I’ve been the creator of the “Retired? Now What?” list of things to do in retirement for years. It started with 50 and is now over 125. But are you looking for something more seasonal? Even if you aren’t retired, this list can come in handy. Every one of these items requires you to step outside. Hopefully, you will enjoy the weather out there. Here is a list of things that can be done away from your home for a change in scenery. Here is the official list of 45 things to do outside your home this fall/winter.
These are good things for you to do. Some are good for you personally, and some are better for others. After all, life isn’t all about you. Do some of these things on your own and do some with friends, family, or even strangers. They will all require you to leave your house and go somewhere else to actually do the item. Some of them can be combined. An example would be to have a spa day, followed by a new haircut. Or get your National Park pass, go to a National Park, and hike while you are there. And if you missed it, be sure to see the previously released “Retired? Or Not . . . 43 Things to do Inside Your Home this Fall/Winter.”
Take care of yourself
- Don’t forget to have your annual medical checkup
- Go out for lunch with a friend. Or track down an old friend from high school and go out for coffee.
- Relax at a spa. Get a massage. Maybe a manicure and/or pedicure. Get your brows done or maybe some waxing.
- Take wellness classes through your insurance, a local yoga studio, or a local church. Possibilities include but are not limited to grief counseling, monitoring your health, divorce care, caregiver support, women’s health, etc.
- Change your hairstyle, or if you are adventurous, change your hair color.
Travel
- Buy your Senior Lifetime National Park Pass for $80 and start seeing all the National Parks. It’s a super deal. https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/understanding-national-park-senior-pass-rate-increase
- Go on a group excursion offered through your local college or travel agent. Our Junior College offers shopping trips, theater trips, and trips to sporting events.
- Go on a cruise to Alaska or the Caribbean. Or any other place of your choosing
- Travel to visit your grandchildren or, if they are local, take them out for a special day at the zoo or the lake.
- Take a train ride on Amtrak. Be sure to take advantage of the 10% senior discount.
Get some exercise
- Hike somewhere local or far away. If you are an expert, think of mountains.
- Start training for the next 5K, half-marathon, or marathon in your area. Enter it and have your fans cheer you on as you pass the finish line.
- Dog walker? Advertise your service and become friends with the animals in your neighborhood while getting exercise. If you need to find dogs to walk, try Wag.com or Wagwalker.com.
Enjoy your community
- Go to a concert, symphony, or play. Maybe an outdoor one if you have one in your area and the weather allows.
- Roller skate or ice skate like you did as a kid. Extreme caution is suggested.
- Go bowling. If you like it, try joining a daytime bowling league.
- Get to know your neighbors. They may end up being great friends. Maybe they can keep an eye on your house when you are out of town. If your neighborhood doesn’t have a Neighborhood Watch, you can work on establishing one.
- Say “hello” to someone at church that you haven’t really gotten to know. Or maybe a neighbor that walks by your house every day. Start a conversation and see what their interests are. Maybe they can become a walking buddy. Or someone to go out to coffee with occasionally. And if you really feel comfortable with them, possibly a traveling buddy. You won’t know until you make that first step of saying “hello.”
- Join your church choir. Either as a singer or as a pianist.
Things to do outside – have some fun
- Beat the crowd and see a matinee. When you see a movie, always ask about their senior discount.
- Do a random act of kindness and pay for the person behind you in the drive-through. It is especially nice if there is a mother with small children behind you.
- Go on a date to the local putt putt golf course.
- Visit your state capital.
- Start a garden. Check into a community garden if you don’t have room in your yard. And if there isn’t a community garden, see if you can start one in your neighborhood or city.
- If you end up loving gardening, consider building a greenhouse to raise flowers and vegetables from seeds.
- How about a compost pile to use in your garden? It is a great way to use or reuse leftover produce, eggshells, used coffee grounds, newspapers, and even dryer lint and hair.
- Load up the boat and go fishing. If you are lucky, you might bring home dinner.
- Check into the social opportunities through your local senior center.
- Start going to garage sales and estate sales. If you learn the value of old items, you may be able to resell the items on eBay or Craigslist for a profit. Or maybe you will find a hidden treasure to keep.
Learn something new
- Take a class or two at your local community college. In my city, they usually offer courses in jewelry making, composting, music lessons, cooking, dance lessons, CPR, and so much more. Or, if you prefer, try Accounting, Music, Geology, or Math.
- Learn boxing or karate or something similar. This skill may come in handy if you are surprised by someone trying to steal your purse or rob your wallet, cell phone, or camera.
- Attend the opening of a new artist at an art gallery.
- Start star gazing. Visit the closest observatory to your home. See if you can locate the Big Dipper. Go to your library to check out some astronomy books. Then, purchase the ones that interest you the most. If you find it as fascinating as you hoped, buy your own telescope. Share your findings with friends and family, especially grandchildren.
- Learn how to play cornhole. Make your own cornhole boards from scratch, or buy a kit. Maybe make your own cornhole bags? Get together with friends and family and have a cornhole tournament.
- Learn how to play bocce ball. If you have room on your property, build your own court.
- Are you feeling lost when it comes to using a computer? Take a class at your local junior college or a place like Computer Tutor. Or have a grandchild help you. Kids are smarter than ever when it comes to technology.
- Take a cooking or baking class and impress your guests at your next dinner party. Homemade pasta, anyone?
Support your community
- Donate blood at your local blood bank. This can be done several times a year, so mark it on your calendar to come back, or if they provide a reminder call, ask for you.
- Your local Blood Bank most likely will also take platelets. This is called plateletpheresis. Call ahead to make sure of the requirements like weight, age, and not taking an aspirin a few days prior. Platelets are a big help to cancer patients. This will take about 3 hours and can be done every seven days, up to 24 times a year. The platelets are removed from the liquid blood, and the liquid is returned to your body. Usually, you are offered movies to watch or bring a book to read or music to listen to during your three hours. They can also remove plasma and platelets are the same time. The minimum age requirement is 16 or 17, so you can turn this into an opportunity to take your older grandchild along and spend the time talking about your life and theirs.
- Take a little more time to become a bone marrow donor. Go to bethematch.org for more information. Most likely, you can sign up for the donor registry at your local blood bank. If one day you match someone, a minor procedure will be performed under local anesthesia. This is a lifesaving gift. They prefer that you be 45 or younger, but with a family member in need, you may be able to donate up to age 65. Check with the blood bank. If you are too old, encourage your younger friends and family to sign up to give this gift of life to someone in need.
- Attend City Council meetings and get to know what is happening in your community.
- Run for a political office in your local community, like the mayor or city councilperson. Or set your sights higher.
- If you have exceptional musical skills, join a local orchestra or band.
- Support those in need in your community. Find a local charity to support. Volunteer your time and donate your money to the charity. Volunteers are especially needed during the holiday season.
- If you don’t know where to support your community, try Meals on Wheels. You can sign up for one day a week or more if desired.
I’m hoping these lists of things, by category, to do outside your home this fall/winter will help keep you busy or relaxing. It’s up to you. These are not ideas limited to retirement. Some of them might even work for school break ideas for your older children or college students. Being outside as much as possible will give you a chance to get fresh air. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to warm up and have a warm cup of hot cocoa, depending on the weather.
Pick your favorite and let me know in the Reply section below. Please don’t hesitate to ask a question. I’m here to help in any way I can.
