Contrary to popular belief, retirement is not only about rest or relaxation. After all, your interests and objectives in life could change. The goals you have today could be very different from those you have in mind for retirement in a few years.
Besides, during retirement, you get to set the rules and change them as you see fit. It’s also time to pursue bigger dreams, especially since Australians are living longer and have more time on their hands.
For tips about the best retirement activities, consider the following and discover just how wide and varied your options could be. The sky’s the limit!
1. Do what makes you happy.
When you’re retired, living up to other people’s expectations shouldn’t be a concern. Now’s the time to prioritise your own happiness.
You have two options: take pleasure in the little things or go for broke. You can choose to live a life well lived or make a difference in your community by volunteering.
You could also grow your wealth doing what you love, such as writing a book or ebook about your field of expertise. You can also scale down your working hours and support yourself while pursuing your passion. A good example of this would be educational consulting or working as a part-time online teacher as opposed to teaching face-to-face full-time. Either way, it’s your happiness that matters.
2. Be your own boss.
Did you always want to start your own business? Why not do it now?
You could be good at something you never pursued because your job didn’t allow it. This could be an artistic pursuit like teaching music, painting or acting. It could also be something practical like carpentry, baking, automotive repair, embroidery or gardening.
Another way to be your own boss is to become a consultant or freelancer in your chosen field. Just make sure to not take on more work than you can manage so you can enjoy the financial rewards minus the stress.
3. Help others.
Volunteering is one of the most popular retirement activities. It’s not only about making a difference in other people’s lives. It also allows you to socialise and engage in meaningful activities that can enrich you — whether you’re volunteering at an orphanage, soup kitchen or some other establishment.
4. Take up a new hobby.
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the guitar, grow orchids, or join a book club. You can even enrol in a short course that you’ve always wanted — whether it’s about personal finance, photography, writing or something else.
What better time is there than now to gain new experiences and take up new hobbies you’ve always wanted to try but never had time for?
5. Spend time with your grandchildren.
If you want to spend more time with your grandchildren, retirement might be a fantastic time. You can learn about their dreams, and you can share your own experiences that they can get lessons from.
Being around kids can keep you youthful and energetic, and give your grandkids the chance to get to know you better and listen to fascinating stories or anecdotes about your own childhood.
6. Touch base with friends.
Stay social and go out, meet and travel with your friends. Lifelong friendships deserve your time. Nurture them because genuine friends are rare, and these are the people you can lean on at whatever stage in life you may be.
Don’t forget, these post-retirement activities are just the tip of the iceberg.
Make sure to explore others as you go along.
If this article has inspired you to think about your own unique situation and, more importantly, what you and your family are going through right now, please contact your advice professional.
(Feedsy Exclusive)
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstance before acting on it and, where appropriate, seek professional advice.