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

[BeaQuiet]

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.

And ime a significant number volunteer a lot of their time in their local community.

If I have a commitment like someone coming for lunch, meeting a friend, keep fit class, voluntary work etc I just keep it anyway.
If weather isn’t too bad I still walk the dog. If it’s really horrible I curl up under a heated blanket with a book or watch TV and do my tapestry or something.
It’s quite nice in winter to have a cup of coffee while watching people defrost their cars through the window.

Preparation is everything.

But yes, swanning in as if free movement still exists won't cut it!

Nordic walking
Swimming
Painting
Running and organising clubs
Writing a book
Meeting friends
Visiting parks, galleries, zoos etc.

It's great!

I’m 64and about to move back to the EU after 4 years back in UK - setting up an EU subsidiary on our business - the beauracracy will keep me entertained for a year - not somewhere with year round great weather too - all I would say is I personally I would live somewhere with a lot going on and places to go- gardening, garden centres, genealogy, pottery, allotments etc wouldn’t be for me - I think that’s an important thing when you have far more time on your hands , live somewhere that suits your personality and interests

You should see my prep for Germany - utilising taking our business - executive statement, business accounts, CVs , cash flow projections, statements, contracts for services- the list is endless.none of the business minded country’s that we would go to, essentially the scandis, Netherlands or Germany use nomad visas at all - getting in legally longer term is hardcore!

Sadly, I’m a long way from retirement so can’t answer OP’s question, but I’m placemarking to hopefully find out what this means.

I missed out going away, and planning next trip !!!!

True, the post is about what they are doing in wet weather - and I should have added that option. I’m a volunteer locally and many of the local organisations and know that scouts and guides in particular, wouldn’t be as vibrant were it not for life time scouters/guiders who are still there in retirement - not as grandparent helpers (though many have DGC in the organisations) but as committed volunteers.

Well- my parents do what they do every single other day. Out to the shops before 10.30 for the day's dinner, coffee and cake at a cafe then home.

DH is retired and does what he does most days- takes the dcs to school, then does washing, preps dinner, goes out on his bike or watches youtube channels about DIY that he then gets around to eventually.

That's an absolute mountain - well done for staying the course! It really is a mission getting residence in CE now but doable if you dot the i's and cross the t's. Prep really does need to be measured in years ahead rather than weeks or months!

Anyone mentioned sex???

I go for a run (year round, five miles a day), and if it's grey and wet I take the dog too. She doesn't like warm weather but she can run miles when it's cool. Then home, dry off the dog and either do a spin class or head to stables and have a ride. By the time I'm home again it's time for a shower, sort out the house, maybe pop to the supermarket or meet up with a friend for a coffee, walk the dog, then have a well deserved sit down with a cup of tea.

I am retired, but have a WFH job which I do first thing in the morning when I wake up for a couple of hours. No idea how I ever found time to go out to work, to be honest.

If you are my mum, you'd be doom scrolling on your phone with morning tv in the background before going for a nap (to rest from all the doom scrolling). Whatever you do, please keep busy!!

Sorry, I wasn't meaning much by it. Personal circs may have made me a bit bitter..

I already do some volunteering - but sometimes it also feels like work (eg charity trustee).

But, it is important to have plans so you don't just have doctors and dentist on the calendar.

In generations gone by you could have expected DGC to turn up around the time you are 60, and all live in the same town, but society not like that as much now

My parents are retired and they're busier than me!

They do all sorts - running (dad), hiking (mum), theatre trips, the cinema, coffee or meals with friends, volunteering, yoga, pilates etc. Mum joins me at work (dog walker) for a day a few times a month too.

It always amazes me when people can't think of things to do that aren't working for an employer. I can't even list things as it would be endless.

It amazes me more when they then hurl abuse and call people boring and when asked what they’d do, say keep working. With some nonsense about enhancing other people’s lives.

thats the saddest bloody thing. That you’re so bereft of a personal life you’d rather keep working as you can’t think of what else to do.

You don't need tons of money, though. Galleries and Museums are free, except for special exhibitions. I can get a bus free with my OAP pass to a zone 6 station. Then off-peak tube to Zone 2 and then use my fold up bike to cycle to The British Museum or Camden market or The Wallace Collection. With homemade sarnies and a flask of tea, I have a day out in London for a tenner. Another secret Mornington Crescent is Zone 2.

Im happy pottering at home - in fact if grey and wet it’s perfect! I crochet and read and it’s great not even having the pressure of a ‘fine day’ to get out and about.

My mother joined an art group that has nearly as much intrigue as the Thursday Murder Club. They’re having an exhibition in a castle today and she has been worrying about what pictures to show for weeks. The group has given her a whole new lease of life. They have a busy WhatsApp group, coffee mornings, and book swaps. She’s started dressing in quite bohemian styles. It brings her so much joy!

Exactly. How bloody depressing must your life be if you can't think of anything to do except paid employment?!

It’s important to have indoor and outdoor hobbies. I had almost 8 weeks away in our motorhome last year when the weather was good. Lots of swimming in the sea and hiking. Then when the weather is bad there is reading, films, video gaming, board games, going out to dinner, quiz nights. Also we did most of a Swedish death clean when you declutter with a fine tooth comb over the winter. Plus I do voluntary work when I have spare time. I did 16 hours this week over 3 days.

I only retired on Friday so haven’t done it yet but, when I’m not travelling or visiting friends, I expect to be doing one of:
decorating (my whole house)
Bee keeping
gardening
running
practicing karate
sorting stuff for the parish council (pot hole surveys, water quality surveys etc)
trying new recipes
making jam, chutney, cakes, liqueurs

Two days in, I spent yesterday helping at the village fete and today painting the bathroom ceiling and at a karate class.

Tomorrow I’m taking a bike to be serviced and shopping for birthday presents. I have always worked full time but I think I shall rather enjoy this. ☺️

I have another 2 years to go until retirement. I am looking forward to spending more time on our allotment. More time to sow seeds successionally in autum and spring (we have a large polytunnel).

As we harvest things I want more time to preserve things so that we have produce to enjoy through the winter. Currently we waste a lot because we havent time to deal with everything.

When not doing allotment related things I want to spend more time sewing.