Retirement is a difficult concept for lots of people to grasp. One day you’re clocking in and doing a full shift, as you have done for the last 40 years, and the next day you have nothing to do for the foreseeable future. This can lead some people to feel like they have no purpose, and it’s one of the most difficult life adjustments to get used to for many retirees.

There’s nothing wrong with taking a break during retirement, for some people, the long days with nothing penciled in simply isn’t for them. If you’re looking for useful ways to stay busy during your retirement, we’ve put together some suggestions.

Find a new hobby

Working full time often means you have little free time to dedicate to hobbies and interests, so retirement is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby. Whether it’s fishing, learning a new language, knitting, painting, or even something like pottery, there’s plenty out there to fill those long afternoons.

You can attend classes, buy weekly magazines, hire a tutor, or watch online videos to learn more. For those who are retiring alone, taking up a new hobby could go some way to easing feelings of loneliness, especially if you join a class or a club, or choose a hobby that requires you to leave your house. If you’re unsure what to try, here are some of the best new hobbies to take up in retirement.

Read more books

It’s never too late to learn something new! They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. With the help of some vested reading, you can learn all sorts of things about all manner of topics. From discovering how space travel came to be, all the way to learning about the history of major world religions, such as when Islam began and how Mormons rose to prominence.

You could even learn more about evolution, politics, technology, and the formation of popular traditions around the world. By reading books either online or in person, you will be keeping your mind active and expanding your worldly knowledge to your hearts content. Who knows, you might even discover a new passion!

Volunteer

For those who are busy-bodies and like to be up and out, retiring can be especially difficult, and sometimes to the point that people go back to work. If you still want free time but want to contribute and make a positive difference, volunteering is a great option. There are so many causes you can volunteer for – each one as rewarding as the next.

If your passion is dogs, you could volunteer to be a dog walker or groomer at your local shelter. You could even volunteer to foster dogs and other small furries until they find a forever home. For those whose passion is the environment, you could volunteer as a litter picker. If you want to make a change in your community, you can do so in several ways, including by volunteering at a local food bank or aid center. Alternatively, you could go round and visit older people who are suffering from loneliness, or you could take up a part time role in a charity shop for some socialization.

Volunteering is a great way to spend your retirement if you are in a position to remain active and you miss the chit-chat of work.

Summary

There is no right or wrong way to spend your retirement. Whether you want to sit back and relax or get out and stay busy, there’s something to suit every type of retiree. If you’re the type of retiree who wants to stay busy, we hope you find these suggestions helpful.