Retirement doesn’t have to be a time to hang up your hat and put yourself on the shelf. Many recent retirees make the most of their golden years by pursuing interests or hobbies that they love. If you are in good health and don’t feel ready for Bingo at an assisted living facility yet, consider these five post-retirement activities.
Go back to school: Going back to school can be exhilarating for a newly retired person. You have a lot of perspective and fair amounts of discipline. Depending on the program and university, you can even choose your course load. Studying part-time, offers you the opportunity to learn at a relaxed pace. If you have the time and resources, be a full-time student. You might choose to earn a secondary degree or jump right into something you’ve never studied before.
Travel the world: If you’ve always wanted to see the world, then post retirement is a good time to start. Consider taking a cruise line with a friend or spouse. Many cruise lines offer attractive packages for seniors who want to travel and have interesting activities that you can enjoy on board. Taking a cruise is a way to see several places on one trip and it cuts out the hassle and inconvenience of air travel and booking hotel accommodation.
Follow your impractical dreams: You have two things at sixty that you didn’t have when you were younger: financial stability and time. Why not chase a dream that you abandoned when you were younger because it wasn’t financially lucrative? There are several resources you can use to polish up the skills you need to achieve your dreams. If you’ve always wanted to open a restaurant or bakery or write a novel, now is the time to start.
Give back to the community: Get involved in your community by volunteering time and resources. You could join the city council, volunteer for a cause you believe in, join an organizing committee at your local church or help organize fundraisers for local schools. You will find most of these activities absorbing and they will also make you feel like you are contributing to society.
Take on a part time job: Your earning potential hasn’t disappeared entirely. A part time job in your field will take up less of your time and will be less taxing.
