For too many, retirement is something people dream about only to find it isn’t all it cracked up to be. This is because we are used to being busy, with a daily schedule for work and family life that kept us going constantly. In retirement, you often have to find things to keep you busy.
Your hobbies are likely to be the most important things to you in your life after work. They will give you fulfillment, something to keep you active and possibly even a reason to get up and dressed each day.
If you don’t already have hobbies that you did in your spare time or ones that you always wanted to do but never had the time for, it can be a little daunting to start looking for something to take up in this stage of your life. It’s a good idea to look for hobbies that give you these four elements:
- A chance to socialize
- Physical activity to keep you moving
- A mental challenge to keep you sharp
- A creative outlet
Start A Blog
This will certainly give you points three and four. You’ll need to learn how to set up your website and the ins and outs of posting and adding pictures. You’ll also need to get the creative juices flowing by coming up with topics and researching them before you start writing.
A blog will also give you the chance to socialize, even if it is just in the digital sphere. You can connect with other people who are interested in the same things as you. For instance, if your blog is about your favorite recipes, other people who are interested in cooking and sharing recipes will get in touch when they find your blog.
If you want to add in the final point of being active, you can pick a topic to write about that gets you up and about. You could create a blog about exploring different types of exercise for seniors or make it about photography so that you have to get up and go capture the shot.
Get Into eCommerce
You may have been ready to give up the regular day job, but maybe you miss the hustle and bustle of working. There are plenty of ways to keep up some kind of economic movement while still enjoying plenty of downtime. eCommerce is a great outlet if you have an entrepreneurial spirit.
To start with, think of something that you can sell. Maybe you love finding old books at flea markets or know how to get a good vintage bargain at a yard sale. Perhaps you’re handy with a crochet hook or a tapestry needle. All of these can be sold via an online shop like eBay, Etsy or Amazon.
Since you aren’t trying to make a living from this, you can spend some time building up stock of items and then put together a strategy for selling. You’ll also have to learn some online marketing skills.
