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.

Yeh but once you volunteer it's basically a lifelong commitment unless you have a robust constitution to ignore the guilt trips about the group closing if you leave.

There’s your first project: advanced driving lessons! Get that confidence up. Keep your life big while you can: you might only be half/2/3 way through!

If you’re not a confident driver and it’s stopping you doing other fun things or from going further afield, then maybe book some driving confidence lessons with an instructor. You’re still fairly young and with money so try to get out there and really enjoy the rest of your life. It’s a big world.

What about painting? There are lots of youtube videos you can just follow if you don't have the creativity at present. Also cross stitch, there is a whole world out there not including traditional kits, just look on flosstube or 123 stitch.

Find a focus. Something you love. And then pursue hobbies related to that.

For example instead of “I’ve tried piano and sewing” in a general sense, think more along the lines of “I really love Star Wars (or whatever it is you love) so I’m going to learn all the songs on piano and do a cross stitch of Darth Vader”

My dogs are my absolute passion and everything I do revolves around them. I am single with grown adult kids, so can do what I like, have chosen to still work half a day a week (self employed). I’ve also done voluntary work rehoming dogs for a large UK breed charity. With one of my own dogs, (Labrador) I’ve participated in scent work, mantrailing, and beginners gundog training. with the other (Newfoundland) when you get I did swim/lifesaving training with a club. The club was a bit cliquey, but I learned enough to do it myself which was all I needed. I do random 1:1 training when I fancy with my Labrador as she’s still young and I love learning to communicate with her. I bought a campervan years ago and plan days out for us; it’s a VW T5 and I’ll keep it for ever as the engines last. I plan on doing a trip to France next year but will probably hire a larger motorhome for that. I’m redesigning the interior of my van and that’s a full time job at the moment. I’m also designing a swim pond for the dogs in my garden. I downsized last year and that in itself has been such a therapeutic experience and given me a new lease of life. I have also learned to trade stocks on Trading 212. I’m really proud of that as I’m doing rather well at it - it’s the sort of thing I’d have preciously needed my dad to teach me for reassurance, but he’s passed now so I just have to go it alone. I also want to start growing veg /have a flower garden on seasonal rotation which I have kind of got now, but I need to add to that. I love cutting my own flowers to make huge bouquets to give to people. Then I need to buy a small plot of land for my camper. And I’m always doing some form of online course in canine behaviour and reading/researching. I’d love chickens again - I’ve had them before and that’s another project - this time I’d like to try to hatch one. They also trash your garden if free roaming! It’s hard when you are the first of a group to retire .. sooner or later there will be more friends and family around to coffee with etc. I’m sure you’ll get there. Good luck 🤞

There no team sports in their or much socialising. There are lots of studies saying it’s all about socialising with other people that keeps the dementia at bay.
What about a badminton club, netball club, learning golf at a women’s night, book club, going to church and becoming involved in local events, volunteering at a charity shop or dog shelter.

I think I would find a community garden and also put a lot of effort into my own garden.

I research my family tree. It’s not all at home though. I go to see my ancestors’ houses and visit graves, if they still exist. Graves often have useful information, if there are other family members in there - they can confirm who the wife and maybe some of the children were. One of my family graves had three generations in it! Last week, we visited a castle built by an ancestor (24 x great grandfather)!

You don’t need to go visiting though; it’s just another layer. I’ve learnt a fair bit of social history.

Love this suggestion! Our society needs more women in these roles. You could make such a difference!

I'm 57 and retired last year.
I thought I was bored so I got a part time job, trust me there is nothing like rejoining the workforce to make you realise the bliss of retirement.
We looked at U3A but our local one has no one under 75 in it. I am now enrolled on an art course, I've joined the local gym and go swimming outdoors twice a week.
I am practising tai chi and two of our neighbours pop round in the morning to join in now.
I'm eating healthier. Cooking more from scratch and book myself on a little trip away once a month.
If you are traveling alone, cruises are great for setting you up with other single travellers to dine with.
I missed if you have a partner? A romance would be a nice distraction!

Take a few refresher driving lessons, perhaps even an advanced driving course. My mother did when she lost her confidence and it made a huge difference.

What is the dog’s temperament?

Could you volunteer at a care home, as a visitor who takes in a pet? I’m sure there’s a proper name for this but I can’t think what it may be 😢

Calligraphy? Once you’ve learned the basics, it’s repetition and practice.

I love the idea of researching history.

How do you apply and what is the criteria?

In your shoes, I'd be devoted to my dog too so I do understand where you're coming from.

Gardening has been a slow burn, but I’m well and truly hooked now

Don’t build your life around your dog (s/he won’t live for ever). You can afford a dog walker to enable you to be out all day. You can put the dog in kennels to enable you to travel to new places.
I echo what others have said regarding education- either the OU or actually in person. If you’ve already got a degree, consider a Masters or PhD.

All the info and requirements are on the Gov.uk website.

I learned to drive in my 30s and was a very nervous driver for about the first 10 years after that and it really does limit you. Are you near a decent bus or train station? I agree that you need to investigate a good dog sitter and spend a bit of time looking into how you can get out more.

Not in the home, but would you consider something like pickleball. It is really growing as a sport and requires no previous skill. I have friends who go, and the groups are very sociable. Also not more 2 hours out of the house, way to socialise also.

If you can go out for a couple of hours at a time depending on your location you could volunteer in a hospital/nursery/primary school/teach English to refugees or support them with life admin (thinking of things my mum and grandma do/ did).
In terms of things to do at home as others have said courses/qualifications online or learn a language? You could learn a language but also learn about the culture, food etc to add more aspects to it. Or write a book.

A former colleague was able to retire at 50. She has taken off travelling. Renting a flat in a city for a month or two or driving a camper van about. She went to Bali for a yoga thing for two months the last time I heard from her. Closer to home, I’d go to art college if I could. I love the buzz of theatre so I’d travel to go and see whatever shows I like the sound of. I’d have a proper exercise routine, including sea swim and sauna. Keep bees, start a small-holding etc etc.. it sounds like you need to look at real-world involvement outside your home. You do what my mum does sitting at home with puzzles a lot. She’s mid 70s and I nag her about going places a bit more.

Volunteer as a trustee for a charity?
Become a Parish Councillor ?

It sounds like you have lots of skills you could bring to the table. It doesn't have to be a huge time commitment

If you are financially comfortable can you get a dog walker so you can sometimes get out for longer? Or even a teen willing to earn some cash to dogs it?