Retiring is a real shock so what do you do in retirement

pollypenny

Good on you, scaty. OH and I are having a good retirement. Relaxing in the US at present.

When at home, busy with U3A and rugby. Our U3A members are mainly in their 60s. However, the older ones have loads to offer and are a pleasure to work with.

Jennifer_Jane

pollypenny wrote: »

Good on you, scaty. OH and I are having a good retirement. Relaxing in the US at present.

When at home, busy with U3A and rugby. Our U3A members are mainly in their 60s. However, the older ones have loads to offer and are a pleasure to work with.

I've now retired and am busy with two U3A things. It's very cheap (ours is £9 a year for the membership and 50p each session for an indoor session, outdoor is free). There are several walking groups with different aims; and all kinds of other activities. I had wanted to do tap-dancing, but this group didn't want complete beginners. I'm doing Advanced French, which is a bit of a stretch. Two subjects is enough at the moment.

Of course, if anyone has been in business and wants to start up a new activity, then just contact your local U3A group, and they will ask the members if there's enough interest.

For me, living alone, the one thing I wanted was structure and mental challenge, but more it was interacting with people. Having worked for 45 years, that was the key thing for me. I can't really tell how old people are, but they do seem to be in their 60s rather than 80's. I'm discovering loads about my local town on the walks, and walking with people who have lived there all their lives, it's all been so interesting and the walks around the local canals and countryside are stunningly beautiful.

Would heartily recommend it.

Jen

pollypenny

Jen, your point about new groups is good. One member has started bowls, darts and table tennis groups. I take a poetry group and one of our four reading groups.

One woman has just started a self-supported learn Italian group.

Life is interesting and I have made loads of friends. You can do intellectual if you want, but just fun is allowed!

Errata

Anything that's interesting, whether intellectual or fun, can promote a good life. Sometimes I do some research for the course I'm doing, sometimes I sit on my bum and slob out, sometimes I meet friends for shopping or lunch or drinks, every day I walk to the dog.

All of these activities I can drop at a moment's notice, but I'm not sure I would want to start a new business, for instance a B&B, in retirement because that couldn't be dropped at a moment's notice.

Primrose

I think it's essential to do something which engages you otherwise your valuable retirement years will just whittle away without any motive. Remember that you've worked hard all your life for this moment, so think about all those moments when you were slogging away under pressure and thinking "If I wasn't doing this I could be travelling / joining such and such society / visiting a National Trust property on a sunny days, sorting our all my old family photos, etc. The list is endless.
Are there any Adult Education Classes you would like to join? Learn a new language, or join a walking group? I can heartily recommend U3A (University of the Third Age). It's a national organisation for retired/semi retired people who want to join together in groups of common interest. The one I belong to has over 20 different groups ranging from Garden Visiting, Walking, Ornithology, Computer Users, Science, History, Family History, Opera, Antiques, French, Italian, etc. and if you check the national U3A website you'll be able to find the nearest group to where you live. I have met a lot of new and stimulating people through U3A since retiring. The National Trust, if you're interested in that kind of thing, also have local groups which arrange lectures and outings to places of interest. I also joined a foreign language class to brush up a foreign language, and became a member of a writing group which I found incredibly stimulating and rewarding. Some of my time is spent in voluntary work, which again, has proved rewarding. Retired people have so many life skills which are very valuable to voluntary organisations - it's just a question of finding your forte - either Citizens Advice, working as a police volunteer, using your business knowledge to help a local charity, standing as a Parish councillor. Age Concern are always looking for interesting people to visit the lone elderly in their homes once a week to provide them with some stimulating company. Care Homes would often welcome a similar visit from those who have no relatives nearby, and local hospitals are always looking for Friends too. Your local library or your local council will probably have details of organisations in your area who are looking for volunteers. Many of us never had time to "give anything back" when we were hard pressed for time in our working life, so this is an ideal opportunity to do a little giving. The world seems to be full of "takers" right now, so those who have a little "to give" are always welcomed with open arms. Good luck. Remember it's always better to be too busy, than rotting in an armchair waiting for the undertakers to arrive!

hethmar

chickmug wrote: »

I wonder if I can ask for help from those who do work for the CAB?

I hear there is a training course but how long is it and does it involve full days. Also the time slots involved in, doing the work eventually, are they full days or part days.

The reason for me asking is that I did retire due to poor health and am only able to work fairly efficiently in the mornings.

As an ex CAB worker, I would say chickmug that there is a lot of studying involved and that you need to keep up to date with issues and information. Im not trying to put you off but I get the feeling you are concerned about a lot of studying?

When I worked at the CAB I know a lot of people who applied were quite affronted to find that there is a quite intense selection process - you have to be particularly p.c. in this day and age - you dont just walk in and say "right Im here, first customer please". If you do get accepted, it does involve months of training and the training is ongoing. I remember being told "Its the same as a job, but you dont get paid for it" Thats the amount of commitment that is needed .

What about something with less pressure like a museum guide for a local museum? Have you thought about Health Walks too? They are a fairly new idea but there are different weekly or bi weekly local walks at different levels for those who have been unwell or returning to some sort of exercise. Level one would basically be a stroll for a couple of miles at your own pace with a group of similarly minded persons.

Have you thought about family history research? Thats a fascinating hobby and rewarding - can do as little or as much as you want - can travel to places for the purpose of persuing the interest, meet distant rellies you never knew existed .............

You should have a local voluntary services co-ordinator - ask your CAB for the contact number. You can then get a list of the type of work available. Possibly, visiting people in hospital, helping with talking newspapers, local hospital radio and so on.

Sammie_

Well op asked what others are doing in their retirement. Me and hubby are doing something completely different.

We sold up and bought a narrowboat and have been living on the canals and rivers of England for 8 years now and we have never ever regretted our decision.

We are very active especially in the winter collecting wood for our woodburning stove.. and that is warm enough never to want the central heating switch on.. hey even today!

We have sky tv, and just about everything else we had in the house, oh except the dishwasher.. but that keeps OH busy!

We have two border collies and miles and miles of walks.. a change of backgarden most days... bus passes take us all over visiting villages and towns as we move around the country.

I have written a blog most days since 2004 if you are interested at www.choiceforum.co.uk

I hope I am allowed to put that link in, if not then I am sorry. It shows what retiring can be like if you take the plunge!

hethmar

Wonderful sammie, living the dream.

hardpressed

Since retiring I've become a volunteer hospital car driver. I didn't want to tie myself down to regular hours so this suits me. They phone me when they need a driver in my area if I'm free I say yes, but if I can't do it I just say so and they don't mind. We are reimbursed at 40p per mile so are not out of pocket.

hethmar

Yes, this is the thing, you have to be careful you dont get into something thats just as stressful and requires as much commitment as your pre retirement job