Community Chat

[lynnie61]

@meallen616     I love this!  

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@meallen616 wrote:

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[vermint]

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@sissy01 wrote:

I would love to receive some suggestions and experiences from fellow retirees on moving forward with things to do, activities, volunteer opportunities etc. Thank you so much for any ideas 

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@sissy01 Learn to say "no"...people will try to fill up your time with all kinds of things! Go slowly, try one or two things and see if you like them. I've been retired for two years now, and have only committed to one "regular" thing...monthly meetings of my church's missions group. Otherwise, I'm more of an "event" girl--I'll get involved with a couple of yearly things. 

All I wanted when I was working for 48 years was to stay home, and take care of my house. So that's what I'm doing most of the time. But I know I need to get out and do other things once in awhile.

[juanitalinda]

@vermint

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@vermint wrote:

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@sissy01 wrote:

I would love to receive some suggestions and experiences from fellow retirees on moving forward with things to do, activities, volunteer opportunities etc. Thank you so much for any ideas 

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@sissy01 Learn to say "no"...people will try to fill up your time with all kinds of things! Go slowly, try one or two things and see if you like them. I've been retired for two years now, and have only committed to one "regular" thing...monthly meetings of my church's missions group. Otherwise, I'm more of an "event" girl--I'll get involved with a couple of yearly things. 

All I wanted when I was working for 48 years was to stay home, and take care of my house. So that's what I'm doing most of the time. But I know I need to get out and do other things once in awhile.

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@vermint wrote:

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@sissy01 wrote:

I would love to receive some suggestions and experiences from fellow retirees on moving forward with things to do, activities, volunteer opportunities etc. Thank you so much for any ideas 

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@sissy01 Learn to say "no"...people will try to fill up your time with all kinds of things! Go slowly, try one or two things and see if you like them. I've been retired for two years now, and have only committed to one "regular" thing...monthly meetings of my church's missions group. Otherwise, I'm more of an "event" girl--I'll get involved with a couple of yearly things. 

All I wanted when I was working for 48 years was to stay home, and take care of my house. So that's what I'm doing most of the time. But I know I need to get out and do other things once in awhile.

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@vermint wrote:

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@sissy01 wrote:

I would love to receive some suggestions and experiences from fellow retirees on moving forward with things to do, activities, volunteer opportunities etc. Thank you so much for any ideas 

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@sissy01 Learn to say "no"...people will try to fill up your time with all kinds of things! Go slowly, try one or two things and see if you like them. I've been retired for two years now, and have only committed to one "regular" thing...monthly meetings of my church's missions group. Otherwise, I'm more of an "event" girl--I'll get involved with a couple of yearly things. 

All I wanted when I was working for 48 years was to stay home, and take care of my house. So that's what I'm doing most of the time. But I know I need to get out and do other things once in awhile.

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@vermint wrote:

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@sissy01 wrote:

I would love to receive some suggestions and experiences from fellow retirees on moving forward with things to do, activities, volunteer opportunities etc. Thank you so much for any ideas 

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@sissy01 Learn to say "no"...people will try to fill up your time with all kinds of things! Go slowly, try one or two things and see if you like them. I've been retired for two years now, and have only committed to one "regular" thing...monthly meetings of my church's missions group. Otherwise, I'm more of an "event" girl--I'll get involved with a couple of yearly things. 

All I wanted when I was working for 48 years was to stay home, and take care of my house. So that's what I'm doing most of the time. But I know I need to get out and do other things once in awhile.

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I totally agree with the need to say 'no'.  I had no idea how many relatives, friends, neighbors, etc had suggestions on how I could spend my 'free' time.  It took me a while to realize that just because I was retired, I did not HAVE to be the designated chauffeur, babysitter, and errand runner for everyone who asked.  

[reiki604]

       Congratulations!!! Retirement is truly what you make of it so don't rush into anything. It took me about a year to simply decompress from the routine, stress and anxiety ofr going to work everyday. It's a big adjustment so be kind to yourself. About a year to the day that I retired, we took our first trip. We've been taking cruises 3-4 times a year as it's our preferred way to travel now. In between I've travelled alone with a company called Road Scholar.

      There is so much to do if you look for it. Check your local library and senior or community centers for classes and/or activities. I teach a Mah Jongg class once a week and do diamond paintting at my local library. I also do Senior visits (like spoken about in another thread) once a week. There are book clubs, discussion groups etc etc. 

      Just enjoy this chapter of your life and do what you enjoy, not what others say you should do. You will find your own way to simply have fun and cherish the life you have.

[Effie54]

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@twinny70 wrote:

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@Effie54 wrote:

Once we retired, the hubs and I try to take a long walk (or hike) every day to stay in shape ( and mobile). We go for drives to a nearby lake. And for myself, I'm a big advocate of volunteering at animal shelters. It's a wonderful opportunity to meet nice folks and help the animals get socialized and adopted. 

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@Effie54, our 19 y/o dgd volunteers at an animal shelter in Virginia Beach, VA. She just finished her first year in the NAVY and is in for a 6 Years term.  So far both of her dog's have been adopted.  She loves to walk the dogs.

Glenda

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@twinny70 Awww......that's wonderful! I'm sure she feels great about her accomplishments. I also love walking the dogs. You can almost feel their happiness in the way they enjoy their walks and outings. Great things! ❤️

[Goodie2shoes]

My advice is to just enjoy life, come and go as you please and do what you like. I retired in 2016, had worked for a insurance company for 16 yrs as a work comp nurse case manager, loved my job because I worked from home the last 4 yrs of my job from 8-4:30 5 days a week, no weekends or holidays. I was a nurse for a total of 50 yrs and I don't miss it a bit.  I have traveled to several states North, South, East and West.   Take care and enjoy your retirement !

[Eileen in Virginia]

As others have said, take your time to savor sleeping in and enjoying life at the pace you choose. I retired 14 years ago after a 30 year career with the Federal government with only a 3 month break for maternity leave being my longest absence from work. Since retiring, I've met some very good friends at our local swim club. When we're not at the pool, we get together during the off season for lunch, shopping sprees, etc. Although I knew I'd never go back to work, I thought I might volunteer at our local elementary school. That hasn't panned out, as I don't like to be held to anyone else's schedule. DH and I have traveled some, with our best trip being a trip to Hawaii, We also go to the gym several times a week, enjoy trying new places to eat, etc. The main thing is DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. Take time to decompress and explore what interests you. There's no rush - you're on Me Time now. Enjoy!

[LuvSoCal]

@sissy01 Congratulations on your retirement! I retired 9 yrs ago after turning 62. I would just say to stay as busy as you want to be. You know what they say...do whatever you want when you want. Try to get out of the house every day.  If you're anything like me Sunday will become your favorite day of the week realizing that you don't have to do a darn thing to get ready for the new work week. Have fun!

[CalminHeart]

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@sissy01 wrote:

I would love to receive some suggestions and experiences from fellow retirees on moving forward with things to do, activities, volunteer opportunities etc. Thank you so much for any ideas 

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I took care of my dad for 7 years until he passed this Christmas. I had more trouble adjusting to free time after that than after retiring.

• I joined a senior center.  I take yoga and fitness classes. I've gone to social activities, on bus trips, etc. It's a nice way to make new friends.
• A lot of charities are looking for help.
• Find a shelter and help serve a meal a few times a week.
• Help in your church parish.
• Food pantries always need help. 
• I make sure to go out with, or hand out with, my friends a couple times a week. 
• I read, walk my dog twice a day, sit on the deck and relax/read.
• My way to totally unwind is to mow the yard. I swear my brain goes into neutral while mowing, weedeating, gardening, etc. It's a total refresh for me. 

[Rockycoast]

Congratulations on your retirement! My husband and I Love it! The first thing we did was take a memorable trip. We went to Alaska to commemorate hubby’s retirement. So much fun! After the trip we did nothing for a bit than started on house projects that had been put off because we were working. We have both volunteered on town projects. We live in a beach town so walk the beaches frequently in the morning before the tourists start to come. We play golf, swim, go out with friends, garden and travel. We did all this before retirement on a limited scale, but now we have the time to do what we want whenever we want. Have a great retirement!