What to do with all your time?

GSP

People certainly hibernate more during the Winter. There’s more watching the TV and getting out of bed a bit later. It can also be a bit depressing if there are periods without much sunlight.

Leading up to Christmas is a good distraction though, and the build up seems to start earlier each year. It’s also a good time to plan holidays, plan for next year, the future, time to reflect.

I personally like the 4 seasons, either at times that’s not what we receive, but time does seem to go quick and Spring seems to follow Winter more quickly nowadays.

Linton

2X OU degrees

Nebulous2

I think I'm in a better position to answer this than I was even 3-4 months ago.

I retired over 2 years ago, quickly decided I wasn't ready, and took a part-time job. I've spoken on here before about talking to a retired health professional who came back to help during the pandemic, who told me, when you retire you tend to drift. I wanted to avoid drifting - however given I've done a bit of that most of my life, it will be difficult to avoid. 

I've cycled seriously for over 10 years, doing some long-distance endurance stuff, however it hasn't quite happened for me since I retired, and following an accident last year I've lost my enthusiasm. I've always taken photos, bought a decent camera when I retired, and intended to take that seriously. Somehow it hasn't hit the spot either, despite taking around 11,000 photos in two years. We are fairly solitary, spending time with family more than friends, and have some caring responsibilities that have the potential to grow. We have two dogs, and getting people to care for them when we fly on holiday can be a challenge. There are some willing family members, but they all have their own lives and responsibilities. 

We caravan quite a bit, but I've fallen out with caravan club because they have completely lost control of their budget, with site fees having doubled since before the pandemic, and they are making no effort that I can see to rein in their costs. I've also taken a dislike to the winter, trudging around in the dark and rain with the dogs is annoying me much more than it used to when I was working. 

That paints a picture of dissatisfaction and being lost, that I'm aware doesn't look good, however recently it feels as though things have clicked into place.

I joined a gym on retiring and attendance was sporadic, but in the last 3 months or so I've developed a routine and it has become much more regular. I think that physical exercise has been key to improving my mood. I'm making tentative steps to get back on the bike, intend to use a turbo-trainer over the winter and get back doing some decent rides next year. 

We've previously camped and caravanned extensively in France, though we were limited by work to 2 or 3 weeks at a time, and I've made up my mind to book a ferry next year and spend a couple of months in France, which was previously part of our retirement plans, but a combination of different things, caring responsibilities, the pandemic, and Brexit rules, particularly around dogs, put us off. My ongoing battle with the Caravan Club provides some additional impetus for that.  That means giving up my job, but in the past couple of months I've sometimes found it difficult to fit it in, and am beginning as many people say, to wonder how I found time to work full-time. I have a rudimentary school-boy grasp of French, did it to O' level standard and have used it when holidaying over the years. I've always intended to improve it and have started with Duolingo, but have also found some French classes nearby I will probably join. 

We've had some renovation projects in mind that I've been putting off, but we are starting with that, and I'm finding myself quite enthusiastic about seeing it progress. 

As a teenager and young adult I was an avid reader, but gave it up, partly because I was concerned it was taking up too much of my life. In recent years I've read a lot of news and internet forums, but very few books. Recently I've begun to read books again and am really enjoying that. 

We've also been taking the bus to have some boozy afternoons in the pub, having something to eat a few drinks, then wending our way home again. Being able to do that guilt-free has been great. 

We've been foraging to make jam and chutney, which has been surprisingly pleasing. I'm also developing more of an interest in, and pleasure in, my surroundings than I can remember before. The beauty in flowers, and excitement in spotting and watching unusual birds, like kingfishers and treecreepers, has caught me unawares.

All-in-all the last 3 months feel as if I've finally developed a way ahead and I'm finding there is life after work. 

Scallypud

I retired last August and was totally bored and fed up after 6 months. Now back at work

Eldi_Dos

Albermarle said:

Strange that in these kinds of threads, nobody ever seems to mention the supposedly traditional pastimes of the retired ( men anyway) . Such as golf, fishing, bowls, going to the pub etc.

    That's because those that do these activities are out doing them.

cfw1994

Scallypud said:

I retired last August and was totally bored and fed up after 6 months. Now back at work

Has this thread given you any ideas that you hadn’t explored, or do you feel your work will always be your “hobby”?

Some interesting comments, & some perhaps proving that you do need a plan to feel your time after work is valuable!

We both agree with the comment about filling the 21 slots being very easy, & on that seminar a fella on our table scribbled “golf, golf, golf” all over his (!), but I suspect a bigger percent in the room hadn’t really though about it, so that is one tool people can use 🤷‍♂️

I should perhaps add that I also appreciate caring time can be potentially onerous but also massively valuable.  MIL passed last June, & not working gave us time to spend with her in the last few years: you can’t get those hours back later.
Similar with helping offspring: one of ours has moved every year for the past 7 (uni, grad placement rotations!), & being able to help ease some stress in those moves is also a pleasure 😎👍

Albermarle

I should perhaps add that I also appreciate caring time can be potentially onerous

If one has caring responsibilities and a full time job, then this tends to give little free time for you. Retiring means that although the caring responsibilities are still restrictive, more free time is available, so a good reason to retire ( if you can afford it) in this situation. Another point is that, depending on your situation, you retiring can also give a partner more free time for themselves,  so maybe reducing any marital/family pressures.
On the other hand if you are both at home most days it might increase the pressures 

I think what I am trying to say is that retirement is not always simply just about deciding to stop work, and then trying to fill your days, but can also be driven by personal circumstances and have an effect on them. That will be more important for some people, than how much cycling or fishing they can slot in, or how bored they might get.

tealady

Between voluntary work, reading, TV, walking (ambling rather than rambling), visiting friends, arranging for workmen to do stuff,  shopping (I dont drive), museums, and keeping customers fed at my bird table there's just enough time for eating and sleeping!
Winters tend to be the worst times, but on a bright cold day a walk can be exhilarating. 
Libraries can be a good source of things to do (just look at the book shelves on "hobbies" . Also look at their notice boards.
If you like dogs then voluntary dog walking could be one idea (charities such as the Cinnamon Trust).
Personally I dont know when I ever found time to go to work!
HTH

Johnnyy_Boy

I guess it’s one of my fears of not knowing what to do with myself if I retire. Just turned 68 and am on a sort of rolling one year contract when at the end they pay me an agreed sum but have just renewed it for the last 3 years and likely too again. Ultimately I quite enjoy the job and more importantly the people I work with. Would feel strange no longer seeing them every day.

No real hobbies aside from watching sport. Potentially I could look to start playing golf again but it would mean starting somewhere completely new to me and I can’t myself doing that. 

I guess you just worry about it all when it happens. 

Beddie

Johnnyy_Boy said:

I guess it’s one of my fears of not knowing what to do with myself if I retire. Just turned 68 and am on a sort of rolling one year contract when at the end they pay me an agreed sum but have just renewed it for the last 3 years and likely too again. Ultimately I quite enjoy the job and more importantly the people I work with. Would feel strange no longer seeing them every day.

No real hobbies aside from watching sport. Potentially I could look to start playing golf again but it would mean starting somewhere completely new to me and I can’t myself doing that. 

I guess you just worry about it all when it happens. 

It's great that you have a job you still like going to, with people you obviously regard as friends. Many of us don't have that. I did once, in my 20s and 30s. I'm sure there will come a time when you feel it's right to stop, but until then, enjoy going to work and having purpose.