Your retirement is a new part of your life and should be a time filled with exciting adventures and happy memories – after all, you’ve spent so long working, it’s time to kick back and relax.
Some people however find retirement to be a bit daunting. Suddenly losing a routine you’ve built up over decades can leave some feeling lost, and the sense of freedom can be overwhelming. Instead, we think you should embrace it! Here’s a few ways you can set yourself up for retirement and enjoy every moment of it.
Find A New Hobby And Interests
A happy retirement should be spent doing things you enjoy, being the perfect time to discover new hobbies or interests. Pursue hobbies and interests that you are passionate about, try new things, explore new interests, and learn new skills. Doing this can help keep you engaged, active, and mentally stimulated, and you might find that you enjoy something you didn’t expect. Whether it be a new craft, gardening, cooking, bushwalking, or any other enjoyable activity, the happiest retirees know very well how to spend their time, heartily engaging in three or more hobbies on a regular basis.
Get Out There And Travel
Travelling is an excellent way to enjoy your retirement years and is one of the most rewarding, exciting things you can do in life. You can take things slow, exploring (or maybe caravaning?) around Australia, or get out and see the world with the time and freedom you now have thanks to retirement. Be sure to take advantage of travel discounts for seniors and explore new cultures and experiences.
Travelling on a seniors tour is also a great way to connect and meet new people, who you may be able to meet up with outside of tours if you live close to each other.
Keep A Healthy Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential to enjoying a happy retirement. This includes everything you’ve likely been following for years: eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, and taking care of your mental health. Regular exercise, socialising with friends and family, and practising mindfulness can all contribute to a healthy and happy retirement.
Consider Volunteering
Volunteering may have been something you were not able to do whilst you were working, but now with more free time, volunteering can give you a sense of purpose and fulfilment in your retirement years. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer in your community, from working with a charity or mentoring young people or helping out rescue animals and native wildlife. Volunteering can also help you stay connected to others and make new friends, which is important both in retirement and throughout our lives.
Establish A Routine
As we mentioned earlier, one of the biggest things that can make retirement difficult is the loss of a regular routine. This is why it’s so important to establish a new routine, one that doesn’t revolve around work. You may have to experiment quite a bit and figure out what does and what doesn’t work for you, and you will also have to try and find an identity for yourself that has nothing to do with your career. This can be difficult for some people, but keep in mind retirement can be a time to totally reinvent yourself.
Staying Connected
If months of lockdown during the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that connection to other people is a key part of our happiness. If you’re seeking a happy retirement, keep connected to family and friends – retirement can be a time of transition, so it’s important to maintain strong relationships with loved ones. You can stay connected through regular phone calls, visits, or even by joining social groups or clubs.
A happy retirement is one that makes you feel fulfilled. Chase what makes you happy, experience new things, and be sure to enjoy life!