What do you do all day?

moneyistooshorttomention

Oh yes...certainly counting all the pluses of not having to get up at crack of dawn (whether I like it or no), go out in the weather (whatever its like), to a job I absolutely loathed, no fears that any spot of illness might affect my income for the worse, etc, etc.

No gainsaying that one at all.....

But I've still got my eyes open personally for "summat that would suit me with a sense of purpose". I'm not a lot of good at "doing nothing" personally I must admit...

Am doing my best to "think positively" that I might get a suitable opportunity arise and reminding myself that my life has often gone round in a circle of Quiet Times to Busy Times - so I must be due for a Busy Time (but this time of my choosing).

Eyes and ears open to see what the Universe comes up with - and I do have an idea what I'd like it to come up with...so we'll see.

An estimated 20 odd years to go feels to me like an awful long time to just "do what I want/when I want"...:cool: - though I'm trying hard to "be grateful" for that chance.

lessonlearned

Money - I could live another lifetime and it still wouldn't be long enough to see and do everything on my bucket list.

I'm sure inspiration will come to you in its own good time.;)

lessonlearned

Another thought........

Don't fear a long retirement, embrace it.

As the old saying goes "growing old is a priveledge that many are denied".

As both mine and Kittie's late husband's could testify.......

Did you get chance to google that website "sixtyandme". There are some very inspirational articles on there. Also try "thestylecrone" or "advancedstyle". Whilst they are fashion based what does come over is how vibrant, alive and interesting these women are. The contributors are interested in everything, not just fashion. They lead happy, fulfilled and busy lives. I'm sure you will find inspiration on there.

I once worked as a manger in a sheltered housing complex. The people who lived the longest healthiest lives wereThe ones who followed their hearts and their passions. Some of them were still very active campaigners. My oldest lady was 98 and a fearsome campaigner, very political.

When thinking about life after retirement I am often reminded of an article I once read by Joan Collins. She said that life was like a three act play and just like in the theatre the third act is always the best, the dramatic highlight of the play.

Gers

What I've done so far today is to sit on the internet waiting to book ticket for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' for next year. Great booking system actually, I logged onto it and got a message that there were 28, 678 ahead of me - so I sat tight and watched the countdown. Over an hour it took me but I got tickets for next December!

I like to go to London at least once a year, if only to remind myself that I don't like the place. This year I went in May and saw 'Matilda' with some family members - really enjoyed that visit. I'm off there again in two weeks time and will have dinner with some old friends.

Life in the sticks is really good though a dose of sparkling lights is good for the soul, now and then.

As for today - there's a dishwasher to empty! :j

duchy

lisa110rry wrote: »

Wow the wartime diaries project sounds fascinating, wish I could assist! I have a remarkable ability to read others' handwriting, people in my firm use me to that end when they can't make out handwriting. Any chance for someone who lives up north and has some room in their working days? (My days are up and down in terms of busy-ness, currently in my slack period which will certainly change on 1/11.)

It's probably worth contacting places locally that have archives- Cathedrals, Historic Homes etc and asking. Often they are crying out for people . If you have a local history society that's often a good place to find out too.

missbiggles1

Katiehound wrote: »

Have a simply wonderful time. Be yourself, talk to everyone and anyone- go without any preconcieved ideas! Above all have fun, and yes look on it as one of the first of many many adventures.(And if you findthis particular holiday doesn't tick the boxes then look for something different next time.)

Those two points may well not go together.

catkins

I am 61 and stopped working just over 3 years ago, partly because of illhealth. I suffer from chronic migraines so sometimes can spend up to 3 days at a time in bed, literally unable to get up.


My good days are probably boring to a lot of people but I like to get up early, get showered and dressed and check my emails, online banking etc.


I then usually walk my dog for at least an hour, longer if the weather is nice. Then home to do some housework which involves hoovering every day (dog and cat!) upstairs and down. Then maybe washing and a bit of ironing. I try and have a bit of a routine - one day a week I change the bed and give the bedroom a good clean, one day give the bathroom and toilet a good clean, another day the downstairs.


After lunch I might give the dog another walk depending on the weather. Otherwise I will read, watch something I have recorded, surf the internet (mainly this website), listen to music, do some sort of puzzle (crossword, logic, suduko etc) or maybe do some cooking. I usually like to at least prepare the evening meal before OH gets home.


Evenings me and OH try and go to the cinema once a week and we also walk the dog together. Other than that our evenings are usually spent watching tv or a dvd.


OH still works full time although he is self employed so his hours can vary. He has another 8 years before he can retire.


I do spend most of the day alone although when I walk my dog I always talk to people, but it doesn't bother me. I like my own company. I have thought about volunteering or joining some sort of club but it seems silly if I am happy. I did go a couple of times to a local church coffee morning but I found all the others there were quite a bit older than me and, to be honest, we seemed to have nothing in common whatsoever. I have always got on better with younger people


I don't drive and the bus fares are quite expensive (won't qualify for a bus pass for almost another 5 years) so am a bit restricted in that respect. I do usually go into my local town once a week and have a look round the shops, buy anything I need from shops like Pound Shop, Home Bargains and have a sandwich and coffee in Pret.

moneyistooshorttomention

I would say that married women (and men obviously as well) need to be aware that, as I see it, there will be a gap if they are left widowed and not be too dependant on company of a husband. I'm sure there are others on this thread who would know that fact much better than me....

I think its worth persisting with trying out different social groups until you find one that suits. Some will be "duds"...and some will work out.

I've had varying degrees of success in different groups to date and tend to regard a group as being/having been worth it if I get one extra friend to add in from it. So - Welsh class was a waste of time of itself (as I've decided not to continue learning it) BUT worth it because I got 2 good friends from it (ie people in same circumstances - recent incomers in same age group as myself etc etc).

Another social group I've started going too recently is proving well worthwhile - as we enjoy ourselves at it and we're now branching out from there and forming groups for "girls nights out" sometimes. I've got one lined-up personally during the week that several of us are definitely going to and I think probably a couple of others will turn up too. Someone brand new that walked into the last session and I promptly invited her to turn up at it too if she wanted to. That particular social group is currently expanding and expanding and we are noticing more people at it each week at the moment. So that's certainly proving a very useful resource for me personally - being a group that focuses around individual people (which is the sort of social life I'm used to being available personally) and so its very useful to have in an area like I'm in now (which is incredibly family-centred).

My mind is currently working around how to add male friends (not of the "boyfriend" type - just friends who happen to be male) into the mix in this sort of area. I'm used to having 50/50 male and female friends and this feels like an area where there isn't that same expectation of having opposite sex friends. I'll need to give that one some thought...and am wondering about deliberately targeting a social group I know of that men predominate in and that might help "provide the balance".

[Deleted User]

I bought myself a fitbit because I want to be aware of my pulse rate and also because I often just stand and potter all day. Day two and my heart rate is a good steady rate and has been over the two days, step rate is also surprisingly good, take today so far, up and down stairs, pottering back and forth in the house, walking out to post a letter and back and forth socialising at a small event in the village. It is utterly amazing how it all adds up. This is the first sit down for me since breakfast at 6 .30

Re sleep, well sometimes, like many of my age, I think I don`t sleep enough but yes last night I had 7 hours and 33 minutes with one time to get up (loo) and five times restless and I was aware of turning over when my shoulder started aching and it is all there on my fitbit dashboard. Now this is one big incentive to me, I don`t need to get out I can just do the steps on my rebounder upstairs, I am aiming for my first fitbit (virtual) badge and I can make that happen today

I saw these recommended on a site for older people as an incentive to keep moving and yes I do believe it will be an incentive for me, especially now that the allotment is almost ready for its winter sleep

Gers

Thanks for the info about Fitbit Kittie. My mother already has a Fitbit One but the new 'Charge' one will be better for her needs as she wants to check out her heart rate - she sometimes gets bouts of AF - so I've ordered one for her Christmas.

I've got a Fitbit One too and have noticed that when driving in car steps are registered so I take it all with a pinch of salt though it is a good device. You may like to read about the American broadcaster David Sedaris and his Fitbit story. It's a tad extreme!

I also found a very gentle 3 minute exercise video which is easy to do yet good for me.

Today I've sent an enquiry about a week on Orkney for next summer doing an archaeological tour of main island. Hope they can give me a place.