Leisure / Recreation
What to do in Retirement: Creating your own unique list of things to do when you retire
With retirement come so many opportunities to do those things that you simply didn’t have time to do while you were working. But now is the time!
Rather than waiting for activities to find you, or just doing stale, run of the mill activities, let’s explore and uncover the endeavors that resonate best with you and your personal retirement.
Think about it
What comes to mind when you think about things to do in retirement? Is it days of playing tennis doubles then dining at the country club? Is it quiet afternoons painting with watercolors before watching the sunset with a glass of Chablis in your hand? Is it people-watching in the park most mornings after buying your favorite latte at the coffee shop?
The stereotypical retirement that we see in the media involves a lot of golf with an occasional cruise to the Caribbean. But what if these are not the activities that resonate with you? Perhaps it’s too hot out to play golf – or you just don’t like it — and a cruise is out because you are prone to seasickness. Then trying to live out this retirement would not be a good fit for you! Plus, how many times each month can you really do those things?
I encourage every reader to invest some time into considering their own interests, temperament, values and goals, then creating a list of retirement activities that are in alignment with who they are. If you do this, the list you make will become the cache of ideas for you to draw upon each day, and the way you spend your time will be a gratifying and genuine reflection of you.
To plan or not to plan
I sometimes hear from people who feel that planning their time is contrary to their notion of retirement; they feel like the whole point of retirement is about not having to plan their time anymore. After all, isn’t retirement like winning the jackpot and gaining 40 to 50 hours or more of free, unstructured time each and every week?
Yes and no. Yes, you gain those abundant hours, but unless the hours are ordered and spoken for, then they tend to slip away in meaningless endeavors that simply kill time. Not many people said “spending a lot of time watching tv” was among the things they looked forward to doing in retirement, yet that is the activity that consumes 8-10 hours of most retirees’ days. Not being selective with one’s time and letting many hours evaporate is the result of not having a plan, while having a plan can lead to a good return at the end of a day.
Check this out: Studies show that those who take time to plan their days in retirement report greater satisfaction from their retirement than do non-planners. Yep, the planners like their retirements better and are happier than those who don’t bother to plan.
The great television news anchorman Walter Cronkite said in his later years “I haven’t got the hang of this retirement thing. I wanted to have more time to play and reflect, but I find retirement more stressful than having a nice, steady job because I have to make decisions about where I want to be.” He found that it was much easier to function in accordance with the structure of a job, than it was to function when there were few mandates on his time and presence. Once he began to bring daily structure back to his days by planning them, Mr. Cronkite found retirement to be more manageable and significantly more satisfying.
Psychological malaise
Many retirees report having feelings of stress, listlessness and dissatisfaction which often originate in not being proactive in figuring out what to do in retirement. These feelings are part of what is known as “psychological malaise,” which is essentially a funk that is hard to shake off.
Malaise can stem from several causes, but a common source is not taking time to create a retirement, complete with customized activities, that meets one’s personalized needs and wants.
The key to avoiding malaise is stepping up and being proactive in your retirement, instead of letting it morph into something you don’t really want it to be.
I know an 87 year old man named Richard who found himself on the lean end of activities a few months back. He knew at that time he was vulnerable to sliding into the doldrums, or malaise, so what did he do? He decided to learn how to play the piano and asked his caretaker to reach out on Facebook to arrange a teacher. He also remembered how much he enjoyed playing bridge in his younger years, so he called up some fellow octogenarians to invite them to play. He now takes piano lessons every Wednesday and plays bridge each Monday and Thursday. Richard explained to me that it took some thought to figure out what was missing in his retirement, then it took some courage to act on the solution, but he shares that it has been well worth the effort.
Crafting Your Customized Retirement
A generic, “one-size fits all” solution to retirement does not exist. Your retirement is likely not made up of beginner piano lessons and bridge games. Nor is it likely golf and Caribbean cruises. Only you know what will bring you joy and satisfaction. So have courage, and be proactive by discovering your finest, customized options to solve the issue of what to do in retirement. The rest of this article will help you compile a very attractive list of activities and endeavors that will help define what a balanced and ideal retirement looks like for you — not your neighbor, or even your spouse, but you! For this to work, you’re going to need to get out some paper and a pen and jot down your ideas as you read along.
Big ticket vs everyday
When folks are first challenged to create a list of activities for retirement, many begin with the high-end, big ticket endeavors such as “take a riverboat cruise down the Danube” or “enjoy pina coladas in the Caribbean”. Such events are wonderful and should, in fact, be planned if it is reasonable to do so and if finances support such choices. [To read more about managing one’s finances and choosing commensurate activities during retirement, click here.]
But some people mistakenly think that big events such as these are the essence of retirement. I would like to go on record and say that I entirely disagree. Research concludes that while big events can bring fun and excitement, the deepest satisfaction and joy come from the everyday activities that are readily available. As I have stated in my post on finances in retirement, walks around the block on brisk autumn mornings and splashes in the rain with the grandkids are usually the types of activities that engender the warmest feelings and are recalled most fondly. So plan some big ticket events, but please don’t stop there. You will miss out on the true riches to be found in retirement if you do.
At this time, begin your list of retirement activities by writing down 1 to 3 big event activities that you have looked forward to doing in retirement and that are in keeping with your financial situation.
Once you have written those down, we will move on to the everyday endeavors that carry so much importance: the ones that fill in all the in-between times with rich and rewarding things to do.
Consider your temperament
One of the key elements in planning a well-balanced and customized existence in retirement is to consider your temperament. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Do you find the most satisfying experiences to be those when you are alone being creative, or when you are with others bouncing around ideas within lively conversations?
If you are introverted, then you will likely gravitate more toward solitary activities, which is great since that is your 
“bent,” or nature. Take a little time to make a list of 7 or 8 activities that resonate in this way with you. But now I challenge you to also add 3 or more activities that are more group-oriented. While introverts thrive on “alone time,” they also benefit from being around others, with the infusion of ideas that comes from others adding new dimensions to their solitary projects.
Similarly, if you are extroverted, make a list of 7 or 8 activities that you think you will really enjoy that involve being around others. Then add 3 or more activities that are more solitary. This is essential, because extroverts are often reliant on others to help them achieve a sense of well-being. However, it is important for extroverts to have “alone” activities that can also engender a sense of well-being, since other people are not always available to help a person achieve that end.
Validate your values
When creating a list of viable activities for retirement, it is helpful to consider what it is that you value. What is important to you? Is it time with family, saving the environment, building wealth, helping distant cultures combat hunger, or promoting the fine arts? Perhaps it’s increasing adult literacy, teaching good habits in personal finance, political activism, or meditative prayer.
Really consider the things that matter to you, the things that you are passionate about. Perhaps you never had time before now to act on these passions, but now you do. To your growing list of activities, add 2 or perhaps 3 activities that involve contributing in some way to the causes that you care about and value.
These added activities tend to involve giving back to the community, and often become part of our legacy. By doing activities that go beyond us and our own pleasures, we give of our time in ways that have results that last longer than we do. [For more information on leaving a legacy, click here.]
Add gusto to your goal
When choosing activities during retirement, it is wise to consider our main goals in life. A woman I know is very clear about her ultimate goal, which she says is to go to heaven. She is then careful to choose activities that support this goal. Although she is very involved with her family and the academic community, she first and foremost makes sure to set aside an appropriate amount of time to attend church, do spiritual reading, say her daily prayers, and tend to the needy. She says that if she were to let these activities fall by the wayside, she would feel an imbalance within herself, as she would not be choosing activities in line with her ultimate goal.
What is your ultimate goal? Is it similar to the example above, or vastly different? I realize that I am posing a small question with big ramifications. Ponder this one a bit, then decide what your main goal in life is, and choose 3 to 5 activities that support your ultimate goal.
Your list of activities for retirement should be getting rather lengthy at this point, perhaps 18 items or so long. But we are not done yet.
R & R: Rest and relaxation
Rest and relaxation are essential items to have in your cache of activities to do in retirement. Up until now I have discussed action-based choices to have on your activities list. But retirement is not all about being hyper-active, nor should it be.
One of the rewards of retirement is being able to take time to be still, and to re-create with some “down time.” While 
too much downtime results in lethargy and reduced motivation, the right amount allows us to re-fuel and refresh.
Write down 5 ways of being quiet and still that will bring rest and relaxation to your soul. Some common choices are: watching a favorite TV show, taking a nap in the backyard lounge chair, walking around the block at a leisurely pace, calling a friend or family member, and reading the next chapter of a current novel.
Just keep in mind that resting when rested is questionable at best. So, rest when you need to, then challenge yourself to take up one of the other activities in your cache to stay productive in enjoyable and meaningful ways.
Recreation
Some activities available to retirees can be classified as pure recreation. These are activities that are not intended to save the world, or to promote our values. They are, instead, simply an enjoyable break from the everyday. They are also not the same as the restorative, down-time activities, as they are typically more active than taking a nap or reading a book. Recreation-based activities often look like golfing, fishing, or traveling.
One thing to keep in mind about recreational activities is that they often don’t have much merit beyond 
entertainment and pleasure, and they can be said to be person- or self-centered. Some people make their whole retirement existence about these types of activities, but I encourage you to keep these activities as only part of your activities cache. Entertaining ourselves for a time with amusement is fine and restorative, but doing only that means that golden opportunities for something more meaningful are pushed away.
Write down 5 recreational activities that will provide a nice break to you in a fun and enjoyable way.
Giving back
While the recreational activities were all about engaging in activities for our own amusement and entertainment, this next category of activities is not. These will be activities that we do where our enjoyable endeavors and efforts reap returns that benefit others as well as ourselves.
I’ll start with an example: Most people agree that traveling in retirement is a great, recreational endeavor that is highly enjoyable. But consider the fact that when that traveler passes on from this life, the memories made and sights seen will go into the ground with them. Instead of only pouring memories and experiences into ourselves, let’s look into activities that are a benefit to both ourselves and to others after we are gone.
There is a wonderful lady I know who has been involved with the public speaking club Toastmasters for nearly two decades. Laurie is an excellent speaker and has won many awards, but she doesn’t limit her involvement in this activity to her own interests. She spends a good amount of time weekly helping others “learn the ropes” of the Toastmasters meetings, and assists them through her attentive encouragement to reach their goals and overcome their fears of public speaking. In addition to Toastmasters, Laurie is involved in “Master gardening” and assists many fledgling gardeners in their early attempts to bring botanical beauty to their homes and communities.
As you can see from this example, Laurie has chosen activities in retirement that serve not only herself and her own pleasures, but she also uses her interests to serve others, as well. It truly becomes a win-win situation for Laurie and those around her. The experiences and memories of each activity are multiplied numerous times over.
In other examples of giving back, I have heard of a gentleman who likes to work with wood, and uses that activity to build small bookcases and other pieces of furniture. He then sells the items at fair-wage costs and donates the proceeds to a non-profit charity. Similarly, there are groups of women who use their enjoyment of knitting to create tiny hats for premature babies at the local hospital. Others sew “comfort blankets” which police officers carry in their vehicles for the times when a child is involved in a call and needs calming.
While it may seem that this category is the same as when we were discussing working activities into our values, there is a difference. In that discussion I had you think about a cause, then choose activities that support your interests in that cause. In this category, I am encouraging you to think about what activities you most enjoy, and then figure out ways to expand its influence so others can benefit as well.
Please think about your interests and abilities that you can engage in to share and benefit others. Now, write down on your list 1 or 2 activities that are enjoyable to you, but that also can add value to other people.
Fitness – Mind and Body
The final category of activities that should be in your cache are those that promote fitness.
Any list that is dominated by sedentary endeavors is not a well-rounded one. Remembering the mantra “use it or lose it,” consider physical fitness-based activities that you have enjoyed in the past, are doing now, or think you might like to try out in the future. Write down 3 or more activities that get you up and moving and are of benefit to your heart, muscles, flexibility, and balance.
It is important to consider mental fitness, as well. What is it that stimulates your mind and challenges your problem-solving abilities? A brain that is too passive is like a body that is too still, meaning it will decline more quickly than one that is kept active and strong. Think of 3 or more activities that you feel would challenge and sharpen your mental capacities and add them to your list.
Get it in writing!
If you have participated in this discussion about what to do in retirement, you should be holding in your hands a list of approximately 35 things to do in retirement that resonate well with your temperament, your values, and your goals. The list should include restful activities, recreational endeavors, and activities that give back in some way to those around you. There should also be several activities that are designed to keep you physically and mentally fit and healthy. If you have made a genuine effort and put some thought in to it, your list should be a genuine and unique reflection of you, and one that is balanced and gratifying.
To put this list into action, I encourage you to choose at least 5 items from the list and write them down into a 
calendar planner. Yep, right now, choose a day and time when you will do each of those five things from the list. Getting it onto paper with a scheduled day and time will move the items on your list from being just good intentions toward being accomplished and enjoyed tasks and experiences.
For the folks who are more spontaneous with life and don’t like the idea of scheduling out their time, I would suggest the following practice. Complete your list of retirement activities as discussed, then write down 10 or more of your identified activities on slips of paper, and put them into a deep basket. Pull out an activity each day and go with whatever is pulled for that day. Didn’t know you were going for a hike and a picnic? Well now you do, so pack those sandwiches and cinch up your hiking shoes!
A final note:
A retiree who creates an activities list for himself or herself is miles ahead of the retiree who waits around for whatever activities come their way. Such random activities are not likely to be a magically good fit, so the person who bothers to plan activities that work well for them are ensuring that success in retirement is much more likely. (I think Mr. Cronkite would be proud!)
Lastly, I advise all people in retirement to revise the list every two to three years, since everyone’s interests and abilities change over time, just as it did when we were in our youth. Adding activities that are of current interest, and striking off the list the activities that one is no longer interested in or able to do means the list stays relevant and full of life-enhancing endeavors.
Questions to ask yourself as you create your customize list of activities to do in retirement:
Who am I? Do I like to do things with others, or do I prefer to do things by myself?
What have I participated in in my former years? Might I like to try those activities again?
What are the values that I am passionate about? What activities can I do to tap into those passions?
What is my life-goal? How can I achieve fulfillment of that life-goal?
How do I best like to enjoy my down-time? What are the activities and behaviors that relax me?
What do I like to do purely for amusement and recreation?
What talents and skills do I have that I might enjoy sharing with others?
How do I plan to keep my body and mind fit? What challenges me physically and mentally that I would enjoy doing?
Have I written down at least 5 activities into my calendar to get accomplished in the upcoming days and weeks?
Please share any thoughts or ideas you have about leisure, recreation, and activities during retirement in the comments section on this page