Being retired; painful

[Cerebus]

Not every day can be a sailing day or even a ‘work on the boat day’ and if retired before one’s spouse what suggestions do people have to quell boredom?

The tv is on and I am trying not to snack.

I don’t do gardening or house DIY (although that is on my list and do-able compared to my idea of gardening).

Ideas to quell boredom and rotting away?

I am just about to read a post about “heads pipe cleaning” ! Just renew imo but I haven’t read if there are complications yet.

Interesting how threads are suggested (and strange adverts too).

 

[Fr J Hackett]

You simply have to find an interest that involves some activity and expand on it certainly getting out of the house and going for a walk at an absolute minimum.

 

[DreadShips]

Not every day can be a sailing day or even a ‘work on the boat day’ and if retired before one’s spouse what suggestions do people have to quell boredom?

The tv is on and I am trying not to snack.

I don’t do gardening or house DIY (although that is on my list and do-able compared to my idea of gardening).

Ideas to quell boredom and rotting away?

I am just about to read a post about “heads pipe cleaning” ! Just renew imo but I haven’t read if there are complications yet.

Interesting how threads are suggested (and strange adverts too).

I'm told that if men don't get a hobby they're assigned military history by default, so best get a move on...

(More seriously, volunteer somewhere - you get to meet people and have a natter. Plenty of youth groups need extra adults, if you're terrified of being a role model for teenagers - and bear in mind they let me do it - there are even more charities and heritage projects that'd love another hand)

 

[Momac]

if retired before one’s spouse what suggestions do people have to quell boredom?

What makes you think it will be any different after your spouse retires?

 

[neil_s]

Get yourself a sextant - finding the position of my back garden keeps me occupied for hours. Has an application for boating days, too!

 

[Cerebus]

You simply have to find an interest that involves some activity and expand on it certainly getting out of the house and going for a walk at an absolute minimum.

Yes. So my GP agrees.

I did look up tennis (I have been told that exercise that is of interest is likely to to be of good or greater use) but the prices are very steep where I live; simply to hire a court for an hour let alone join a club. Squash would probably kill me AND my bank account. I should sell my excellent racquet.

Then of course is the body up to it? Try and find out. I chose to retire early so most parts still work…

I wish I could go skiing but not sure that will ever happen again.

I am a good house DIYer; better than many contractors I have paid, but it does become a bore.

Car maintenance I used to enjoy but it is so much more complicated and difficult now even though I have some electrical diagnostic tools.

Pondering…

 

[Cerebus]

Get yourself a sextant - finding the position of my back garden keeps me occupied for hours. Has an application for boating days, too!

I have two and I have adjusted them and found them to be excellent and created an artificial horizon in the garden. I will be selling them. I also have a few too many gps units. Magnificent engineering and they are just two versions of the plastic variety, one good and one very good (I don’t think it had ever been used before me).

Never held an expensive metal one.

 

[Cerebus]

What makes you think it will be any different after your spouse retires?

LOL

 

[Bodach na mara]

Most retired people that I associate with agree with my sentiment. That we all wonder how we found any time to go to work.

 

[Habebty]

Since I retired, I have been sailing less than when I was working!! Still trying to figure out where my time goes but always something to do.

 

[Cerebus]

Since I retired, I have been sailing less than when I was working!! Still trying to figure out where my time goes but always something to do.

Any examples you care to share?

I have always been more at peace working on my own (stuck at an interesting desk for hours or at a worktop was top value for me) so not sure how group work would work; only one way to find out.

 

[Cerebus]

I am amazed and disgusted at how much tv I can watch. I wish the Americas Cup was on.

I will Google some YouTube; amazing how ideas percolate.

 

[Daydream believer]

Join an RC model flying club. Meet club members. Fly on nice days. Build models at home on bad ones. Go coarse fishing. Do jobs for the sailing club. There are always loads of things to do. Buy a lathe & mill & take up model engineering. Steam engines etc. Make bits for friends as well. I have become a go to for lots of little jobs.

 

[SaltyC]

What makes you think it will be any different after your spouse retires?

Hmmm, That was the easy bit! I could go sailing Mon - Fri as SWMBO was working, OK not long cruises but filled the need. Once she retired ( Her allergy to sailing and God's life appears to have disappeared). Difficult to get a few days away. This summer will be a watershed. By sleight of hand I have somehow got 8 weeks away - when she realises HELL will break loose. Should I contacty a solicitor in advance????

 

[johnalison]

It depends on your age. Three friends of mine were retired against their wishes in their fifties and they took up work, one driving an ambulance and another consultancy work in his subject electronics. My BiL in the same boat took up family tree research. Past easy working age, the choice is basically helping others or helping yourself. If you haven’t got any interests in spite of sixty years or so preparation, then this ought to be the time to start. Whether you take up pigeon racing or on-line chess is up to you, but if I have a suggestion it is to include at least some physical activity. This need not be competitive, it might include gardening or an allotment for example. During our forced lockdown I kept boredom away just by going for permitted walks, which has taught me to appreciate the small things in life.

 

[mjcoon]

Join an RC model flying club. Meet club members. Fly on nice days. Build models at home on bad ones. Go coarse fishing. Do jobs for the sailing club. There are always loads of things to do. Buy a lathe & mill & take up model engineering. Steam engines etc. Make bits for friends as well. I have become a go to for lots of little jobs.

That sounds close to one of my volunteering activities: Repair Café. Even if not so hot at the engineering/DIY aspects, they need organisers, meeters & greeters etc. Typically each location has only one event per month, but there are lots of locations...

 

[Bodach na mara]

Most retired people that I associate with agree with my sentiment. That we all wonder how we found any time to go to work

 

[Cerebus]

It depends on your age. Three friends of mine were retired against their wishes in their fifties and they took up work, one driving an ambulance and another consultancy work in his subject electronics. My BiL in the same boat took up family tree research. Past easy working age, the choice is basically helping others or helping yourself. If you haven’t got any interests in spite of sixty years or so preparation, then this ought to be the time to start. Whether you take up pigeon racing or on-line chess is up to you, but if I have a suggestion it is to include at least some physical activity. This need not be competitive, it might include gardening or an allotment for example. During our forced lockdown I kept boredom away just by going for permitted walks, which has taught me to appreciate the small things in life.

Appreciated. I do no exercise (but once was an adequate competitive athlete as a student when time permitted and scolded myself if I missed a day of exercise; how one’s views can change!)

Habit… so I have read is important. Building a habit takes at least two weeks I also read.

 

[steveeasy]

I’m fortunate not to afford to retire and my hobby together with a desire to make my family as comfortable as possible drives me more than ever.

The list of things to do is endless. Walking and camping, a project to work on at home, perhaps something you have always lusted after. How about a sailing adventure. A social hobby such as golf. Surfing, sport. If finance is not an issue then grab every opportunity to enhance your time.
Sailing for me has changed my life. My mental state and given me a sense of fulfilment.

We can do anything and everything if we go for it. Update us as to what might spark an interest and go for it now. Even a new job can work wonders.

Steveeasy

 

[fredrussell]

Not every day can be a sailing day or even a ‘work on the boat day’

One of the most shocking statements ever made on The Forum.