There’s a reason your retirement age is called your golden years. People in this age group report the highest levels of happiness, and many find that starting life all over again with no job to work and no young children to raise is like entering a second youth. You might experience some of that joy and vigor yourself, especially if you stick to the following ten tips. If your brand-new season of life is just getting started, rely on some of the ideas in this article to enjoy your golden years to their fullest potential.
Start a Side Business
While many senior citizens choose to retire if they can, you might hope for something besides endless free time. Instead of working a full week at a job you detest, you could spend your retirement years working on what you love. You could make crafts and run an Etsy shop online, or get automotive & diesel technology degrees and start your own auto repair shop on the side. If you love tinkering with engines, then you’ll relish going to work every day as a part time mechanic. With a small side business, you can stay busy but still have fun doing it.
Get Outside
If you’re a parent, you might have told your kids to head outside for some “fresh air and sunshine” when they were younger. If you did, then it’s time to take your own advice. As Anne Frank so beautifully put it, “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be.” Head outside on a regular basis for walks, reading in the shade, or simply looking at the beauty of the outside world.
Take Classes
When you retire, your mind doesn’t have the same workload that it used to. At first, this will feel like a welcome change. After a while, however, you might itch to start learning things again. You’re not too old to learn how to surf Hawaii, take up quilting, or become a superb souffle baker. You can pick up a brand new skill at any time, so taking a class or two during your golden years could make life even more enjoyable.
Keep Up With Your Grandchildren
If you have grandchildren, part of your retirement years can be spent with them. If you live nearby, you could be a blessing to your children by babysitting or taking the kids out of the house for an hour or two. Your grandchildren will love this chance to spend time with you, and you’ll love it, too. Even if you don’t live nearby, you can schedule a few visits each year, keep up by email and phone, and stay connected.
Spend More Time Cooking
If you weren’t much of a cook before you retired, you might not be crazy about the idea even now. On the other hand, you might have loved cooking with a passion and lamented not having the time to cook the kind of dishes you like. Whether you loved it or hated it, retirement is the perfect time to develop a love of cooking. You can tackle complex dishes, try out unique cuisine, and provide top-quality meals for yourself, all with the skill of your own hands.
Have More Fun
When you were young, you probably thought seniors didn’t have any fun. Nothing could be further from the truth, of course, and as you enjoy your golden years, you should make sure you experience all the fun your retirement years can offer. Don’t be afraid to try something wacky like a night of gambling or swing dancing. You can experience North Bend, OR and New York, NY. If your golden years are your second youth, then you get to experience all of the fun, exploration, and discovery that you did when you were in your twenties and late teens.
Volunteer on the Side
Many people in decide to spend retirement volunteering, if you like the idea of donating your time, you have a wide range of options to choose from. You could work with Habitat for Humanity and build houses; work with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and work with kids; volunteer at your local hospital and visit patients, volunteer for a local historical society and lead tours of small museums, or volunteer to help military families. You could limit your hours to one or two a week, or you could fill each day with almost a full shift of meaningful activity — whatever you needed at the time.
Travel the World
Once you don’t have to worrying about vacation days and paid time off, you have even greater freedom to travel the world. A lot of retirees choose to travel, since any children you have can take care of themselves, and you likely have a sizable savings account to fund a trip or two. You might plan your trip a little differently than if you were a teenager, but safe travels are easy for any dedicated senior explorer.
Live in a Retirement Community
There are plenty of great ways to enjoy your retirement years, but one of the best is undoubtedly a retirement community. In a retirement community, you can enjoy the benefits of someone else moving your lawn and shoveling your sidewalk. You can make new friends, enjoy group activities, and take advantage of everything a retirement community offers. You could get a brand new taste of the world in lifestyle villages in Melbourne and live your golden years as one relaxing adventure. Many seniors choose to move to a retirement community as they get older, and you might find that the benefits are perfect for you, too.