How to fill your time when retired

maggiesoup

Thanks everyone.  I have done volunteering so will probably go back to the shop I worked in as they are lovely. I've put together a daft list of stuff and was hoping that others could add to that, ie:

* Paid (or volunteer) dog walking
* Look at being an extra (Edinburgh is quite popular for filming)
* Take a different bus route every week and see where they go
* Take rail rides out of the city  (have a Senior Railcard) as above
* Upcycle stuff for home & garden
* Leaflet drop (walking & getting a little pocket money)
* Take advantage of Beauty & Hair students at local college, lots of treatments at a fraction of cost

A lot of people have suggested joining groups, which I'd like for the social element, so definitely going to check out a few.

If anyone can add anything else as the weeks continue, please do so and I'll dip in every day.

Thanks so far....  

theoretica

Talks - there are lots on offer by the libraries, museums, universities, societies...

Volunteering has been mentioned - I have been seeing ads for volunteers wanted helping children with reading, there may be a community place near you for upcycling/repairing/craft and helping other people learn how to do those. 

Community gardening/care of local green spaces.

Katiehound

No music on  your list!

I was going to suggest to join:

• a choir or choral society
• play an instrument- ukulele is popular (and easy)- probably a local group/class
• folk club or jazz club
• a musical appreciation society

go to concerts/ opera

If there is a catering college   there may be cheap dining options.
 I remember years ago friends used to have meals out when students had to work 'front of house' etc as part of the course- oh and scrumptious food!

ouraggie

There is a lovely Facebook group called Silver Friends, which I have recently joined. Started by a lovely lady, Pauline Vaughan during lockdown. Lots of members all round the country, mostly retired or semi retired. They organise local meet ups and various events. There are also events over Zoom, including a regular Coffee Chat and a Sunday evening chat. Have "met" some incredibly nice people. 

Skintoap

If you enjoy being outdoors, have a look for local “wombling” groups. People meet up and litter pick in local grot spots. It’s good exercise, very sociable, and most groups provide the necessary equipment. 

triplea35

My wife, who has been retired for some years, joined a local health club (£22.50 a month for daytime membership) and regularly goes to classes, Pilates and Aquafit.  Ages range from 50's to 80's and in addition to the exercise a very friendly social group has developed amongst the regulars.

Murphybear

We joined U3A when we stopped working.  We found lots of new bridge friends, joined quiz groups, played Scrabble, once a month lunch club and my 2 favourite brand new hobbies MahJong and croquet.  

There’s loads to do and you can make new friends 

[Deleted User]

Why this obsession to ‘fill your time’ and be forever busy? For me, semi retirement has allowed me to do what I want when I want including plenty of time of doing nothing productive,  which is so relaxing! 

With full retirement I’m looking forward to more of the same. Regular volunteering or a schedule for this or that simply doesn’t appeal at all. I will have spent about 41 years being ‘busy.’

Sea_Shell

[Deleted User] said:

Why this obsession to ‘fill your time’ and be forever busy? For me, semi retirement has allowed me to do what I want when I want including plenty of time of doing nothing productive,  which is so relaxing! 

With full retirement I’m looking forward to more of the same. Regular volunteering or a schedule for this or that simply doesn’t appeal at all. I will have spent about 41 years being ‘busy.’

I'm with you there!!!

I'm just not ready to go back to having to agree with others to be somewhere at a given time, on a given day.    

If I wanted to do that, I'd get a part time job again and get paid!!!


What I love is waking up, looking out the window, checking the weather and then deciding on my "schedule" for the day.   

I even baulk (a little) at having to book swimming sessions in advance - otherwise the limited places go - but at least the pool's not rammed!

Dragon_Lily

[Deleted User] said:

Why this obsession to ‘fill your time’ and be forever busy? For me, semi retirement has allowed me to do what I want when I want including plenty of time of doing nothing productive,  which is so relaxing! 

With full retirement I’m looking forward to more of the same. Regular volunteering or a schedule for this or that simply doesn’t appeal at all. I will have spent about 41 years being ‘busy.’

Same here.  I have two regular things in my weekly diary - swimming and Zumba and that's it.  I don't want to plan and fill everyday. I've found it's not necessary.  Some activities pop up while I'm doing other things.  I enjoy the days where nothing is planned 😊