Struggling with boredom in retirement, any fulfilling hobbies to do at home?

[Member346563]

I’ve been retired 5 years now (I’m 58) from time to time I’ve really struggled with retirement but the last few weeks have been worse than ever. I’m so bored, I’ve tried all sorts of hobbies, sewing/knitting/jigsaws/puzzles/rambling/baking/gym/dance/reading/learning piano but found nothing that really inspires me or I feel passionate about.

financially I’m very comfortable so have no motivation to make money and have zero intention of returning to work.

I do have my beloved dog who I walk twice a day but the commitment of the dog means I can’t leave the house on my own for more than a couple of hours a day.

Any suggestions on hobbies or studies that I can do from home?
please tell me what your passions are.

U 3 A have a wide variety of courses. I have just retired and intend to do a taster session with the scrabble group and advanced French. Lots of community groups around if you scratch the surface. Local history, gardening, conservation, yoga, and Pilates are all available in my tiny village. Activities with your dog like agility, obedience, flyball if suitable? Family history research? That can get very addictive. Cookery courses?

I retired about the same age and I did a degree part time to keep me occupied. It took me 7 years and I am so proud of what I achieved. Look and see what your local uni can offer?

I retired early a couple of years ago. I'm now 62. I'm really getting into DIY. My late husband wasn't interested in doing anything around the house and didn't want to spend money either. He died in 2024 and I'm now getting to make some long overdue improvements. Big things like the bathrooms I got contractors in, but at the start of this year I completely redecorated my porch. Now I'm spending time in the garden, which has been neglected for ages. I've just finished building a shed base from scratch and soon I'll be ordering a wooden shed which I'll put together myself as much as possible. Then I'll be dismantling an old playhouse that is over 20yrs old. I'm getting a lot of satisfaction out of doing things myself, even if I am completely knackered most days.

I'm mid-60s and currently phasing myself into retirement. I'm trying to get a balance of activities/interests to keep me fit, sociable and interested in life for as long as possible - maybe some of them will be of interest to you?

Exercise - I've become a gym-goer to improve my overall fitness level. I also do pilates for flexibility and strength, and I walk a lot - both with groups, friends and by myself. I've now got an e-bike so am going on cycle rides as well.
Sociability - I've found a couple of women's groups - I walk with one, but also dine with another and there are also opportunities for gig-going, meeting for a coffee.
Other interests: Been doing a language course once a week, and also pottery weekly. Both of these are in real-life so I get out and meet people - very important in the winter in particular. I'm also part of a bookgroup. I also garden at home.
Volunteering - just got involved as a trustee of a local foodbank, which ensures I use some of the skills I'v. But looking for other opportunities to volunteer which help my local community but which I also enjoy/help me learn new or retain existing skills.
I also read a lot - especially in the winter - do some DIY and decorating around the home - and keep meaning to get back into sewing and tapestry when I have a moment.
I also visit art galleries and theatre whenever funds allow - often combining these with a bit of sneaky window-shopping.
I also love planning holidays. I enjoy travel and do it either independently or in groups. I really enjoy the logistical side of it, so can while away many evenings looking at train times online and checking out airbnbs or hotels...
We've only got a limited time left on this earth and I'm really determined to keep mine as interesting as possible for as long as possible!

They’re great, you’re very talented.

Am 57.

If i was retired I would take art classes , go to local wildlife areas to birdwatch and join a gym.

Have never joined a gym before so who knows if id like it, but I've always said I would.

I'd redecorate the bathroom also.

Every dog is different. I used to have a golden retriever who I could leave for several hours. Now I have a dachshund. He was a lockdown puppy and we had enforced togetherness which has made him an extremely anxious and clingy dog when left alone. Two hours is my max for leaving him as he gets really agitated.

Join a gym and go to the classes, within a few weeks you will make friends, even for coffee or lunch. Since i joined a gym Ive been to France, Canada, Spain, Dubai, Turkey and recently London all with people ive met at the gym. We were at the theatre a couple of weeks ago and are going to a comedy night soon and planning another trip to London. We meet for coffee a couple of times a week and whatever entertainment we all fancy. We are all from different walks of life, try it and see.

Think very carefully about volunteering. A friend of mine has just quit her 3rd volunteer role for the same reason she left the other 2. What starts off as a few hours a week ended up being closer to 30 and she felt more like an unpaid employee rather than a volunteer.

I'm not retired, but I love my hobbies at home!

I have a library of books, I knit (both by hand and knitting machine), I sew, I'm into art (drawing and painting, mainly), I have instruments that I'm learning to play, and I also like cooking from scratch.

I'm genuinely shocked that you can't leave the house for more than 2 hours because of your dog. I'm the same age as you and have been retired for a few years. When I think of the life I have built, most of what I do to remain busy and fulfilled would not be possible if I was effectively trapped at home because of a pet. I also don't really understand why you can't take your dog with you to outside events given that dogs seem to be omnipresent these days.

Teach your dog amazing tricks, volunteer to walk dogs from local sanctuary, make kimchi, grow veg

What are you passionate about? What would you like to change in the world? What would you like to be remembered for? What gives you satisfaction?

I’d plan a project in the garden - I wasn’t into it at the beginning but gradually it really started to take over

Would you consider joining your local Scouts as a leader? They always need people to help!

I’m 35 but it seems completely wasteful to be retired and restricted to the home at a pretty young age. You’re not even 60. You could be ‘retired’ for 40 years! People live a long time these days. Personally I think you should reconsider working, but make it a job you’d actually really enjoy. My 66yo relative does the front of house for a gothy art gallery in Whitechapel. She’s become so cool since having this job and has a new lease of life following 2 years retired and bored. I really admire her for it. You could do anything - but do something! Don’t waste your years on jigsaw puzzles and endless dog walks.

53 is too young to retire - it was crazy to retire at that age.

If you are financially secure enough not to need to take a salary, volunteer instead. Go listen to kids read in your local school, volunteer with a charity that connects people with elderly folk near them who need company. Volunteer at the national trust. Consider stuff like being a school governor, or a charity trustee. There is so much you can do if you have time.

Volunteering.

Girlguiding is always keen for volunteers. You don't have to be a leader and work with children if you don't want to. There are lots of behind the scenes things you could do. It's a fab way of getting to try new activities too and there's an adult section you can join if you want.

What did you do for work, is there anything related to that you would enjoy?

I once looked after a guy in his 70’s who had (with his wife) fostered over 50 children and teens through their life. They stopped fostering but started hosting foreign students as his wife loved having young people around and really missed it. So they had ‘retired’ but kept the thing they loved about the job, with less of the challenges. I suppose similar would be teachers volunteering at children’s groups or brownies. DIY minded people volunteering at repair cafes. Gardeners at national trust properties.

I’m late 30’s with 2 young kids and working shift work so obviously I dream of what I’ll do when I have time (I know I know treasure every minute.) I want to: play a lot of board games. Learn to sew clothes and household decor. Decorate the house. Learn a language and live abroad for a summer. Play computer games (I like world building type ones.) Get my garden looking great. Volunteer somewhere, maybe a community library or kids group. Learn to paddleboard. Go to the theatre a lot. Play padel.

Why don’t you go on holiday with your dog? Have you got friends?

Thanks for all your ideas and input. A lot of useful information and ideas. You’re all right about the dog. I could actually leave her for 4 hours and she would be fine, I just feel guilty leaving her alone that long.

Am going to look at the U3A as I’m sure there is a local one and there is a language I’d like to learn. I have got a couple of theatre trips coming up over summer and I know i need to face my fears and get out driving more (unconfident driver) then I can take dog on more adventures.

I've never posted before but crikey - rent a little flat in Paris for 3 months, find somewhere cental to rent as cheap as chips possibly with your doggie or if not find someone local - your doggie will be fine - and then move onto Rome, you have one life, live it

Another mature student here! I started a part time OU degree at age 70 and I love it. Also City Lit do online courses in all sorts of subjects.

Fancy being a magistrate? Good for the community, meet new people, very mentally stimulating / demanding.

What did you do before you retired? Could you join some Boards as a NED or Trustee?

You could join Masterclass and do some classes to find something that sparks an interest and then go on to study it more formally?

When I retire I plan to do an English Literature degree, get my RYA skipper license and travel as much as I can.