Planning to Live in Retirement Edition 6: New to Me Activities
I've already shared I'm going to try and write more in retirement. It'll be good mental energy plus a way to positively fill hours no longer working a paid job. I know though I'll need other hobbies and activities to keep my life full.
Recently the parks department in our county put out a survey for forming walking groups, asking about best days and times. Scary, but one of the parks had an attempted and then sadly, a sexual assault, so I'm leery of walking alone in any place that has isolated spots. I'm sure this is partial in response to those attacks, but also what a great way to build community.
I'd like to get in on the pickleball craze. One of our city courts was upgraded, and converted 1/2 the tennis courts to pickleball ball. I know nothing of the rules but see there's community ed classes I could try this spring and maybe find other newbies. My knee isn't fully pickleball ready but maybe by spring.
My daughter has found some cute pieces of furniture dirt cheap, and updated them for her home. I'd like to tackle a few projects as well. So the new activity could be two parts, seek the piece at yard sales, thrift stores, marketplaces, then the update. The found items could be used in my house, or any of my kids places should they want, or I could just try and resell. I wouldn't even care about making any money if the process was enjoyable. Here's one of my daughter's projects, purchased for $10. It's so her now!
.jpg) |
| Before |
.jpg) |
| After |
My dresser and night stand could be first projects this spring. They were my husband's second hand set he had as a teen, then I painted black to modernize about 25 years ago. They either need a new fresh coat of black, or maybe a new color. What's great about both is that they are generic enough to not be dated and solidly built, not the crap so often in furniture stores now. My kitchen table and chairs that I turned from country farmhouse to modernish black and browns need repainting too. Though it's only been 6 years, they get a lot of wear and tear so paint wore on parts of the table and the chairs. This was not expensive, but the quality is better than the equivalent new.
I've never been a gardener but feel that in my retirement learning and doing will be a necessity. I'd like to take a class or two on art, literature, or cultures different from my own. I want to bike ride again. I want to pick up my camera, or maybe figure out the bells and whistles of my husband's camera. Basically, I want to nurture my mind and body.
I don't feel like I'm trying to reinvent myself, just trying to identify things to try I never took or had the time to learn or get better at. No offense to my mother-in-law or others that enjoy her kind of social life, I'm not looking to have multiple card clubs, Bible studies, or church circles. I'll keep up with reading and book clubs, the girls poker nights, and my too rare cooking dates with my mom friends. I'm looking for more options that will expand my interests.
Love your approach: "trying to identify things to try I never took or had the time to learn or get better at." What a good starting point. That goes right with your other spot-on comment: "I want to nurture my mind and body." Great foundational starting points.
ReplyDeleteI know I've been living a very just surface life for the past two years. I need to figure out how to invest my time, whether two more years or thirty-two in not being so cut off- from myself and my own joys.
DeleteThis is a great list! Another idea, if you're up for it, is volunteering. I'm currently really enjoying my volunteer time (helping students with college applications) & It's really rewarding & fun. I do most things on your list, but tried & failed at the furniture project. I'd love to take a class at the community college & to learn to play the guitar. That + more Spanish lessons are on my list. (Hawaii Planner)
ReplyDeleteI know it sounds selfish but after decades in nonprofit and public sector work, I'm not really interested in any sort of volunteering that has any scheduled/ consistent expectations of me and my time. I may substitute teaching if I end up enjoying it, and there is such a huge need and the pay is pathetically low, it'll be almost like volunteering anyway, but I can pick and choose the days I accept.
DeleteIt's not selfish! You've had a career of public service (I think, based on what you've said about work) & your desire for flexibility is totally reasonable. Not to try & sell you on it (because I think your take is totally fine), but my volunteering is about 1-2 hours/month, and we mutually agree on a time when we can meet virtually. There was also some upfront training. It's pretty low touch & very flexible. I think working as a sub is an awesome way to help out your community, and agree, the pay is basically like volunteering!
DeleteOh, and that was mean again. (Hawaii Planner)
DeleteI need to stop typing. That was "ME" again, not "mean" again. ;-) (HP)
DeleteHaha, I got it. I'm the queen of typos so never judgement by me.
DeleteI only volunteered tutoring. It was something needed. Volunteering to tutor GED candidates suited me best. It was something I am good at, enjoy, and was back-friendly.
ReplyDeleteThe things you are planning sound interesting. I want things to do that are not scheduled. Fixing up furniture suits that desire. Don't forget to look at furniture on the curb. Or, at move out day if there are any colleges nearby and if you happened to be nearby. I played disc golf as a knee-friendly sport. It turned out to be extreme disc golf where I played a few times since the course necessitated climbing over downed limbs. I gave that up...lol. You will find your own rhythm since you are planning.
I doubt college throw aways is going to furniture of substance to up cycle but I guess could look. I'm not looking for any consistent volunteer work in the short run.
DeleteMy friend who runs estate sales will pick up from anywhere. Microwaves, frozen bscb, furniture. I drove by a dumpster near campus, saw an antique chair, did a U-turn, saw it only had one arm, did second Uturn, thinking we all have faults, put it in the trunk, did a third u-turn and went on my way. I paid man in 80s thirty dollars to carve a new arm. I took it to local college to upholstery class, refinished it all the match, upholstered it with $36/yd upholstery fabric and it is best chair I have. The chair is solid wood and over 100 years old.
DeleteMy friend said parents give this stuff to kids, mostly. No one wants to haul home cheap microwave and does not have room. She said they throw amazing items. But, who knows what you will find.
For learning, I highly recommend investigating the Osher Living Learning Institute (aka OLLI). The classes are tailored to those over 50, and are usually reasonably priced. I started taking classes during Covid. I have taken classes at 4 different schools. The classes are usually interesting and are recorded at some schools so you can view classes that you may need to miss. Many programs are on Zoom, and many also have in person events: https://sps.northwestern.edu/oshernrc/resources/lifelong-learning/us-lifelong-learning-institute-directory.php. It looks like there are at least 2 programs in the Twin Cities area. Some classes are more academic, but the University of Minnesota appears to have several retirement discovery type classes (such as Aging With Gusto). https://ccaps.umn.edu/olli
ReplyDeleteI browsed through the U of M brochure and they appear to have a walking group and other in person opportunities.
DeleteI looked it up - seems amazing. I wonder if geared towards more traditional age retirees though? Not that I'm a spring chicken but the pictures looked like my MIL and oldest siblings. I guess if a class for learning, that wouldn't matter. Thank you you for suggesting it.
DeleteI am subbing and find it very fulfilling and enjoyable. I have select teachers and classes that I will sub for which has allowed me to get to know some students, school staff, and the routines of the school. I enjoy being able to be with the kids, help them have a good day, and then leave. If I wanted to, I could sub everyday, and the flexibility is very nice. Substitute teachers are so valuable and in such need, hopefully districts will work to increase the pay to attract good people. I heard of one district nearby that pays double pay on Fridays.
ReplyDeleteMy teacher friends have told me that too...and they can't wait for me to be available. I've seen a nearby district pay a bit better in Friday but double is incredible.
DeleteI retired 2 years ago at age 63, I have met up with a bunch of old high school friends that I haven't seen in ages. We now walk together everyday. There could be anywhere from 2 to 7 of us on any given day. We all enjoy the exercise and at least we have company.
ReplyDeleteI have several friends with challenging schedules so looking forward to being more flexible to meet them for walks, coffee, anything. Your reconnected group sounds amazing.
DeleteYou are soooo on track listing all of things that you haven't had time to learn or do. Developing that list is a wonderful jumping off point.
ReplyDeleteGardening: dirt provides amazing therapy and eating the results is fabulous. I started out decades ago using Mother Earth for my education as well as a local organic nursery. I have been transitioning to raised beds using reclaimed/scavenged lumber so no cost except screws for assembly. https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/
After 37 years in healthcare of 50-70h/weeks, the last thing I want is a schedule. I am not doing any volunteer work because every single service here wants a regular schedule. I'm not doing it. I want to call and say "I am available next week M-Th". They don't want that so they get nothing instead. Their choice. I retired 5.5y ago at age 58. Not a single moment regret.
It has surprised me that I don't miss all the interaction. I have always been an extrovert. What I've realized is that I was and am still "peopled out". I miss a few people but I can go days without interaction.
Some of retirement can be planned while the rest will happen :-)
It sounds like you've got a great approach to retirement. I always think people are afraid they won't find things to fill their days, but there are lots of hobbies and interests that can keep your body and mind being stimulated AND you might find something new to enjoy. When my Mum retired she finally learned how to quilt, something she had always wanted to do. Until she died we didn't know how many she had made, but we are glad to have them.
ReplyDelete