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Same story for me after I retired from a very fulfilling career. On my weekly list is volunteering at a local hospital, the ceramics, poker and garden clubs in my 55+ community, golf, golf lessons, reading and relaxing. On my "occasionally" list is symphony, plays, lunch/dinner with friends, casino, travel. Never a dull moment.
So far it looks like no one has to worry about retirement being boring. Maybe times have changed and that doesn't happen anymore? In the past, men got their status and identity from their career, and sometimes they died soon after retiring. That's what we've heard anyway. So maybe people have become aware of the danger of doing nothing?
It must be so easy for every type of personality to find interesting things to do. No matter how interesting we think our careers are, it's still the same old thing year after year, pretty much. I mean, if you work in technology your days are filled with technology. if you work in heath care, your days are filled with health care.
But if you don't need money, you don't have to do the same thing every day. I don't think anyone could make a good argument for the joys of working for money.
On the other hand, I think having to work for a long time can make us responsible and resourceful. So I think it's ok that most of us have to.
But when those "experts" try to convince you to work until 70, because working is good for you, just ignore them.
They built a "Sun City" retirement community, near where I used to live. A lot of "snowbirds" came down to retire in the warmth, and most got involved in the community- either politically and socially, or as volunteers. There were a lot of structured "activities" - swimming pool, golf, a ceramics shop, designated garden plots, even softball tourneys and a track course. Most folks talked about their 'active' lifestyle there. When Viagra hit the pharmacies, there were a lot more 'activities' like key parties.
While some of my friends were attracted to this lifestyle, we were not. (I and a former police chief-friend used to joke about what we would do in that self-policed community - growing our own in our designated plots, sitting on the porch with Led Zepplin wafting from the stereo in the house, and rolling blunts, waving at the passerby!) DH had worked all his life and was a respected FF/paramedic, also a brilliant mechanic. When he became severely injured, we had to think about where we were going and what we were going to do for the rest of our lives. So we packed up, sold out, and moved to a farm 1700 miles away. For the first two years after his massive surgeries, and being on a daily morphine dose, he did sleep most of the time, and sit in front of the TV, in pain and complaining about everything. But by moving to a farm that forced him into mobility again, he has regained his former workaholic attitude (even though the morphine wipes him out, makes him sleep at least twice a day). He is not able to do half as much as he used to but has taken over the animal care (cows, horse, and chickens) taught himself to cook, and we have bought him things to make his chores easier; like a 4-wheeler to ride the 60 acres, and a riding lawnmower, as well as a large shop for his woodworking and metal-working tools. He does small engine repair, wood repair, and sells eggs. I work part-time at the local school, but I take care of the garden and orchard, and have a ceramics shop (complete with two kilns and 100's of molds) in the basement, a sewing room upstairs. Both of us are more creative now than ever. Retirement "Sun City style" is just not in the cards for us.
I am semi-retired (working part time). During my adult life I found my jobs to be boring, but outside of work I am never bored. There is so much to do and see and learn, from the very simple to the very complex. I quit smoking one year ago and now that I can breath I find that I have much more energy! It's not just the body that needs exercise!
Same story for me after I retired from a very fulfilling career. On my weekly list is volunteering at a local hospital, the ceramics, poker and garden clubs in my 55+ community, golf, golf lessons, reading and relaxing. On my "occasionally" list is symphony, plays, lunch/dinner with friends, casino, travel. Never a dull moment.
Do you find that moving to a 55+ community made those activities easier or easier to find?
I'm in a bit of Limbo. While I was a seasonal employee, and thus have lots of hobbies, we are also hoping to sell our house this summer or early fall and then move far away. If thsat doesn't happen, then we will re-organize ourselves.
My wife retired from kindergarten teaching and I from school based mental health services on the same day and the same hour two days ago.
We're still adjusting to what we see ourselves as.... ;-)
I can see my husband adjusting much easier than I will. He is an only child and used to quiet type activities. He also likes watching TV. (a lot, I'm afraid).
I am more selective. I also like activities and being around people not that he doesn't. It's just that I have to initiate them. He also has a profession that he can take with him into semi-retirement.
We're not there yet but our lives (in my opinion) used to be more hectic. On top of work, we were dealing with relatives aging. Now, his dad is the only one left and we've kind of stepped back on that. I am seeing some signs (he is not) but I see some boredom developing for myself.
I kind of missed the party scene (he didn't) and I feel that I missed out on something sometimes. I was always working having to support this person or that one and now we find ourselves having to catch up.
I do like some solitary activities like reading. I am aware of this, though, and am keeping my eyes open. I am not a person who likes sitting in front of the TV at all. I watch it sometimes but I am selective.
I have read on here about making friends later in life and yes, that's a concern. We have some friends, acquaintenances, work contacts but I'm not yet at a point where I can call up a couple and ask them to go out to dinner.
Our children are in their 20's and usually, this is the point where they have serious relationships, marriage and grandchildren. In our case, that's not happening anytime soon - I'd say we have a good 10 years on that.
Maybe times have changed and that doesn't happen anymore?
But when those "experts" try to convince you to work until 70, because working is good for you, just ignore them.
They are still out there. My neighbor retired in her 50's from a state job and has told me she is bored. I responded with several suggestions including volunteering. Nothing appealed to her and her response to volunteering was that she wouldn't do something for nothing. She wanted a paid part-time job to relieve her boredom. It's not a mentality I understand. She has made comments that she can't believe how hard I work on my garden (changing bare hard-packed graveled dirt into garden beds.) As far as I know she is still bored.
I expect to work as long as I am able but not because it is good for me. I typically only get bored (and stressed out) at work. Not exactly a healthy combo.
Do you find that moving to a 55+ community made those activities easier or easier to find?
Much easier to find the ceramics, gardening and poker clubs inside the community. The volunteering, concerts and golf I found outside the community. But had I wanted to limit myself to the 55+ community, there are certainly enough things to do.
They are still out there. My neighbor retired in her 50's from a state job and has told me she is bored. I responded with several suggestions including volunteering. Nothing appealed to her and her response to volunteering was that she wouldn't do something for nothing. She wanted a paid part-time job to relieve her boredom. It's not a mentality I understand. She has made comments that she can't believe how hard I work on my garden (changing bare hard-packed graveled dirt into garden beds.) As far as I know she is still bored.
I expect to work as long as I am able but not because it is good for me. I typically only get bored (and stressed out) at work. Not exactly a healthy combo.
So what kind of person is she? How can anyone feel that life is boring, with all the millions of things there are to experience? Aren't there any books she has not read? Reading books alone could fill all her time. What about all the orphans and disabled people in institutions who would love to have company? What about all the different kinds of arts and crafts things some of us wish we had time for?
I would really like to know what goes on in the mind of someone who is free to do whatever they want (within their financial limits), but can't think of anything.
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It's not a mentality I understand. She has made comments that she can't believe how hard I work on my garden (changing bare hard-packed graveled dirt into garden beds.) As far as I know she is still bored. 
