Now that you are finally retiring, it is time to shift your attention to hobbies, fun and living life to the fullest. However, there is the potential for boredom to creep in and potentially ruin the experience. After all, professionals are largely defined by their careers, so it only makes sense that retirees find they have little to do. After all, you can only spend so much time counting your retirement savings. Let’s take a quick look at how to combat boredom during retirement.
Create/Expand Your Bucket List
If you do not yet have a bucket list, it is time to establish one. Your bucket list is a list of things you would like to experience before metaphorically kicking the bucket and departing this plane of existence. If you already have a bucket list and few items are remaining, retirement is a good time to expand the list to fill your newfound free time. This is your chance to reinvent yourself and experience life to the fullest.
Perhaps you would like to learn how to snorkel, scuba dive, square dance, perform yoga poses or do something else interesting. Maybe you would like to see a new destination. Figure out what will make you happy, add those potential experiences to your bucket list and experience them one-by-one. Once your bucket list is exhausted, consider adding even more to it so you continue to remain active rather than sitting inside, watching TV and reading books. The bottom line is there is much more to life and retirement than killing time. Seize the opportunity to live life to the fullest during your retirement and you won’t have as many regrets down the line.
Search for Inspiration
If you are tired, bored, in pain or simply uninspired, it is time to get motivated. Consider what other retirees are doing during their golden years. Use these examples as inspiration to expand your boundaries and get that much more out of life. There is nothing wrong with copying the retirement activities of those who seem to be getting the most out of their golden years.
As an example, some octogenarians are intent on setting world records of varying sorts while others run for public office, volunteer for good causes, learn to surf or do something else extraordinary. Find a retiree who inspires you to reach new heights and expand your boundaries, use that motivation to stay active and you will enjoy retirement all the more.
Develop Your Identity Outside of Your Career
Now that you are nearing the end of your career or already retired, it is time to expand your boundaries, ultimately figuring out who you really are. This is your opportunity to define yourself outside of work. Take some time to figure out what means the most to you, develop those passions and you will feel as though your identity has expanded all the more. Perhaps you would like to travel, mentor youngsters, volunteer at an animal shelter or become that much more skilled at a particular hobby. Seize the opportunity to develop these skills/hobbies and you won’t feel the slightest bit bored during retirement.