Retirement Oz - Am 57 just retired early and want to try something new. Fed up with housework , decorating and ironing already

Am 57 just retired early and want to try something new. Fed up with housework , decorating and ironing already

I am not just sitting here bored! i love my home, I enjoy my grandchildren and i can fill every waking hour. But I just want something more stimulating and social to do for ME. Unfortunately my best friend died last year and somehow I don't want to do the things we planned with anyone else. I want to start my own journey and am looking for ideas that I may not have had.

Public Comments

Travel the world...or go parashooting!!!!!!
get a corvette just like every other guy going through midlife crisis.
Have a sex change and then you can watch football all day drink beer and generally do nothing
Volunteer at an animal shelter, or some other cause that interests you. Join a book club or a gardening club or a quilting club or a wine tasting club... or start your own club. Get a dog if you don't have one already... they can take up alot of time and are alot of fun. Take up a new hobby or learn something new like guitar playing or how to speak spanish. Take a course for something like calligraphy or computer skills. Most of all, do things that are enjoyable and make you happy... this is supposed to be YOUR time, don't waste it all on housework!
Learn to ski, take up roller-blading, buy a Harley Davidson, become a local community volunteer, What about the Scouts? Get out there and get busy because retirement is the fastest route to the grave. Stay young, get involved.
Since my mrs retired she's joined Ancestry.co and has been doing the family tree,it keeps her nice and quiet.
Take an art class, like painting, sculpture, ceramics, etc. Or pick up hiking. If you're in the U.S., the Sierra club has chapters all over the country. Get a gourmet cookbook and try some new recipes. Horticulture? Bungee jumping! Do some volunteer work -- surprisingly rewarding. Would you consider getting politically involved? You might try that. Or just get a part time job at a coffee shop or bookstore. Hope this helps.
Try taking up a course at your local college. It doesn't have to be a degree, but you could do a course in anything from photography to cake decorating. Is there something you wish you had done when you were younger but never got around to doing it. Would you like to learn a foreign language, write a book, discover your family tree ???? Your local college will have a prospectus available with all the courses. Find an hobbies that you enjoy. Cross-stitching, card making, baking. Theres plenty to do, you just have to decide what you would really like to do and what you think you would be able to stick to
are you uk or usa?
Why don't try volunteer work. Help educate our lost young generation with your vast wealth of knowledge. Make the world a better place by informing it and helping our young. God bless and enjoy your retirement.
Theres plently of things for you to do! As many people above me have said, volunteer. You can do it at your local library (I'm sure theyd love to have you), a local animal shelter, after school care, the local food pantry, etc. You'll be keeping yourself busy, having fun, and helping out the community at the same time. You can also check out your local senior citizen club. The ones around me are always doing something, playing bingo, going to the movies, having a social event, going to Atlantic City (I live in New Jersey), going on weekend getaways, doing all sorts of things. You can also join some local clubs. I'm pretty sure your town hall or local community center has a list of active clubs in the area. They might be gardening, arts and crafts, computer, etc. Check out your place of worship for some clubs as well. You could also sign up for an adult education course, to learn something that you've never done before. It could be another language, a hobby you want to take up, or just some random course that sounds interesting. Its a way to have fun, and meet new people in the process.
I was forced to retire early too. I know how you feel. If you're up to it, volunteering is a wonderful way to get out of the house and out of yourself. If that doesnt appeal to you-going to the best library in your area and do some research in person instead of online. Look up all of the attractions in your town that you never had time to go to. Do you like museums? I'm sure that if you've worked most of your life, you have a wealth of knowledge to spark new interests and to share with people who havent had as many chances. Good luck with this. I find I dont mind retirement at all now.
And it will get worse...I shudder to think that your headstone will read, "She Gave Good House." At your age, I started a new on-line business that has been very successful...I was lucky, I suppose...but I was sick to death of everything I had done in the past...NOW, I have a great life, love what I do, and do not ever plan on retiring. I took 5 years off work in my 40's to be with my teenagers....and that was more than enough to tell me I would never retire. ... it was like retiring from life! Think about all your experience, what would be fun, and how you could use everything you know in one tight package...investigate selling YOU....you will be amazed at what can happen if you hit it ... my business support 6 families, keeps me hopping, and...when I do not feel like working, I let my people do it for me...they are perfectly able to run it for me in my absence. Perhaps I have it too good, but ... I have worked damned hard all my life, often doing things I really didn't like. Today, I talk to people all over the world daily, keep fresh and aware of what is going on in the US and the rest of the world from PERSONAL points of view of my clients...it is great. If you want to see what I do, here is my company. rhinestoneguy.com
When I retired, I decided to try something new. It was meant to be symbolic and therapeutic - the beginning of a new era. I spent some time at the newsagents looking at magazines for inspiration, even bought a few! In the end I settled for cross stitch, it's creative and absorbing. There's so much choice really, from the productive, like arts and crafts, writing or gardening, to the purely for pleasure like travel, drama, singing and sport or even learning a language. If magazines don't inspire you, try the adult education centre, the new prospectus should be out now. The world is your oyster, aha, did I mention fishing! Good luck, hope you find what you're after.
do a Tefl course and then VSO work teaching english
Volunteer. Google the name of your city and the words volunteer or volunteer opportunities. You will finds tons of stuff to do. There is a great need for volunteers. Also, take classes, travel if you like.
When I first retired I got a pick-up truck, dog, and camper and we set out to see America. I have lots of fine memories, but that trip, 3 years, is the best. Right now I do bits of community things here in the complex where I live and at a retirement center where my sister is. Use my skills as a retired baker mostly. It is amazing just how fascinated people are watching cake decorating. I would not be so bold as to suggest what you might do, but hope this sparks your imagination
See what courses you could do at college- Salsa dancing (good exercise, and is sexy) wine-tasting pottery massage or learn a language, computing, first aid,
DO NOT GO TO SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB!!! Mix with younger people to stay in touch.do some voluntary work mixing with people,keep fit. join a gym. do belly dancing find a subject you like and take up photography Quiltin? bingo? cross-stitch? NO WAY! I am 62 and at 55 I started working as a rock music photographer. Best thing I ever did. when you dont know what to do, you can do anything you like. Have fun!! By the way, if you decide to go backpacking in Thailand for six weeks, let me know. You wont have to go on your own!
But what's new to try...lol The only thing to do is to see new places. If like me; you are on your own...it may be difficult....But If you like your own company, you could venture out on your own. I do it and it's fun. Maybe we could meet up and explore together....(smile)
Physical activity? Start practicing to run a marathon. Learn how to bowl. Target practice, gun or bow. Fish. Become a rock hound. Dig up dinosaur bones. Join a choir/orchestra.
I am 62 and NOT retired! BUT: I decided to challenge myself and started hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Started out with a few hours here and there and I soon discovered, not only was my body getting in shape, but my mental outlook had taken a turn for the better. Toting a bottle of water, lunch, rain gear, binoculars, & camera (along with my dog) was all I needed to for a few hours of getting back to nature and finding me. I am also a Red Cross volunteer for national disasters & have seen some pretty rough stuff, so hiking is very rewarding for me, & I get to meet & chat with some of the nicest folks too. Bear in mind these folks are all about nature and caring for their trail too. I hike, on average now, about 6-8 hrs. a day for 2-3 days at a clip (when I get the chance). Is this something you might like to do? Maybe, maybe not. But it sure helps get you in shape for other things that may attract your attention. By the way: I have had 3 spinal surgeries in last 12 yrs. & had polio when I was a kid. This old broad is NOt about to toss in the towel. Good luck with your quest.
I don't blame you for being fed up. That's not what retirement is for. That's the stuff you did all the time you were working with your full-time job. Life is different now. The answers given here are just great. Try one or all of them, you won't go wrong. Here is one really important thing to remember about retirement - it's only a change in lifestyle. Search out the things you like to do FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT. Kick back and enjoy life, but do not do it from a rocking chair. You are way, way, way too young for this. My Dad retired at almost 70 years old and gave me the best piece of advice I have ever received "When you retire, don't sit down, keep moving". Perhaps I shouldn't say this to someone who has retired, however, a great portion of the Senior population is retiring, finding out they liked working better, change careers, and go back to work. Whatever you decide, hug this life for all it's worth and you'll never be sorry.
Well what's something that you wanted to do all of your life and never had the time ? Travel, learn to play the violin, piano, guitar. Go back to school, work on a degree, go for it, join a club, be daring, this is the time of your life that you can do anything you want to. If you had children their raised and out of the house (hopefully) so what's holding you back, and none of that stuff your too old, a women last week got her degree at 95 yes 95, I couldn't believe it myself, good for her. So do that thing that you always dreamed of no matter how silly you think it may be at your age, who cares it's your life and you only have one, GO FOR IT, and have fun !!!!!!!
my art class is looking for Life models!
"We request you to chant HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE, HARE RAMA HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA HARE HARE, and your life will be sublime."
1. Painting - the arty kind I mean...enrol in a class. 2. Join a walking group. 3. Volunteer. 4. Plan a long journey, do it yourself not through an agent, use the internet and go where you want. 5. Help your neighbours, family etc., who don't have so much time. 6. Write a book. 7. Learn to play a musical instrument, write your own music and record it. 8. Research family history or the history of your town etc. 9. Take a correspondence course...in mechanics, computer, foreign language, flower arranging, psychology or whatever. 10. Read all the books you never had time for, see all the films and listen to the music.
There's plenty you can do, help at a charity, help with meals on wheels, be a hospital driver. Crossroads Organisations always need volunteers. Or there's always Citizens Advice, that would be an intersting place to help out .
Go to the library - get involved with local groups and societies which run there. Look at the posters to find out what goes on locally. And pick up a book!
Go backpacking in Thailand (at least 6 weeks) it's brill take a friend, go alone, you will love it check out 'the thorntree' before you go
I'd love to cross dress for you and do all of the housework, decorating, and ironing.
Take up a college course. There are always some that are free taster courses. Maybe learn a new language then go there and try it out. The world is your lobster so enjoy your life whatever you do. Happy retirement.
Perhaps you should find another job if being at home bores you .I am in the same position having retired early , For many years I had a high pressurise job and virtually no leisure time . Now I enjoy not being in a stressful situation and can relax . We are all different though so perhaps the best idea is to get some volunteer work in the local community . You can then limit the hours you want to work as against what you want to at home. Whatever you decide enjoy this stage of your life , you have earned it !!
Ann, it will come to you. Or more likely, it has always been there but you have not noticed it. One door closed but another door is about to open.
Me too. I dont have the answer but I'm gonna bookmark your question and come back to it later to find out what the answer turns out to be. Cant wait to find out!
reinvent your sex life xxxxxxxxxxxx
Get a Harley, take in some bike rallies. Get a recreational pilots license. Take a trip overseas - start with China, then hop on over the Paris or Australia - sign up for a womans outdoor adventure group - go white water rafting, take up sailing, take some college courses or take some metal sculpture classes, jump out of a plane, if you are able bodied there is so much you can do ! The skies the limit - really.
Join some groups. Anything interesting in your area? Here, in this small town, there's the museum funding group, a ceramics group, church groups. And bigger towns have more groups. Sure to be some that interest you n your area, if you'll look around a little. Volunteer. Get out and help someone. Do Meals on Wheels. Or drive seniors to the doctor or out to shop. What could you do at your hospital to help patients and families feel better? Or, whatever. Many other volunteer groups out there. If you're busy and feeling helpful to others, it will help you, too. Very important to get out of your house and spend time with other people. Important to feel useful. And, important to find something that you really love doing. As for me, I volunteer at church. Teach Jr Church and Sunday School. Also get into the other church things. Potlucks, etc. And I do ceramics because that is a thing that I totally enjoy for myself. And a Bible Study night, with people who are now my good friends.
Get into dragon boating or outrigger paddling. I did, and it had an unexpected bonus - competitions are held around the world and if you want to work at it you can enjoy travelling to meets with your team mates, and having an instant entree into another country.
Go Travel in a RV and see are county we did it for 4 year and love it ,Try Escappees club it for RVing to have fun and adventure in Oregon,Canada,Arizona. and stay in RV Park all over the USA.
You are young! You could try a new career, one that didn't pay enought when you had to work..there are lots of possibilities out there. You can also volunteer, there are many many organizations that will be thrilled to have you. Travel is wonderful...even something simple like buying/renting an RV.go where the road leads you!
Join the Red hat society group. there is a group in every state. when i lived in Arizona i belonged to one and i had fun,fun,fun. now i have moved to Reno; i missed my group of ladies they knew how to have fun. take care,
PASSION !!! Find your passion and follow it. Think back to all the things you wanted to do when you were younger, you can still do some of those things, although, I wouldn't want to go bungee jumping. Try some soul searching what do you love, we have so much to offer whether it be volunteering, part time work, Internet business just find the PASSION !!
Ann, Ann, Ann.... 57 years old? Get the heck out of the Senior Citizens category with your question!! :) :) You didn't "retire". You stopped working. In all seriousness: You are going to go through an adjustment period. You've done the housework-only phase, and now you're ready to build your life into something more and different. You'll find something.
Most women I have seen get jobs in charity shops. At that age
go back to when you were a child. What did you enjoy then? Rediscover your real self,before husbands and children. You will be surprised when you find out what your real passion is.
I'm 65 and I have been going into an infants school to listen to year 2 them read for some years now. I was told that if they have not read to me for a while they complain to the teacher. Most schools welcome voluiteers and you will need a CRB grey form before you start and must be prepared to bitre your tongue if you don't agree with teaching methods. It will take some time to build up trust but it is worth it
bungee jumping ive heard is great.
You need a new friend to do things with. The things you wanted to do with your friend you could do to honor that person. I'm sure if you could ask they would say you should do those things.
find a hobby that you can share with like minded people in your area. ♂♂