First year of retirement.

[LancashireButterPie]

After having to take retirement in December due to health issues, I'm now coming to terms with the situation and am looking forward to my first year of retirement.

We have a holiday in the med booked for April and are hoping to fit in a few days up in a Scotland in Feb.
I've enrolled in a yoga class and a learn to crochet course. Will aldo explore volunteering opportunities.

What are your retirement plans/goals for the new year?

Congratulations! I'm now in my 3rd year ~ I don't have any specific plans as I've settled into a nice schedule of crafts groups, dog walking with friends, meeting up with friends for coffee, holidays with friends and family, church activities etc.

The best piece of advice I was given when I retired was that you don't need to do anything you don't want to do! This isn't strictly true as I still have to do housework (unfortunately!) but I've tried a couple of activities which haven't turned out how I hoped so I just stopped going

Your plans sound lovely . . . hope you really enjoy them all

I rented a unit and now am working on a 1950s classic car, a 1960s caravan and a model railway. My wife is doing all sorts of craft work including needle felting and antique dolls and dolls house miniature. We are having the best of times. We also are members of the black country museum where we go regularly and also the Severn valley railway.

Oh and we go regularly to the Butlins adult weekends for the 60s, 70s and 80s.

I retired 6 years early in Aug , I've been sorting wardrobes n cupboards out & taking to charity shop or selling on Vinted, took up pilates, walking my sons dog, meeting friends for lunch or a walk , booked a couple of holidays with Hubby, a weekend away with my friend read loads of books & caught up on TV documentaries. Can honestly say I haven't missed work and I worked there for nearly 40 years.
Starting couch to 5k after new-year & looking forward to nicer weather & gardening.
Hope you have a long n happy retirement x

I finished teaching in Aug 24 so 18 months in. Holidays booked for 2026 - Kenya safari and Nordic rail tour. Also planning to walk Hadrians Wall - that is only at planning stage.

Will continue to improve my crochet and knitting. Plus doing some garden redesign.

Fun times and so much healthier and happier than when I was working full-time.

Dont overplan @LancashireButterPie this is your opportunity to explore new things and decide what you actually like doing. Enjoy your retirement transition

My DH and I have been retired for almost 4 years. For the first three years we went on 7 or 8 big trips a year. Next year we have some nice holidays planned but will do a couple less.
We have both joined a lovely spa and made friends there.
My DH has taken up golf and been a member at various clubs.
I see my friends, adult DC and visit my DM in her nursing home a lot.
We have cinema memberships and go about 5 times a month.
We enjoy costal walks especially with lunch out.

You are all making this sound very lovely. Thanks for the ideas and your positivity.

I retired in July from teaching.

I have been doing some supply work but only for 2-3 days a week.

Im loving being semi-retired. I meet with friends for coffee and lunch, I'm part of a Nordic walking group. I read. I'm catching up on box sets that my DP doesn't like.

We have 3 trips planned for 2026 and 2027 trips are in discussion.

I retired last May together with dh. I always make a plan for the week ahead so we have gym classes booked, walks, shopping, meet ups etc planned for. My husband needs routine for his MH. We have child care duties so we are always busy.

I’ll never be able to afford retirement, but reading all these plans is allowing me to live vicariously through you all. Enjoy your retirement!

@bushproblemsmy pension isn't great (under £20k) and I've been surprised how little I spend. I don't have a mortgage or debts so that does help.