10 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Time During Retirement

So, you’ve reached retirement age and, even better, you’re finally able to stop work and spend time relaxing and doing the things you enjoy. But retirement can be a huge lifestyle adjustment and once the novelty of having all the time in the world to do whatever you want has worn off, it’s not uncommon for retirees to feel a bit bored or directionless. If you’ve got a dose of the post-retirement blues, here are 10 things you can do to give yourself focus, kill the boredom and make the most of your time. 

1. Rediscover an old passion 

Sometimes life get in the way and passions and hobbies we had in the past fall by the wayside. But now you have more spare time, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with something you used to enjoy doing but, for one reason or another, had to stop. What better time to retune that old guitar or get those paintbrushes out of the loft. 

2. Learn a new skill 

Better yet, why not take the opportunity to try something you’ve always wanted to – but never has the time? Learning a new skill can be challenging especially when you have work commitments taking up a lot of your time. But if you ever wanted to learn a new language, get a qualification, or teach yourself how to become a master potterer, now’s the time. 

3. Join a club 

Keeping social is important, especially in later life and joining a club is a great way to learn a new skill or engage with a familiar passion while also making new friends and sharing ideas with others. You could discover your new favourite book, take the perfect photo or become a lawn bowls pro - all while keeping your mind and body active. 

4. Get fit 

We all know the keeping fit is important but while we are working it can be hard to find the hours in the day to dedicate to exercise – especially as hitting the gym can feel like the last thing we want to do after a long day’s work! But now you don’t need to worry about squeezing in a quick run on your lunch break, or ‘losing’ your Saturday morning to a Pilates class. With more time on your hands, you’ve got much more freedom to choose when, and how, to get fit - meaning you no longer have to sacrifice valuable spare time or compromise your exercise regime. Why not go to that exercise class you couldn’t attend before because it would be too much of a rush in the evening? Or go to the Gym during the quieter hours when everyone else is at work? Now you’ve got the freedom and flexibility to fit exercise into your routine in a way that works for you. 

5. Get green fingers 

Time to get that garden into shape! It’s not always easy finding the time or energy to tame your hedgerow and rejuvenate your flowerbeds, especially if you have weekend plans. But with more time in the week to put to use, you can finally make an overgrown lawn a thing of the past. But beyond just beautifying your garden why not go all-in and run your own allotment? Allotments can be hugely rewarding and offer a great alternative to gardening, especially if you don’t have your own garden space. They do take a fair bit of effort and regular TLC to maintain, which can make them off-putting if you’re at work throughout the week. But if time is less of an issue for you in your retirement, it’s far easier to pop over and check that everything is well-watered. 

6. See the world 

Taking time off work to travel can be difficult, especially if you want to go anywhere for more than a couple of weeks at a time. But now that’s not a problem! Make the most of your infinite holiday to go to the places you want to go to, without having to worry about rushing back. Whether you want to go backpacking through Asia, take an American road trip or put your feet up on a luxurious Mediterranean cruise, the world is your oyster. And even if you don’t have such grand plans, you can take advantage of cheaper mid-week flights and last-minute deals to go on city breaks and quick getaways you might not have been able to go on previously. 

7. See the local area 

Of course, you don’t need to go to cross the globe to enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation. There’s a whole world to explore on our doorstep that often goes ignored while we’re busy with our working life. Now’s a great opportunity time to really get to know your surroundings. Are there any local attractions you’ve always been curious about but never found the time to visit? From museums and galleries to parks and castles, there’s loads to see and do without even leaving the county, let alone the country. 

8. Get a furry friend 

Pets make for great companions, but it simply may not have been practical for you to get one while working full time. But now you don’t need to be at the office for 9 hours a day? That’s time that could be spent with a furry friend instead! With more time for training and bonding, retirement presents a great opportunity to introduce a new member to the family! Dogs have the added benefit of encouraging you to get out and about but if that sounds too much like hard work there are plenty of more low-maintenance companions out there to suit every sort of retired lifestyle. 

9. Give something back 

Retirement is a time to focus on yourself and what you want to do but it can also be an opportunity to help others. Volunteering can be a great way to keep busy and social during your retirement while also making a real difference to others, or the local community. Volunteering can take many forms, from helping at a charity shop to coaching a local youth sports team. It may even be the case that a club you’re already a member of or a local event that you enjoy every year could use an extra pair of hands to help them out. From regular commitments to ad-hoc support, you’d be amazed at all the ways you can give something back during your retirement. 

10. Get a job 

We know what you’re thinking. “I just gave up work, why would I want to go back??” Well, we’re not suggesting you go out and get yourself another full-time job (unless you want to of course!) but if you’re passionate about what you do, you don’t need to stop. For many people work provides structure to their week and is also a rewarding outlet for their skills, not to mention a great source of social interaction. Perhaps there are aspects of your work you enjoy but others you do not? Even if you love what you do and can’t imagine giving it up completely, retirement can be a great opportunity to adjust the way you work to better suit you. You could go part-time or act as a consultant, allowing you to keep involved with your passion while reducing your time commitments. You could even do something completely different. Just know that the choice of what you do with your retirement is yours and if you don’t want to stop working completely, you’re under absolutely no obligation to do so!