We've seen it happen with our friends, with our clients here at AZTEC Financial Group, and perhaps with our parents or grandparents. Someone works hard all their life, hustling to make ends meet or prepare for the future, or even just to meet another deadline at work. Busy, busy, busy. Wouldn't it be so nice to be done? they think. Then, finally, they hit retirement. What happens? Sadly, they don't know what to do with themselves, spend their days watching TV and doing other passive activities, and increasingly lose satisfaction. Turns out, they not only resigned from their job, but also from their life.
It's a sad reality. Many retirees feel a loss of identity, purpose, and community. They may have spent half a century working in one manner or another, and possibly stayed in the same career for up to four decades. Even if it wasn't their favorite thing, a job provided them structure, socialization, and sometimes even a purpose. Because of that, many retirees find themselves asking, Now what?
Unfortunately, the answer to that question for many retirees is watching hours of TV, sleeping more, and surfing the internet. In fact, "people age 65 and older watch an average of 4.6 hours of TV each day, compared with about two hours among people ages 25 to 44" (U.S. News, 2023). Of course, there's nothing wrong with enjoying some relaxation and sleeping in. But when retirements are lasting eighteen years on average, that's like doing nothing but vegging from the time you're born until you graduate high school. If that's what you want to do, and you enjoy it, by all means soak up that R&R! But if that's not the retirement you want, you're not tied down to that path.
What other options are there? you may ask. If you need a little help figuring out how to fill up your newfound free time, here are twenty-five ideas to appeal to all types of personalities. Maybe one or two will pique your interest!
Companionship
Move closer to family. More than ever, this could be the time to reconnect with your loved ones. Do you have grandkids that you only see once or twice a year? How about a sibling you used to be best friends with, but drifted from because of life circumstances?
Try out your grandchild's (or great grandchild's) favorite pass-time. This could be a fun way to get to know your family member a little better, and you could find a surprisingly fun hobby in the meantime! Maybe your grandchild is younger, and loves coloring books. Or perhaps they're in their teens, and spend their free time playing video games. What's the harm in giving it a try? They'll likely be happy someone's taking an interest in what they enjoy.
Make a new friend. How do you do that, though? One way is by going to events that interest you, such as crafting classes or book clubs. Even by just sitting in a coffee shop or local park, you're bound to strike up a conversation with someone. They don't have to be the same age as you, either; some of the best friendships have a large age gap!
Give love another try. Maybe you find yourself single at this stage in your life. It would be easy to think that it's too late for another relationship, but that's just not true! One study showed that 50% of once-married adults ages 65 and older had remarried. Sometimes they reconnect with an old flame, or after coping with the loss of their beloved spouse, find someone that brings light back into their life.
Adopt a pet. It's well known that pets, especially those that are attuned to our emotions like cats or dogs, do wonderful things for our mood and health. Why do you think there was such a boom in adoptions during the COVID-19 pandemic? People were lonely and anxious, and what better remedy than a fluffy little thing whose whole world revolves around you? It's the same for retirees. Nurturing an animal can fill up the time that used to be spent working. If you think about it, a retiree's home is often the perfect place for a pet. They're probably around more, they have time and love to give, and with children grown up and moved out, the animal becomes the new baby.
Hobbies
Pick the hobby back up that you haven't had time to cultivate in years. Between working, raising a family, and navigating life, many people find that their hobbies get pushed aside for much of adulthood. And even if you've been able to pick yours up every so often, now you have the time to give it much more attention. So pull that sewing machine out of the closet, or dust off your woodworking tools, and get to work!
Learn an instrument. If someone doesn't learn to play an instrument in their youth, it's unlikely they will in their working years. It takes up a lot of time, and that's one thing that working people often don't have! As a retiree, you might now have that time available. But where to start? There are instructional videos on Youtube, or if you prefer in-person classes and have a little extra cash, you could take lessons from a local teacher. Some senior centers even have free classes — a family friend of mine learned to play the ukulele that way, and she'd perform in concerts with the group.
Refresh your home or garden. Do you ever see pictures in magazines or on Pinterest and think, "I wish my house looked like that!"? Well, what's getting in the way? A DIY project doesn't have to be labor intensive or expensive. Even just painting an accent wall or adding a nice stone border to the garden bed can add some freshness. Here are some ideas to get you started! And if you have the skills or funds, but just never had the time, your options are wide open!
Write a book. Have you always had a fantastic idea for a novel or the best perspective for a self-help book, but figured you'd never be able to bring it to fruition? Well, maybe now is the time! And gone are the days where writers have to jump through hoops to get their book chosen by a traditional publisher — although that's a viable, if intensive, option. If all you want is to see the idea in your head on paper, and maybe sell a few copies, self-publishing may be for you! There are numerous options down that path, one of which is Kindle Direct Publishing by Amazon. Other options can be found here. I've personally published two books through Amazon, and your success and satisfaction with it depend almost entirely on how much effort you put into it. You have the option of marketing your book, selling it at in-person events, and offering it to your local library, but you also can just order a single copy to have on your bookshelf as a trophy to remind you of your accomplishment.
Adventure
Visit somewhere new. Notice I didn't say "travel to another country". That's a wonderful option, but not the only one! I've found that I get stuck in a routine of where I go and places I visit locally, so that even where I live there are plenty of exploration opportunities. Maybe you can take a day trip to a cute town you've never been to, or stay in a unique Airbnb — such as a tiny house, a castle, a yurt, or a tree house! Have you ridden the Cog Railway up Mount Washington? Or have you attended the Highland Games Festival in the mountains of Lincoln during peak foliage season? Our area is bountiful with enriching activities for all ages and interests. People pay thousands of dollars to vacation here, and we're fortunate enough to call this our home! Why not look at your town through the eyes of a tourist for a day?
Work part time. "Wait, I just retired. Now you're telling me to go back to work?" Possibly! Some retirees find that they enjoy the structure and socialization they get while working part-time. To make things more exciting, you could try a job type you've never had before. Get a taste of what it would be like to help kids pick out supplies for their new little critter at a pet store, or work as a tour guide at your local museum. Enjoy new experiences!
Have an encore career. A leap above a part-time job is actually having an encore career, or a second career in retirement. This is an opportunity to start fresh. Is there a business you've always dreamed of, but never got the gumption to start? Or maybe later in life, have you discovered a passion you didn't have the circumstances to pursue? You could follow in the footsteps of Laura Ingalls Wilder, who didn't start writing Little House on the Prairie until she was sixty-five, or Estelle Getty, who was an unknown actress for years until she became famous for her role as Sophia in The Golden Girls at age sixty-three. This website has more inspiration for you!
Take advantage of the library's free and discounted passes. If you have a library card, you can likely enjoy their pass collection. Many of the local libraries offer passes to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Historical Houses of New England, the Seacoast Science Center, the Boothbay Botanical Gardens, and much more! Many people don't know about this provision, but it's a great reason to support your local library.
Adult summer camp. I'd never heard of this before, but it exists! Singing, fitness, cooking, wine-drinking — these are just some of the options available. AARP has a list you could check out!
Health
Give more time to your health. One of the first things that falls to the wayside in a busy schedule is a person's health. They don't know how to fit exercise into their schedule, and planning, shopping for, and cooking nutritious meals can seem overwhelming. Health isn't just physical, though; emotional and mental health are just as important. If you've always struggled with taking care of yourself in any of these facets, know two things: you're not alone, and you don't have to make drastic changes overnight. In fact, a small, sustainable change — like taking a regular morning walk, or spending five minutes journaling what you're grateful for — is much better than taking a giant leap that you can't keep up with. And despite what you may have been told, exercise doesn't need to be miserable! Find something you do enjoy, whether it be dancing, walking on the beach, or swimming, and do it a few times a week. Tada! You're active.
Enjoy nature. The simple act of feeling the sun on your skin can do wonders for your wellbeing. Sunlight triggers your brain to release serotonin, a hormone that boosts mood and concentration. Sunlight has also been linked to stronger bones, a decreased chance of cancer, and even helping with rheumatoid arthritis or eczema. All of that just from getting some sun! That's before mentioning the benefits of fresh air, greenery, and of course, physical activity like walking or biking.
Keep a routine. Sticking to a routine may not sound like the most exciting way to spend your retirement, but it has its benefits. Without the consistency of a job, retirees sometimes find themselves bored and listless. Having even a simple routine can help combat these feelings. This website has some great tips on building a routine you enjoy.
Visit a dog park, even if you don't have a dog. Who can help but smile when they see a puppy playing? Unless you're an ardent dog-avoider, sitting to watch dogs play at the park could be an enjoyable way to pass the time. This checks multiple boxes: getting some sun in, enjoying yourself, and probably even some socializing, because who doesn't like to talk about their pets? And if you're lucky, you might even get to pet a pooch or two!
Purpose
Volunteer. Twenty-five percent of the volunteer work force is made up of those sixty-five and older. There are many reasons to volunteer: to feel a sense of fulfillment, to move your body, to socialize, to learn something new, to give back to the community, and more. The types of volunteering also vary, from walking dogs at the shelter to distributing food at the pantry.
Get in touch with yourself. After decades of taking care of a family or being defined by their vocation, some retirees feel disconnected with their identity. They may feel as did former President Ulysses S. Grant, who confided to a close friend about living as a civilian again, “I am now simply Ulysses S. Grant, and I am trying to get used to it" (Kiplinger, 2024). Retirement can be a good time to reconnect with your values, passions, and priorities. How do you do that? By doing some of the things on this list. Try new hobbies, socialize, and see different places than you're accustomed to.
Set yourself a challenge. People are fueled by goals, big or small. If it's your goal to be physically active, why not challenge yourself to working up to a 5k? If you want to publish a book, why not commit to writing for at least half an hour a day? If retirement is leaving you feeling directionless, it can help to wake up with something to look forward to achieving.
Become a consultant. You've become an expert in your field; why not continue that way? There's a sense of fulfillment in bestowing the next generation with your accumulated knowledge. As a consultant, the company can turn to you with the problems that are outside the scope of their ability (effectively a cry for help), and you're not saddled with the menial stuff. Win-win!
Memorialize your life experiences. Part of your legacy is the wealth of memories you hold. Your grandchildren will never know what it was like to live during the Space Race, or to have milk delivered right to their door (unless they order it through DoorDash!). Help them see you, not as a one-dimensional grandparent figure, but as you really are: a deep, complex, multi-faceted individual with a lot of cool experiences to share.
Get in touch with your childhood dreams. Think back to when you were growing up — as my southern grandfather used to say, when you were "knee-high to a grasshopper". Is there anything you wanted to do or see that you haven't yet? Is there any possibility of you fulfilling that dream now?
Do what makes YOU happy. That's what it comes down to, really. People can talk about the key to a happy retirement all they want, but their key might not be the same as yours. So as you come up to that milestone, or as you move forward through your golden years, find joy, find love, and find yourself.
US News, 2023
Help Guide, 2024
SDPEBA, 2024
Friendship, 2022
AARP, 2024
Healthline, 2019