Is retirement boring?

Sallyp2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82034958#Comment_82034958

I don't recall anyone wishing they had worked more and for longer on their death bed, go with the flow, retire and figure it out as you go

it's just the next lifestage

westv

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82037866#Comment_82037866

🤣

…….,,,.

diveunderthebonnet

When we retired we planned to travel more ,did not think it would be the doctors ,hospital , dentist etc. ok we are not that bad but as we are both in our 70,s we wondered how we managed to fit work in 😀.

We do enjoy foreign holidays ,gardening ,looking after the grandchildren but life is never boring .

cfw1994

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82038492#Comment_82038492

Have another 🤣

Hereford_Wolf

I’ve been retired for eight years. I wake up every day so thankful that I don’t have to work.

I can honestly say I’ve not been bored for one second. Retirement is great.

So many books to read, films to watch, games to play, walks to take, places to visit……………….

barnstar2077

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82041484#Comment_82041484

Sounds like you are living the dream!

This is how I think I will feel every day, thankful for making the right decisions that got me where I wanted to be.

It has got me thinking actually. Because I do want to retire so early, I feel like I should do something positive for others with at least some of that time. So I have decided to either volunteer, or to just do litter picking, DIY/gardening for local residents etc, one day a week. I feel like this will give me a structure for the week, a sense of purpose, and help to give me a clear conscience, and therefore peace of mind as I get older.

Smudgeismydog

I volunteer with a local group on a monthly basis, and most months they request additional help for specific projects. These have become a real highlight, and I’ve made some lovely new friends. I agree with @barnstar2077 in that they provide a sense of purpose and achievement.

barnstar2077

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82042311#Comment_82042311

That sounds very rewarding, and making new like minded friends is a bonus that shouldn't be overlooked once we have stepped away from seeing lots of people at work every day.

katejo

I am planning to do some sort of voluntary work but haven't committed myself yet. I did a 1 day course last autumn on volunteering in retirement and plan to look through my notes soon.

george_jetson

I think volunteering is key - I pulled the plug 18 months ago (after 35 years of shiftwork) and have just started volunteering at a NT property in an outdoor role (and have volunteered for a museum for about 10 years). I needed some time to take it easy but it's good to be doing something again.

I did enjoy my 18 months "decompressing" though and have built up some good habits - I'm on first name terms with the staff at my local swimming pool and library, go cycling most days and continue learning piano (I started this during COVID) It's not at all difficult to "fill the day" and I have never been bored.

As Wetherspoons' Tim Martin has said, the important thing is to avoid SOYA - ("sitting on yer a***") - as long as you're able, get out of the house and do something