You have retired, now what? I hope these 50, + 20 new ideas, help you in your quest for what to do each day. Or maybe they will stimulate your mind toward something you would have never thought about. Go out there and enjoy your day!
- If you feel the need to keep working, look into getting a part-time job.
- Travel. Isn’t traveling what you planned to do in retirement? If you are alone, check into packages of group travel. Maybe take a cruise.
- 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 or Craig’s list.
- Start a garden. If you don’t have room in your yard, check into a community garden. And if there isn’t a community garden, see if you can start one in your neighborhood or city.
- 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.
- 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.
- Learn how to play chess. If you already know how to play, find someone to play with or teach a child how to play.
- Read all the books you have accumulated on your bookshelves. If you run out, buy more at a garage sale or estate sale.
- Once you have read those, visit your library for more books. If you don’t have a library card, sign up for one. You will be surprised how many things you can check out of a library, besides books—things like movies, music, and magazines. Libraries usually have computers for you to use. Some cities have lending libraries that lend tools. In California, they include Berkeley, Oakland, Loma Linda, Tulare, San Diego, Santa Clara, and Sacramento. But there are many more in states throughout the country. Check with your local library or PG&E.
- Put aside your former excuses and join a gym (be sure to check for a senior discount) or start walking or running.
- If you want to relax, start taking a daily, or as needed, nap.
- 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.
- 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.
- Get a college degree. Maybe you never did, and now you have the time. Learn new things, and once you have finished, you can walk down the aisle for your diploma, as your proud children and grandchildren cheer you on. You won’t be the first person to graduate in their 60’s, 70’s, or 80’s.
- Go golfing or learn how to golf. If golfing doesn’t appeal to you, try tennis.
- Load up the boat and go fishing. If you are lucky, you might bring home dinner.
- Go out to lunch with a friend. Or track down an old friend from high school and go out for coffee.
- Travel to visit your grandchildren or, if they are local, take them out for a special day at the zoo or the lake.
- 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 that you can hang on the wall. Check Amazon for an excellent selection.
- 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.
- 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. Keep in mind #3.
- Change your hairstyle or if you are adventurous, change your hair color.
- Hike somewhere locally or far away. If you are an expert, think mountains.
- Make a budget to plan your future, so you can afford to finish off your Bucket List. If you don’t have a Bucket List, make one.
- Take a train ride on Amtrak. Be sure to take advantage of the 10% senior discount.
- 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.
- Take a hot air balloon ride. Or, if you are fearless, go skydiving.
- Go on a date to the local putt putt golf course.
- Become a regular fan at your local minor league baseball games. Part-time jobs at baseball stadiums are plentiful if you are interested. Mascot anyone?
- Attend any local events like Chili-Cook-Offs, Annual Festivals, Craft Fairs, Car Shows, Farmers Markets, and Fund-Raising Events.
- Check into the social opportunities through your local senior center.
- 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.
- You can play board or card games with your friends or family. Or put together a puzzle.
- 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.
- Do you love sports? Follow your team through their season, seeing every home and away game. Or possibly visit every professional baseball stadium, even if it takes you a few years.
- Join a Bible study.
- Go shopping, window, or actual, depending on your budget from item #25. Take a trip to a local shopping outlet, Ikea, or maybe the big city.
- 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.
- Visit your state capital.
- Get a DNA test. This can be very interesting for you and a conversation starter among your friends.
- 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.
- Surprise someone you love with a romantic picnic.
- Go to a concert, symphony, or play. Maybe an outdoor one if you have one in your area.
- Roller skate or ice skate like you did as a kid. Extreme caution is suggested.
- Take a cooking or baking class and impress your guests at your next dinner party. Homemade pasta, anyone?
- Go bowling. If you like it, try joining a daytime bowling league.
- Beat the crowd and see a matinee. When you see a movie, always ask about their senior discount.
- Keep your brain working with crossword puzzles and Sudoku. Buy a paperback book full of them.
- Learn photography and take pictures of every trip you take. Enter them at your local county fair.
- Winery tours are common in California. What kind of tours do you have locally? Check them out.
- Don’t forget to have your annual medical checkup.
- Take a relaxing bath.
- Start a blog.
- 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
- If you are brave enough, try a zipline. If you like that, keep searching for ziplines when you travel. They are exciting and can be in the midst of breathtaking scenery.
- Go to your State Fair. If it’s far away, make a weekend of it.
- Make a bucket list of the things you would like to accomplish in your lifetime.
- Support those in need in your community. Find a local charity to support. Volunteer your time and donate your money to the charity.
- Adopt a pet from the local animal shelter. Be sure to take time to think about this before you run over to get a pet. Think about potty training if you are buying a puppy. Consider how often you are gone on trips. Can you take your pet with you? Do you have a place to bring your pet or someone that can watch it while you are gone? Don’t forget the love and support you will receive from that pet.
- Pick fruit in season at your local farms that allow this. In my area, you can pick several kinds of berries. Buy what you can’t pick at a fruit stand. Fresh is the best.
- Learn how to can, dehydrate, and freeze produce. Maybe some of your garden’s produce.
- Learn boxing or karate or something similar. This skill may come in handy if you are caught off guard 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.
- Did you always want to ride a horse? Learn how to ride one.
- Go on a cruise to Alaska or the Caribbean. Or any other place of your choosing.
- 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.
- Try yoga. Or goat yoga.
- If your neighborhood allows it buy a few chickens and start collecting those fresh eggs each day.
- Get your cowboy on and attend a rodeo.
- Relax at a spa. Get a massage. Maybe a manicure and/or pedicure. Get your brows done or maybe some waxing.
- 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. If that works out successfully, you might want to write another.
- Become a tutor or yard duty person for a local elementary school.
- Start making your own wine or beer. First, learn all about the process and then take steps to create what appeals to you.
- Take all your recipe cards and type them into a recipe organizer like Recipe Manager or MasterCook. It makes it easy to find the recipe you want. They also can help you make a grocery list.
- Simplify your life by taking all of your old VHS tapes and have them copied to CDs. Or you can purchase the machine needed to do it and copy them from the privacy of your own home.
I hope you don’t mind that I got carried away and added a few extra. Learn something new every day. There is a world of knowledge out there, waiting for you to discover. Most of all, make the most of the rest of your life.
Let me know which idea is your favorite in the comments below. I know you have a favorite! If you are looking for more ideas, check out the latest version of this post Retired? Now What? 100 Ways to Fill Your Day – Growing Older Everyday
