cent poker once a month. A bad beat night is $20.
The last round I lost $1.75 after 3hrs play. That is a lot cheaper than going out drinking at the local pub.

So..... after all that blah blah blah,
Do what you want. If you want to sit in a chair all day every day, do it. Its your life.
But... I think you'll find that life stuff will keep you busy.
For me the most important thing is the part time job.  I need to feel that I am needed and contributing.

Happy retirement!!!!
Paul

[pressureangle]

I haven't read all the previous responses, but depending on what your profession and experience was, it isn't hard to find contract jobs, on or offshore, that can add to your life experience in ways that feel more like vacation while doing something productive, meaningful, and usually very lucrative.

[bobrebos]

Im slowly figuring this retirement out now i guess.  Just slowing down is part of it.  Now I'm going to  spend time at my cabin, work on my old cars and my motorcycles, help the neighbors and cabin neighbors out, and generally make myself available to help others.  Life is good!  Thanks for all the ideas and opinions....

[JJ]

Not retired yet but Ill be taking knife making courses at local blacksmith.
Bikes and knifes, that�s my retirement plan. And cigars. Maybe beer too.

Years ago, I took a several week knife-making (fixed-blade) class from this guy, Tim Hancock.  He is quite famous now...

It was quite interesting and educational...and the skill-set required to make custom knives at his level is not for the faint of heart....

http://artknifeinvitational.com/artist-tim-hancock/

[Denis]

My dad retired at 53, the same age I am now. He and mom took up ballroom dancing and two weekends ago they danced in their last competition: he'll be 79 this year and mom will be 75. She gardens and for years volunteered at the Asheboro Zoo, same as dad. He also picked up the fiddle and the trombone (he played in his high school marching band) in addition to playing the guitar and piano and he also paints. He also spends time researching family history.

A few years ago, thinking of the day when I might not be able to ride, I started teaching myself the bass guitar and ended up with a collection and rehabbed a few. I've also got a backlog of model kits waiting.

I have another Indian project currently and would love to get another when this one is done.

Boredom is a killer!

[Bulldog9]

Good thread and great ideas.  I'm 4-5 years out from retirement and am starting to plan now. Been hitting it hard since I was 14, am looking forward to working for ME and SWMBO......... lol  I'm thinking I need to plan some kind of yearly project or trek and go from there.  All will be 3-4 months.

Year 1 - Summer - see a baseball game iin every stadium during the season, ride my motorcycle between stadiums, and take my time - 3-4 months
Year 2 - Hike Appalachian Trail
Year 3 - Finally goto Israel (saving now)
Year 4 - Revisit Greece or Ireland
Year 5 - whatever I diddnt do above

In between I plan to work on the house, have a project car or motorcycle, spoil my grand kids, and in between write. Something I've always wanted to do but just never had the mental space to do.

I am also looking at affiliating with habitat for humanity or the Salvation Army, and the local hardware store/garage may need an old wrench to work a day or so here or there. My wife thinks I should do handiman work in the neighborhood as I am surrounded by a bunch of girly man skinny jean latte sipping liberals, but too many have hot wives....... LOL

Find a project, as others have said, volunteer, do what you LOVE, or find something new. I've also thought about the big brother program. But whatever I do I am NOT answwering to anybody but me.....

[Lannis]

Good thread and great ideas.  I'm 4-5 years out from retirement and am starting to plan now. Been hitting it hard since I was 14, am looking forward to working for ME and SWMBO......... lol  I'm thinking I need to plan some kind of yearly project or trek and go from there.  All will be 3-4 months.

Year 1 - Summer - see a baseball game iin every stadium during the season, ride my motorcycle between stadiums, and take my time - 3-4 months
Year 2 - Hike Appalachian Trail
Year 3 - Finally goto Israel (saving now)
Year 4 - Revisit Greece or Ireland
Year 5 - whatever I diddnt do above

In between I plan to work on the house, have a project car or motorcycle, spoil my grand kids, and in between write. Something I've always wanted to do but just never had the mental space to do.

I am also looking at affiliating with habitat for humanity or the Salvation Army, and the local hardware store/garage may need an old wrench to work a day or so here or there. My wife thinks I should do handiman work in the neighborhood as I am surrounded by a bunch of girly man skinny jean latte sipping liberals, but too many have hot wives....... LOL

Find a project, as others have said, volunteer, do what you LOVE, or find something new. I've also thought about the big brother program. But whatever I do I am NOT answwering to anybody but me.....

That's a great list, and I hope it all works out for you, sounds like a real plan!

Having made the same kind of list, and having been executing it for 3 years now, I'll just give one word of advice from my own experience.   Volunteering for the Salvation Army, or making yourself available for helping old folks in the neighborhood, or being a Big Brother, or a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, are some of the best things you can do.

BUT (and this is a big BUT with hooks and fangs in it), once you commit to a certain level of helping, it's very difficult to "back out" of it without hurting someone who might be expecting help, or who has come to depend on you.   It's not just that once the people who run these programs see that you are a hardworking and DEPENDABLE helper, they will try to load you up with more ... those things are easier to say "no" to.

It's the programs that you are already in ... the calls come more and more often, and it's very hard to say "NO!" to them.   At least it is for me.

Don't hesitate to get into it, but make it clear what level of involvement you are committing to.   It's a big world out there with a lot of needs, and you can't do it all ... !

Good luck!

Lannis