Retired? Or Not. . . 43 Things to do Inside your Home this Fall/Winter

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. And what if you aren’t stepping outside much anymore? Here is a list of 43 things to do inside your home this fall/winter. They are grouped together in categories. You might decide that you will start out with the Organize/Declutter section. You could devote a week, or at least a few days to just that category. Not every category will work that way, but feel free to pull items from different categories and make a day of them.

Keep in mind I do encourage you to open the door of your home and go outside and enjoy the outdoors. I have another post for that coming soon “Retired? Or Not . . . 45 Things to do Outside Your Home this Fall/Winter.”

Organize/Declutter

Spare your children a multitude of decisions by decluttering your house now. Or give them the items you plan to give them in your will now. Donate what you can. Or, if you want to sell things, have a garage sale or sell them online through Facebook groups, Craig’s list, etc.
Take all your recipe cards and type them into a recipe organizer like Recipe Manager, ChefTap, or Wisk. It makes it easy to find the recipe you want. They also can help you make a grocery list.
Do you have too many photos on your phone? Use a service like Shutterfly or Journi Print to print some of your favorites and make room for more on your phone. Another option is to make a photo book/picture book. It’s easier to show off your pictures in a book than to search for them on your phone. Your children and grandchildren will love looking through them if you have them sitting out on a coffee table. Once they are in a book, you can delete most of them from your phone. I ordered one for a special trip we recently took. A book of my Mother’s life was a gift for her 80th birthday, and I have a copy. I also have one from my son’s wedding and one for each of their daughters’ first pictures.
Go through your emails and computer to get rid of your old messages and items you have saved on your computer. Delete the phone numbers of people you never call. Empty the trash on your emails.
Do you keep the same passwords on everything on your computer? It might be a good time to change all your passwords to something more difficult to make it harder for someone to hack your accounts.

Start something new

Start a new hobby. Is there something you wished you had time for when you were working but never could do it? Take up that hobby or maybe quilting, crafting, woodworking, model trains, writing, etc.
Are you suffering from a long-term illness? Join Caring Brigde at CaringBridge.org. They have been in business for over 25 years. They offer a place to talk about your illness so that your followers (friends and family) can see what is happening without having to bother you regularly. Your friends and family can send you messages and well wishes in one spot so that you aren’t spending your precious time on social media while you focus on your health. You or your family invite people to visit your CaringBridge page. It’s a great place to stay in contact without having to exhaust yourself by answering questions on assorted social media platforms. However, if you need help setting this up, please ask a friend or family member. If you don’t have an illness, donate money to CaringBridge.org to keep the platform funded.
Learn how to play chess. If you already know how to play, find someone to play with or teach a child how to play.
Create a list of the states in the United States that you have never visited and begin planning trips to see them. A great way to show your progress is a scratch-off map you can hang on the wall. Check Amazon for an excellent selection.

In the kitchen

Try new recipes. Since we have a large garden, I needed to find a lot of new recipes that involved zucchini. Most of the recipes I have found on Pinterest have been successful for me, even though I am a picky eater.
Make a cookbook of family recipes that have been passed down in your family. Type them up on regular paper and put them in a binder. To make them last longer, use clear plastic sheet protectors so they can be wiped clean if needed. You might include a photo of the person the recipe came from. Make several for Christmas gifts.

Relax

If you want to relax, start taking a daily, or as-needed, nap.
Take a relaxing bath. Make it a relaxing spa day at home.
Write out bits and pieces of your childhood and adult life to share with your family. Or record them. Maybe buy a book to write them in.
Read all the books you have accumulated on your bookshelves. If you run out, buy more at a garage sale or estate sale. I can purchase books for 25 cents on Thursdays at my local Hospice Thrift Shop. Check to see if your local Thrift Shops do something similar.

Miscellaneous things to do

Is it time to do a little updating in your home? Consider expanding your master closet, adding a shop in the garage, a wine cellar in your home, or maybe a craft room.
Keep your brain working with crossword puzzles and Sudoku. Buy a paperback book full of them.
Get a DNA test. This can be very interesting for you and a conversation starter among your friends. You will be able to contact your relatives and get a better understanding of your family tree. Maybe start building your family tree.
Make a budget to plan your future, so you can afford to finish your Bucket List. If you don’t have a Bucket List, make one, see #6 below.
Do you have any minor projects around the house that have been on your to-do list for years? Now is the best time to do them. Find your list or make a new one and do one thing each day or week, depending on your schedule. Things like washing the windows, getting the carpets cleaned, painting the baseboards, painting the spare bedroom with that horrific color, something to lighten the room. (White will brighten things up.)
Make a bucket list of the things you would like to accomplish in your lifetime. This can include places to visit, mountains to climb, and goals to reach. Maybe include some items on this list that may take a bit of time, like getting your college degree or master’s degree.

Use your talent

Can you sew? If so, check with your local hospitals to see if they will let you sew bright, colorful gowns for the children in the hospital. I recently saw a story about someone that took this on as a donation project to help cheer up the children in the hospital. You may need to borrow one of their gowns to use for a pattern.
If you knit or crochet, make hats for preemies, families that are in need, and homeless people. You can also make scarves and gloves. There may be a group in your area that you can join to meet occasionally to work together and share patterns.
Start a blog. Learn as much as you can before you jump into this. Check Pinterest for more blog training than you would ever want.
Have you had an adventurous life or possibly a desire to write a novel? It could be time for you to write a book. Learn everything you can about the ins and outs of writing and publishing a book, and then have at it. I do suggest a Pinterest search for this. If that works out successfully, write another.

Learn new things

Learn, learn, learn. Join Masterclass. For $15 a month, paid annually, you can learn from experts on science, sports, makeup, singing, cooking, home decorating, writing (from people like James Patterson, my favorite author,) wellness, business, and more. With over 150 different classes, there is bound to be something for everyone. Each class has multiple lessons (some as many as 20.). Go at your own pace. Masterclass.com. Personally, I think this would make a great retirement gift.
How about playing the piano or the guitar or even the violin? Sign up for lessons now.
Start making your own wine or beer. First, learn all about the process, determine the supplies you need, and then take steps to create what appeals to you.
Are you a user of Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.? If not, have someone help you learn how to use them. I would definitely recommend Pinterest. Pinterest is full of ideas that you can save to your account. I use Pinterest to find out about places I travel to so that I can see what others recommend. Pinterest is also a great place to find recipes.

Friendship/Love

You can play board or card games with your friends or family. Or put together a jigsaw puzzle.
Call a friend you haven’t seen in a while and have a relaxed conversation. Don’t be in a hurry to get off the phone.
Plan a second honeymoon with your spouse. Maybe to a different state or country or to the place you went on your original honeymoon. Be sure to find a nice romantic destination. Splurge a little if you can.
Write letters and send cards to your grandchildren, even if they live close by. Kids love getting mail. If your grandchildren write to you, be sure to write them back.
If you are into games on your phone, see how far you can go with them. Maybe get a friend to challenge you. Try games like Candy Crush and Wordle.

I’m hoping these lists of things to do inside your home this fall/winter will help keep you busy or relaxed. It’s up to you. These are not ideas limited to retirement. Some of them might even work for ideas during school breaks for your older children or college students. Staying inside will give you the opportunity to stay warm, have a warm cup of hot cocoa, hang out with others, or just enjoy the quiet of being home alone while accomplishing something.

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.