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I retired almost a year ago. At first there weren't enough hours in a day, as I explored my new freedom. I added a lot of outdoor activities, but that meant when winter came, it was harder to keep myself meaningfully occupied, I've never been much of a TV watcher and I'm still not interested in TV. I also learned that no one activity would be enough. I'd read that you can't retire expecting to play golf or go fishing every day, and I believe it's true. I was excited that I could read more and read a lot in the first few months, but I realized this winter that I can't read all the time either.
Many have mentioned volunteering, that seems like a great idea to me. If I get bored, I'd probably look for an encore career, something I enjoy doing, nothing like my first career (I loved what I did for 30 years, but it just got old after about 35 years).
I have no problem making friends, but I retired at 57, no one else I know near my age has been able to retire. And I haven't enjoyed the company of the 65+ crowd.
I exercise every day for about 45 minutes, and I enjoy that.
Reading How to Retire Happy, Wild & Free by Ernie Zelinski was helpful to re:boredom.
Only thing I can add, I knew before I retired that it would be good for me to become a serial joiner. If anything appeals to me, I join in, knowing that if I don't like it after all I can just quit. I've found some new friends and new activities just by joining several groups. Best of luck...
I read an interesting observation in a retirement magazine.
Someone asked why more retirement destinations in Montana are not on the magazine's list.
The editor said despite retirees insisting they enjoy outside activities in frigid states, the reality is in winter TV or boredom will occupy most days in winter.
I agree and getting away from Minnesota winters was the biggest reason for retirement re-location for me.
I am not retired as such, I am in the middle of selling my house and making a sea-change.
In the meantime, I am bored witless. As I'm not working I don't have a lot of money so expensive hobbies are out.
I don't have a lot of friends and those I do have are still working.
How do you deal with the BOREDOM???????? It's driving me insane....it's winter here as well which doesn't help.
I'm thinking of volunteering but until I get that underway...HELP!
Boredom between jobs, is much different than boredom in retirement. With the former, one tends to only consider temporary things with no lasting commitment required. With the latter, one can take their time, enjoy a variety of things ... and not worry so much about achieving one's ultimate employment and retirement-savings goals. (It's kind of like spending the last week of a two-week vacation getting ready to stop vacationing and go back to work).
Sounds like you are somewhat in 'limbo' (BTW, what is a "Sea Change" ... and 'When does winter end in Australia?
I got too many hobbies, activities and day to day life stuff to be bored. And one of my hobbies is meeting new people/potential friends (hint, hint).
My job sucks up what little spare time I have. Five years to retirement and then I gots 36 more hours a week to do stuff and relax.
Like you, I always had activities, hobbies, and interests while I was still working full time. So I didn't have any particular problems transitioning to retirement, especially as I continued to work some special projects three or four times a year for the next six years.
However, it is unfair for people like you and me to discount the problems of people who do not have these outside interests. Their problems of boredom are real, and they must work hard to create what comes naturally to us and what just seems like a given to us. It would be sort of like saying to a visually impaired person, "Well I have 20/20 vision with my glasses on, so I don't see what your problem is". Yes, I know, the analogy is not perfect because the visually impaired person absolutely cannot do anything about it (assuming they have been to eye doctors and followed the advice), whereas the bored-after-retirement person can change that situation. But you are not being fair about the very real difficulties of adopting an entirely different outlook and attitude towards life. Work used to fill some people's lives completely; there was little or nothing else. Give them some slack about the difficulty of what they are up against.
However, it is unfair for people like you and me to discount the problems of people who do not have these outside interests. Their problems of boredom are real, and they must work hard to create what comes naturally to us and what just seems like a given to us. >snip<. Give them some slack about the difficulty of what they are up against.
True.
My message/advice....work hard at it and you will be glad. Do it!
There are things that I am not good at...one of which is making friends. Yep. Despite my above post. I work hard at making new friends and have some success. Doesn't come easy for me. "Some" being the operative word here. But hey, how many friends do you need? The answer: enough. I have enough, but am always open to a new relationship. And trying new stuff.
Don't get old, people. Age like a fine bottle of wine!
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redwolf fan
Why in the world would anyone retire with out planning what they are going to do with their time ?
Ha, I will have to look back to see if ANYTHING has gone as per PLAN... since retirement.
Gotta be Flexible,
Gumby
(doing what I am, and WHERE I am, was not even on PLan Z, and I had MANY plans)
Boredom was certainly not any part of them.
The recent sale on Southwest Airlines completely changed my plans for the next 6 months. (but it will NOT be boring in the least).
Use each day as your last... in this stage of life, it very well may be (by many circumstances from kids / spouse / friend needing care... to kick'n-the-bucket or suffering a serious stroke.) I wish it were ez'r or even probable to "Live-as-plan', but never has been part of my life experience.
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