You’ve probably spent at least a little time thinking about what to do in retirement. How will you fill your days? Where will you go? What will you do? With whom will you spend time?
In retirement, you likely have more options for how to spend your time than ever before. And, you certainly don’t have to settle on only one goal, hobby or pursuit.Maybe you’ll pursue painting. Or perhaps skydiving is more up your alley. Think that’s crazy? Geraldine Watson did her first skydive at the age of 85, and loved it! Did she want to do it again? No. She had other dreams to pursue.
Retirees don’t live a static life. Things change, and interests may evolve. Retirement is a time when you get to make the rules and adapt to them as you see fit. What you dream about today might be radically different from what you want a few years into retirement. And, with Americans living longer now than ever before, it’s time to start dreaming bigger.
Here are 25 relaxing, exciting, rewarding, simple and challenging ways you could find a perfect retirement life balance. And — if you are overwhelmed by your choices, skip to the bottom of this article for tips to help you figure out what to do after retirement.
#1 What to do in retirement? Do what makes YOU happy
A lot of items on this list talk about doing something amazing. But that is not the real point. You don’t have to be the best, the first, the oldest or the most.
Retirement is the time when it should not matter if you are keeping up with the Jones’. Now is the time to do what makes YOU happy. You can enjoy the little things or you can swing for the fences. You can make a difference to your own loved ones or volunteer and change lives in your community. You might make a fortune doing what you love or you can make ends meet while pursuing your passion. The scale of your endeavors should not matter. Think hard and make sure that what you do after retirement matters to YOU.
#2 See the world or your corner of it
Travel ranks near the top of a lot of what to do in retirement wish lists. Some retirees have a certain city they’ve always wanted to visit. And for others, a more consistent schedule of travel is a lot more exciting.
You don’t have to cross an ocean to have a great travel experience. You could travel through North America and never see it all. Even travel within your own state could yield experiences that you didn’t know were there.
The life of a traveler is varied. Some people buy an RV, and some love to take a train. Of course flying will take you practically everywhere. As for lodging, retirees can get creative. Book hotels, if that’s your thing. Or check out Airbnb, a service that connects travelers with private B & B experiences in the U.S. and around the world.
#3 Become an entrepreneur
Didn’t you just leave a steady job? Why would you think about working again? Many retirees do.
The idea of being your own boss can be awfully appealing. Your business can be anything you’re good at or want to try. Open a shop or provide a service. It’s your ballgame.
And… get this: The Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation has found that about a quarter of all new businesses started in that year were owned by people aged 55 to 64.
#4 Head to summer camp
Summer camp isn’t just for kids. It is as fun to do in retirement as it was as a kid. The grown up version is less likely to give you a case of poison ivy, and more likely to offer a range of experiences that far outpace any wilderness camp that your kids might have gone to. There’s a grown-up camp for fishing, fitness, race car driving, acting and more.
Chances are if you have an interest, there’s a camp for it. How about a spa camp? The list of possibilities is interesting. Fight zombies? “Uplifting” new age experiences? Traditional camp activities with cocktails at night? Yep, there’s a camp for all of that.
