So, You’ve Finally Reached Retirement? Now What?

Many people find that they’re lost with what to do with themselves once they reach retirement. If anything, people at this age should be asking themselves, what can’t I do? The world is your oyster. After years and years of hard work, it is time for you to truly relax and do the things that you have always dreamed of. It is a mistake to think that being retired means that you have to let go of the things that you love. If you have spent your entire life taking care of your kids, or working tirelessly for a larger company, now is your chance to shine. 

People are now living longer than ever before, so it only makes sense for you to grab the bull by the horns and live life to the fullest. You can choose to be completely pro-active or adversely, do nothing at all with your days - the choice is yours. Retirement is the perfect time to do all the things you wish you had done earlier, but you never had the time to do. Don’t be afraid to try new things and meet new people during this exciting new chapter of life.

​Find Your Forever Home

​Now that you are no longer tied to a specific location because of your job, you have the ability to move anywhere in the world. There are many retirees who decide that they want to pack up their things and move abroad for the first time in their lives. However, you may encounter difficulties whilst getting to grips with a foreign language or find it hard to be far away from your family and loved ones. Other retirees are less inclined to make such a drastic change and opt for easier resort-style communities. There are over 55+ communities in Arizona that offer this type of convenient lifestyle. This kind of community offers modern amenities, like tennis courts, golf courses, spas, and plenty of social hangout spots.

Further Your Education

​You may find that you are still eager to soak up as much knowledge as you can. It’s never too late to indulge in learning a new skill. You could try to learn a new language, join conversation classes, or even find a pen pal to write to. You could choose to take lessons in a subject that you’ve always found interesting. Thanks to the wonders of the internet there are a ton of free courses available online. There are even some extra wacky courses, such as ‘Hypnosis 101’ or ‘How to Communicate with Your Animal Telepathically’. If you are feeling extra brave and determined, why not consider enrolling in a college and getting a degree?

​Volunteer

A lot of people who enter retirement feel a need to give back to their community. When we are working, we often find that we barely have any time to ourselves. Once you retire, you can spend your free time volunteering for causes that you truly believe in. You could pick a local charity or even decide to volunteer abroad. If you were a successful business entrepreneur or career-orientated individual before retiring, another viable option is to join a mentorship program. Your skills are valuable and can be passed on to the younger generation through mentoring.

Pick Up a New Hobby

​Having a hobby is a great way to relax and meet new people with similar interests. There is practically a hobby for everyone and keeping your mind and body active is an essential part of retirement. You could choose to join a dance class, take up tennis lessons, or even learn an instrument. Yoga, tai chi, pottery, and chess are extremely popular hobbies amongst retirees. You could even try to write a novel or a memoir of your life’s adventures. Who knows? You may become the next Millard Kaufman, who didn’t start his famous writing career until he was 86 years old.

Start a Business

​Many people are often mistaken in thinking that you can no longer be proactive during your retirement years. Some people choose to unwind and relax; however, others may find this difficult to do, especially after living such a fast-paced life. You may have a knack for baking and decide to set up a small home-baked goods store. You could choose to become a consultant and use your knowledge or skills to help businesses achieve their goals. If you are into photography or art, you could set up your own website and sell these pieces online. If you prefer a more hands-on approach, why not teach some lessons at your local center?

​Get in Touch with Old Friends… and Make New Ones Too

​Now that you have plenty of time on your hands, why not try to reconnect with all the people who have impacted your life in one way or another. Facebook is a great place to get started and countless friends have been reunited through this social media network. You can also call up old high schools, colleges, or workplaces to see if they have any contact information. Staying in touch with the people you love does not take much effort and can make all the difference when it comes to building a support network. However, don’t forget to make plenty of new friends along the way. 

No matter how you decide to spend the rest of your retirement, make sure you always look after your own health. Being healthy is the most important thing in life, above wealth, knowledge, and experience. Try to eat a balanced diet and keep up with regular exercise. Make sure to also schedule regular appointments with a doctor and make sure you are good to go. Don’t be afraid to take a leap into the unknown and try new things now that you are retired. It is never too late to pick up a new hobby, meet new people, move to a completely new country, or start the business you have always dreamed about.