1. They eat at home, so they prepare many meals from scratch, as I do, and as these tomatoes ready to be roasted can attest. ( I have a food blog where these will star many times!)
2. They take up hobbies full time. My neighbors are golfers, fishermen, quilters, gardeners. Many more are painters, sculptors, writers.
3. They join clubs. Here in our small town, Rotary is the premier 'club'. The Lions, the Masons, and many other groups recruit and invite people to join. Find a club that meets your mission in life. Many ladies belong to the Red Hat Society. I'm not sure what they do, but they look great, in their red hats when I see them at lunches.
4. They volunteer. Look around and ask the residents about volunteer activities. Hubby and I have been involved in many groups. Schools, libraries, senior centers, hospitals all need volunteers.
5. They organize events. My neighbors are busy with projects all the time, fundraisers for different groups that need money or support.
6. Support causes or political events. Hubby and I worked as Precinct Captains, going door to door to encourage people to take a stand on various issues. We happen to be democrats, but every party has Precinct Captains.
7. Run for office. I am serving my second term as a school board trustee. I served as president and vice-president, at times very busy.
8. Start a business. Many people open up a small business as a part time occupation in something they are really proficient in. With on-line support, you too can succeed at your new endeavor.
9. Plan home-improvements projects that you can manage. Be sure you get the proper permits, and the proper consultations. Different states have different rules on what can be done by non-professionals.
10. Let your family know you are willing to house-sit, dog sit, baby-sit or fill in for them as they need you. Many times, younger people hesitate asking you thinking you are too tired, or living too far away to be of help to them. Let them know you are willing to assist them, and negotiate the how and the when. You will feel useful and the family will appreciate your help.
27 comments:
I've finally caught up with your posts. We will never be able to fully retire as we are self employed with no one to offer us a pension and whatever savings we managed to put away has been decimated by several stock market crashes. but even if we coulod retire I can't imagine not still wanting to work. We are probably semi-retired since the economy is so bad. No one is buying art so I'm trying to find other income streams...teaching our craft, working the occasional day at a local antique store.
THAT sounds like a VERY busy "retired"! You work harder then I do believe...then when you Aren't retired! That's amazing work you do. I hope I will do even half of that when I retire!
Your list is useful; as you and I know, being retired can be a very busy time. How did I find time to work! One thing I do is write, and I just signed the contract for my second book.
We still have to unpack all our boxes before we can enjoy our retirement!!!
Diane
sounds pretty good to
me!
We probably do # 1,2, 8 and 9. I think first a person has to be very out-going in personality to do the other things.... we are a bit more introverted. :-) You and your neighbors certainly sound interesting though. Hey... let me know if I can give you a free blog make-over sometime. :-))
The tomatoes look so tasty. I was out this morning looking at my tomato plants and they have little tomatoes on them. Hope they make it. Here in Arizona we have two growing seasons and currently we are in our 2nd. I will soon be retiring and I feel that I am not going to want to do anything but what I want to do when I want to do it. After all these 60 some years of doing things their way, I want to be able to do things my way. Just saying. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.
i know my mom has enjoyed being available to take the grandkids or help out with them...and she does keep pretty active with all the things she does...
We do 1, 2, 4 and 6. Plus take Spanish lessons online and travel.
Have to keep moving, exercising, stretching in order to be able to do anything else.
How did I ever find time to work?
All good ideas...I'm working more now than when I was working...
Those are all great suggestions. There are all kinds of opportunities to keep busy, if we choose.
Can I add one more? Reconnecting with friends and family, especially those long-distance, seen briefly and rarely over the years but missed nevertheless. Now we can spend more time together.
I so wish I had space for a garden to grow such delicious fruit like yours, Rosaria! But I'll just have to be happy writing and blogging, and visiting my other children as much as I can with Jen. I never think that I'm retired from anything, because I'm not!!
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets
Yes - all true! You know, I don't know how I ever managed to find the time to go to work.
About "they volunteer" -- tonight I wish they didn't :-) It's pouring rain here as darkness falls, and I've got to wade out to a meeting. It'll be good once I'm there, though.
Active retirement.
You're making me VERY envious there, Rosaria!! I am about to go BACK to work full time after 28 years of not because of the awful economy. At 61, I'm pretty sad about that. Color me green!!
I want to be a retiree when I grow up.
Ooooh, where is your food blog?! Since I am doing half of these things already, am I almost a retiree??? (I don't think so....)
I'm wondering if I'll ever be able to retire! But I do many of those things while working so I'm getting prepared. My Mom is 85 and she makes me tired watching all she does in a day. Her belief is to always keep moving so old age doesn't catch you! You sound like a very busy and fulfilled retiree...I admire you!
got it!
Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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A fine list and good advice. And geesh those tomatoes look scrumptious.
You forgot to list read blogs. I've learned so much from the blogs that I've read since I retired. Not the least of which is what to do with all those tomatoes I grew this summer! The last of my tomatoes are turning red in my kitchen now...I think I'll try roasting them.
Wise thoughts, Rosaria. I find myself involved in many of the things your mentioned.
And as you well understand, I'm currently occupied with Occupy Saskatoon. If it weren't so sad, it would be delightful. But every time I turn around, there is yet more bad news.
Ah, well.
Retirement sounds awesome when put this way!! Instead of dreading it, I shall look forward to it! :-))
Thanks Rosaria! Wishing you a fabulous weekend!
Reese
http://rambleswithreese.etsy.com
http://rambleswithreese.blogspot.com
After you retire it's so important to live where you want to live (if you can afford it) and do the things you want to do.
Roy loves to garden - so he has the garden, and a greenhouse, and a dog to pester him now and then.
I love to write and to blog, to paint, and to make music.
We love to square dance.
We are so busy I wonder how we managed while we were still working.
This is an excellent list! I've been stalled out, largely, because Plan A suddenly became impossible (move to be close to family). If I don't stop grieving and get with Plan B, I shall wither!
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