You’ve finally reached that goal you’ve been working toward your entire adult life — retirement. So, what comes next? Now that you’re resting comfortably in your golden years, it doesn’t mean you have to pack it in for good; there’s plenty to do and see now that you’re not on the 9 to 5 plan.
If you’re retired and looking for ways to keep busy and branch out into new opportunities, here are a few great ideas:
- Don’t ignore the travel bug. Now that you’re on your own schedule, why not take advantage of all this country (and the world) has to offer? You don’t have to break the bank to take a fun vacation — the United States has so much to see and explore, with our national parks, coastlines, historical sites, and big cities with incredible dining and museums. Also, if you’re an AARP member, you may be able to find discounts on lodging and other travel amenities.
- Join a group with like-minded retirees. It might be jarring going from being around people every day at work to not having a direct social outlet. Sites like MeetUp.com allow you to find social groups with people who have similar interests, such as hiking, music, gaming, and so much more. Even if you’re married and/or have adult children living with you, the need to be social with people with your interests is especially important.
- Try a free or low-cost class to develop a new talent. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to learn more about cooking, but never had the time because of work. Now that you’re retired, you have the chance to explore all the interests you’ve had but never had time to truly explore. You could learn a new musical instrument, take a writing workshop, explore different kinds of arts and crafts, and much more.
- Take the time to give back. Volunteering in your local community is a great way to not only keep busy, but to help a cause you care about. Whether you choose to donate your time to a food pantry, animal shelter, or children’s organization, giving back by volunteering benefits everyone involved — including you.