Retirement is an exciting time for some people. It is time to finally enjoy the things you’ve always wanted to do, or a time to focus on hobbies that have been put off for years. You’ve worked hard to get to this point and now you deserve a break. Boredom in retirement is a very real thing and can lead to depression and loneliness. However, with a little preparation, you may ensure a fulfilling retirement that is filled with happiness and adventure.
If you’ve been living your whole life without a hobby, now is the time to start! Find something that’s fun and meaningful. Maybe it’s art or music, but maybe it’s just something simple like gardening or knitting—whatever makes you happy!
Key Takeaways
- Retirement might be the perfect opportunity to branch out and meet new people!
- You could also pick up a new (or old) hobby like bird watching, coin collecting, or even scrapbooking to keep busy during retirement.
- Retirement doesn’t have to be boring, there are many things that you can try!
List of things to do when retired and bored during the golden years
1. Make new friends
As time goes on, you may find yourself with fewer and fewer friends. Retirement might be the perfect opportunity to branch out and meet new people who are interested in your hobbies or just to build friendships that don’t revolve around work.
If you’re not sure how to make friends during retirement, make sure to read an article that I wrote here!
2. Head outdoors
Find a local hiking trail, explore a new park or simply take your dog for an extra-long walk. Being outdoors and in nature has been linked to lower stress levels and improved sleep quality. In addition, it’s another opportunity for you to get in much-needed physical exercise.
3. Start a new hobby
Find a new activity or retirement hobby that you can throw yourself into. Hobbies are not just for children or teenagers anymore! Many retirees are practicing their craft on the weekends. Learning an instrument, painting or sewing are all things you can take up in your spare time.
You could also pick up a new (or old) hobby like bird watching, coin collecting, or even scrapbooking to keep busy during retirement.
4. Get into art
Art is a great way to express yourself and stay creative. You can take art lessons from your local community college, all while interacting with new people who have the same passion for painting, drawing, sculpting, and more.
5. Get into programming
As you get older, one thing that tends to desensitize is your eyesight. As a result, it becomes harder and harder to use the computer. To avoid this problem, why not pick up programming as a new hobby? You don’t need a perfect vision or even be able to touch-type! Learning some code can help keep your mind sharp and you can make new-age techy friends along the way.
6. Throw a party
You have all the time in the world now. Why not get together with friends, family, and former colleagues to celebrate your new life? Your retirement party doesn’t have to be anything crazy or extravagant, but it can certainly help you stay connected to your loved ones.
If you are interested in throwing a party, I highly recommend watching some movies after! Here are some of my top picks!
7. Buy a motor home
If you like the idea of travelling, but don’t want to be tied down with all the responsibility that comes along with taking an actual trip, why not buy yourself a motor home? You can take as many trips as you’d like and it’ll still be waiting for you when you get back.
8. Get a part-time job
No one may think of working part-time or seasonal jobs as a hobby, but it can definitely fill your spare time to overcome boredom in retirement. Working part-time gives you the opportunity to earn money while socializing with new people. Nowadays it’s easy to search online for opportunities without needing to go through an agency or send your resume to potential employers.
9. Get involved with a charity
If you don’t feel like partaking in a traditional hobby, why not help out your community? This could be exactly what you’re looking for. Your local charity can always use help from volunteers. You might have to start off as an assistant and gradually work up the ranks, but it’s a great way to contribute and can also teach you new skills. It also feels great to be helping out and making a difference in other people’s lives.
10. Start a blog
A great way to keep your writing skills & mind sharp is by starting a blog. In addition, every good blog post deserves comments from its readers! You can have discussions with others and get feedback on your ideas or thoughts on specific topics. Maybe future generations will learn from your wisdom!
11. Learn to play music
Whether you want to pick up an instrument or learn a new song, there are many options when it comes to making music. Many retirees enjoy practising their craft on the weekends and even inviting other musicians over for jam sessions. Playing in a band can be just as fun as going out to see one!
12. Reading
Whether it’s a library book or an e-book on your tablet, there are many ways to enjoy a good read. Of course, reading is great for the mind and soul, but you can also use books to learn new things or travel without leaving your home. You can even read to your children and grandchildren!
13. Start a business
There’s nothing stopping you from starting a business and becoming your own boss during retirement. Maybe you have a great idea that you can turn into a profitable company or just want to contribute to your community in a different way. The challenge will keep you motivated and you can earn enough money to do additional things in your life.
14. Travel the world
When you feel loneliness inside you, and you think of travelling, now is the perfect time to take that trip! Not only will it give you something fun to do, but experiencing new cultures & countries can expand your horizons and make you appreciate things more.
15. Spend time with old friends
Maybe you have old friends that you’ve lost touch with over the years. Why not give them a call and see how they’re doing? You never know what other people are going to end up doing after retirement, but it’s always nice to reminisce about the past or even meet up for coffee.
16. Get involved in a corporate board
You may have been retired from your company for a while, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get back in the action. Many companies put outboard members opportunities to stay connected to their community and network with other leaders. It’s a great way to contribute and meet new people at the same time!
17. Remodel your home
Maybe your home is starting to show its age or you want to modernize it in some way. Retirement is the perfect time to do it! With no more workdays in your future, you can spend all the time you need fixing up your house and finally get that backyard pool that you always dreamed of.
18. Move to the country
If you love nature and spending time outdoors, then moving to the country might be the perfect option for you. You can live off the land and enjoy peace & quiet all day long. Plus, if you’re retired with a little extra money in your pocket, it also allows you to pursue hobbies that are more expensive or physically intensive.
19. Move to the city
On the other hand, if you love to be around people and are looking for a little more excitement in your life, then moving to the city might be for you. Now that you have all the time in the world, spend it living closer to work or entertainment so you can get out of the house more often!
20. Write a book
If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, now is your chance! Retirement gives you the time to pursue any hobby or career that you want. Consider writing about something that’s near & dear to your heart or use it as an opportunity to help improve yourself and others at the same time.
21. Learn a new language
Retirement is the perfect time to learn a new foreign language. Not only will it give you something fun to do, but you might even meet some new friends along the way! And don’t just stick with one – languages are great because they usually connect people from all over the world together.
22. Babysit for your grandchildren
If you have children, then you should definitely take the time to babysit for them during retirement. The little ones will love spending time with their grandparents and it gives you a chance to get to know them better! Plus, it’s always nice to spend quality time with family and eliminate the chance of being bored in retirement.
23. Get an education
If you’ve always wanted to attend college or just learn more, then now is your chance! It doesn’t matter if you want to pursue a degree in something related to your career, study an entirely new subject, or just take a few classes for fun. Retirement gives you the freedom and flexibility to choose what you want and when you want it.
24. Consider running for local office
A lot of people stop their civic duty when they retire, but running for local office is a great way to stay involved! Whether you’re running for city councilor or just trying to help your local community in any other way, it’s always important to give back and make sure that the world is still in good hands.
25. Become a mentor
If you’re retired, then chances are that you’ve learned a thing or two about your career throughout the years. Why not use that knowledge and life experiences to help others succeed? Becoming a mentor at your place of work or in your community will give you additional opportunities to network with other people and make sure that your skills & expertise are still being utilized to the fullest.
26. Live within your means
No matter what you do with your retirement, it’s important to live within your means. You’ve worked hard for that money and don’t want to blow it all during the first year of being retired! Make a budget, track how you have been spending money, and try to save as much as possible. Being mindful of your spending can also help you maximize your social security benefits.
27. Take up a new sport
If you’re retired, then chances are that your schedule is a little less busy. Why not take it upon yourself to learn something new? Many sports like skiing, surfing, yoga, etc., require good upper body strength and balance which will help to keep you healthy even as an older adult. Starting a new sport only improves your physical health but also does wonders for your mental health as well. Most importantly, you can participate at your own pace and gradually improve over time.
28. Learn to operate an RV or Boat
Did you know that learning to operate an RV or boat is two of the top skills on most retirees’ lists? Not only are these great hobbies, but they can lead to some pretty exciting adventures. You might even make some new friends along the way! Visit national parks you love with your RV and experience retirement like never before.
29. Join a fitness group
If you enjoy exercise, then this must be on your bucket list! Retirement is the perfect time to take up a new fitness class. It’s also great for socializing which makes it even more rewarding! Keep yourself active and stay healthy by joining a group that meets regularly near your home or work. Exercise such as yoga can also help you stay grounded and relaxed while exercising your body and mind!
30. Start a Youtube Channel
Got a talent or two under your belt? Then use those skills during retirement! It’s never too late to start a Youtube Channel and many people make the income of a full-time job off of their videos. Whether you want to create funny content, helpful tutorials, informative vlogs, etc., there are plenty of ways to become an internet sensation during retirement
31. Visit family more often
You might have grown children or grandchildren by now, but retirement is the perfect time to visit them more often. Not only will they appreciate the extra company, but you’ll get to know your grandkids better while doing fun things together! They are an essential part of your family tree. Spending quality time with family should always be a priority because it’s one of life’s greatest gifts.
32. Teach your loved ones a new skill
Spend time teaching your family members about something you love; whether it’s baking, cooking, repairing things around the house, etc. It’ll help them to understand how things work and what you enjoy doing in your spare time. Plus, they will be eternally grateful for everything that you’ve taught them and will appreciate the time that you’ve spent with them!
33. Start a garden
Gardening is a great way to keep your hands busy and it can also be therapeutic and relaxing after a long day at work. Working with the soil and planting seeds could make for a rewarding hobby. Not to mention, it has other emotional benefits as well: Gardening can be a bit boring and requires a lot of patience and it encourages a person to persevere through the process.
34. Eat out more often
Eating out is a great way to try something new and have a little fun with your friends during retirement! Not only will you get to enjoy each other’s company, but it also allows you to explore the endless possibilities of restaurants in your area.
35. Embrace Spirituality
If you’ve always been curious about spirituality and exploring other cultures, now is the perfect time to start making it a priority in your life! From taking a trip to a different country, going on retreats, or simply reading up on your favorite religion, no one should stop you from indulging in what makes you feel the most connected with yourself.
This can also be an incredible opportunity to reconnect with yourself and be mindful of the present moment. Knowing what energizes and inspires you will empower you with the confidence to be active and involved no matter where you are.
Moreover, no one needs to have all the answers right away; just take baby steps towards uncovering new opportunities that are waiting for you as you near closer and closer to your journey of self-discovery. Now more than ever building an emotional understanding of others is crucial in helping bring everyone together.
So don’t hesitate – start soon to overcome boredom in retirement!
The Bottom Line
Retirement is a time of life that many people look forward to, but it’s important to plan ahead and make sure that the retirees will still have things to do. Whether you want to enjoy some of your favourite hobbies or leisure activities with others or learn new skills, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself busy and engaged in the world around you.
This list is just a few ideas out of many more things that older adults can get involved with and enjoy retirement. It’s always important to be prepared and know what’s next on your agenda before retiring completely!
I hope this blog was helpful in giving you some ideas of fun things to do when you’re retired and bored. If you need help getting started or want someone to bounce ideas off of, feel free to give me a call or schedule a free consultation. I’d be more than happy to chat with you about your retirement goals and how we can achieve them together.
