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Original poster

To wonder what retirees do on a grey, wet Tuesday morning

241 replies

BeaQuiet · 02/08/2026 10:50

I'm just a few years from State Pension age but can't imagine giving up work completely (work 28 hours pw at the moment).

Summers like this, yes, I'd be perfectly content but AIBU to ask what retired people do on a wet Tuesday morning in winter. Especially as Wed, Thur, Fri etc are likely to be wet or grey too.

This was raised on a Mel Robbins podcast on ageing and it got me thinking.

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 03/08/2026 16:53

FishPie2 · 02/08/2026 18:27

If you still have a partner everything is fine but when you are on your own it can be so boring. I hate rainy days and could happily stay in bed and watch catch up TV. Coffee meets bore me to death, I don't need to do much shopping and just wish there were decent exercise classes near to where I live but I have to make do with ytube. Swimming twice a week is about it so most of my spare money goes on train fares to places I enjoy.

I do think this can work the other way too, I’ve known a fair few retired who end up pandering to whatever the other person wants to do ( or doesn’t as in the case of quite a few) rather than doing things just for themselves. ( and of both sexes) - blokes that didn’t attend the car rallies or gigs because their partner wasn’t interested or women who didn’t work part time, volunteer etc because partner said it would be restrictive if they had commitments ( and then never wanted to go anywhere much or do anything)

alteredimage · 03/08/2026 12:16

BatshitCrazyWoman · 03/08/2026 05:39

It's interesting how this Odeon initiative varies round the country. It's on Monday here, and is £5. Still a bargain though, as that's more than half the cheapest ticket price. Love the cinema!

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Our £2.00 Odeon is quite a modern one. All seats are at the same price. I need to avoid the fully reclining ones, as I would fall asleep. Quite the thought. A row of reclining pensioners all snoring, teenage years long past.

Epoisses · 03/08/2026 06:42

Allseeingallknowing · 02/08/2026 22:31

Presumably he doesn’t have time for hobbies then?

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Housework takes about 3 hours a week! Plenty of time for him to do other stuff.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 03/08/2026 05:39

Bunnyofhope · 02/08/2026 21:53

Odeon do 'silvers' on a Tuesday. £2 for a movie, a coffee and two biscuits.

It's interesting how this Odeon initiative varies round the country. It's on Monday here, and is £5. Still a bargain though, as that's more than half the cheapest ticket price. Love the cinema!

caringcarer · 03/08/2026 00:42

I do an aquarobics class on most Tuesday mornings. I go to gym Thursday afternoons too but do sometimes change day if I have something else on. I like to have lunch out a couple of times each week. I like to cook so plan quite elaborate meals if having guests over. I like to bake, crochet and work in garden if it's not too hot. I only spend 30 mins in my garden jobs 2 or 3 times a week and it's surprising how much difference it makes. I read, watch sport on TV, netflix and meet up with a friend and occasionally I travel almost 200 miles to visit my sister's and stay overnight before returning. I have found I can always find something to do.

Norugratsatall · 02/08/2026 23:36

I am quite recently retired so haven’t yet experienced a grey wet Tuesday. 😊 but there would be plenty I could do. Declutter, sew, draw, read a book, do some gentle yoga, jigsaw puzzle. Possibilities are endless really…. One thing I wouldn’t do is sit down and reminisce about work…..

DeftGoldHedgehog · 02/08/2026 23:27

FredBares · 02/08/2026 11:36

Must we stay busy? How about reading, with a pot of tea and the cat?

What does the cat read? 😺

SnowFrogJelly · 02/08/2026 23:21

Go to community choir sing and socialise

DeftGoldHedgehog · 02/08/2026 23:20

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 02/08/2026 18:56

DM goes to a French conversation group on Tuesday pm.
At other times of the week she goes to Tai Chi or Culture Club (they arranged trips to exhibitions and plays etc). She’s also volunteered at a charity shop, at the dc’s primary school and been a tour guide at Wells Cathedral. She didn’t like Bridge.

Judgibg by the U3A board in our library, life really does begin at retirement!

Culture Club!

Now I have a Karma Chameleon earworm.

Alittlefrustrated · 02/08/2026 23:19

I do a morning swim, then volunteer on Tuesdays, regardless of the weather.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 02/08/2026 23:17

Stay in bed. Make a drink and go back to bed. Bliss.

I'm not retired but my friend who is (and who is very active and does loads) says she loves having a cup of tea in bed and knowing she doesn't have to get up for work.

BIossomtoes · 02/08/2026 23:12

Allseeingallknowing · 02/08/2026 22:31

Presumably he doesn’t have time for hobbies then?

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Housework isn’t a full time job.

Allseeingallknowing · 02/08/2026 22:31

Epoisses · 02/08/2026 21:59

No. Dh does it

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Presumably he doesn’t have time for hobbies then?

supercrone · 02/08/2026 22:16

principalskinna · 02/08/2026 12:18

I'm laughing because everybody who's retired on here and say that they do interesting things and then list them, or things look really fucking boring.
genealogy, gardening and pottery ffs

shoot me now

Edited

You obviously think you are really interesting. But somehow, I doubt that you are.

Digerydont · 02/08/2026 22:09

I have got my guitar out now. My hands are far too small for guitar. I really struggle to play guitar, but I enjoy trying.

When I was working, I just did things I was good at. Now, I am retired, I am prepared to try my hand at stuff I have little aptitude for. Nothing really matters any more - it's so liberating.

Epoisses · 02/08/2026 21:59

Allseeingallknowing · 02/08/2026 19:13

With all these activity and good works, does anyone do any housework?

No. Dh does it

Digerydont · 02/08/2026 21:57

Lalgarh · 02/08/2026 20:02

Watching Bargain Hunt

Defo, if its on.

Bunnyofhope · 02/08/2026 21:53

Odeon do 'silvers' on a Tuesday. £2 for a movie, a coffee and two biscuits.

Thecows · 02/08/2026 21:48

Running, hiking, gym, garden, meeting friends, holidays, list is endless. I can't get my head around people not being able to imagine not working tbh

Digerydont · 02/08/2026 21:45

In good weather, I will jog 3k around my local woods before lunch. I like watching horse racing on ITV when it's Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood or Cheltenham. I follow 3 local football teams, all at various levels of the football pyramid, so once the season gets started, I will have a game to go to every weekend. Occasionally, I turn up for a park run.

ShanghaiDiva · 02/08/2026 20:33

Lalgarh · 02/08/2026 20:02

Watching Bargain Hunt

My dm loved bargain hunt. When we lived with her during lockdown dd who was 13 at the time used to watch it with her. Fun times!

Lalgarh · 02/08/2026 20:02

Watching Bargain Hunt

Hillarious · 02/08/2026 19:59

undergound · 02/08/2026 12:08

This!! I would hate to be busy and booked up with doing “stuff.”

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When I went on maternity leave, I craved routine. Now in retirement I like to have an empty diary and make my mind up that day what I would like to do. I’ve found a food charity I can volunteer with on an hoc basis and that suits me down to the ground. No plans to go anywhere in the school holidays, so have been helping at holiday lunch clubs. Sometimes you just have to put something in the diary.

Homes under the Hammer is ideal for a wet afternoon, along with some knitting and a cake. I can save cycling and sculling for nicer weather.

Ilovemyshed · 02/08/2026 19:21

A lie in, leisurely brunch, do some baking, catch up on housework and laundry/ironing, watch a movie, do some crafts, do some decorating, go to the theatre or cinema, go to a museum, go shopping, meet a friend for coffee, catch up on admin, do some volunteering.

Basically anything you might do on a wet weekend.

Yetone · 02/08/2026 19:20

Allseeingallknowing · 02/08/2026 19:13

With all these activity and good works, does anyone do any housework?

Yes unfortunately, we share it but I am thinking of getting a cleaner.