What do you do in the evening? I need ideas. I so bored.

[ApolloandDaphne]

I'm age 61 and retired. DH still working but will be retired soon. I have a dodgy hip so a lot of exercise is out. I'm bored watching TV and i do a lot of things during the day that come the evening i don't want to do (housework, garden, dog walks, jigsaws, reading, audio books, hobby groups, volunteering etc). I am also doing a degree part time. But semester has ended now.

I need things to do in the evening to keep me busy. I haven't got the best eyesight and by the time evening comes they are too weary to read more or do anything involving close work.

DH is tired after a day at work and where i want to chat he is peopled out (this will change when he retires). I love playing board games but DH doesn't.

Is there something i have missed? What do people do in the evening?

Gentle pilates class
Bridge Club
Fucking about on Mumsnet

Definitely photos

My mum has died and I have so many photos where I am looking for info
Even writing on the back
Year, where it was taken, context, who is in it

Ancestry is pretty fun, I did my family tree with that

@ApolloandDaphne and @bestbefore

Do you know MOOCS? “Massive Open Online Courses”? They are mini certificates and courses you can do for free, and are short (eg 6 weeks).

Everything from American studies to creative writing and programming, and anything else you can imagine.

https://www.mooc.org/

• write a book?
• go all out and do a PhD?
• teach adult evening classes?
• bat watching?
• make cards? (You could craft beautiful Christmas or birthday cards and get a head start)
• ancestry & family tree?
• Historical project? I’m currently having a bit of a crush on the Tudors so I am visiting historical places, watching films about them and also fiction

Oh and I do the daily puzzle stuff like clickword, wordle etc
I also play clockmaker, nonogram and gardenscapes on my phone

An obvious thing, if you're looking for stimulation and conversation, seems to be go out and meet friends for a drink. Is that your scene? I don't drink alcohol, but I still like to go to a quietish pub or bar sometimes and have a ginger beer or something and a chat with friends.

I am an editorial freelancer and I have to say I gave a hollow laugh at the suggestion of doing a bit of copy-editing as an evening diversion, but maybe if you haven't already spent ten hours of your day doing it it seems more appealing.

See friends?
most other things have been mentioned here.
I’m looking for that ‘activity’ which is right for me as well. I’m a few years younger but work p/t with some health issues as well. I was in a great book club which folded and tried another which isn’t right, so on the look out again!!

Volunteer as a Brownie/Scout leader or similar. Lots of fun. You get to meet lots of people.

Walking netball? Go to pub quizzes

I used to love my WI group. You have to pick and choose but mine had women from 23 to 83, and did a fantastic range of talks and activities. Generally the evening groups with the slightly quirky names are a bit more lively than the others.

If it’s a nice evening I will walk my dog or sit outside in the garden throwing the ball for her. I am quite happy to watch TV or go on the internet.i don’t need to be endlessly stimulated.

I totally agree with everyone who suggested sorting out photos. I tidied mine up during lockdown and although it took ages it was well worth it. Once you've sorted them out you can make photobooks and calendars online as presents.
Walks by yourself on long light evenings, maybe take more photos as well while on the walks.
Batch cooking for the freezer.
Shopping:: if there are malls near you that are open a bit later or do your supermarket shop in the evening.
I like reading, telly and looking up stuff online in the evening or just socialising.
Apologies if some of this is a bit obvious.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I have lots to consider.

Gaming.
There is a fab (old ladies who play) Pokemon Go community, and if you're willing to spend a bit of money (not a lot) then you don't have to go out often at all to play PGo quite a lot.

@ApolloandDaphne Thank you for this link it covers so much.

Swinging? Oh no your bad hip. Seriously though your life sounds great. You are clearly a clever lady. How about researching family tree? Making pottery? Quiz night in a decent pub?

do you swim? Outdoor swimming is super good for the soul x