How do you fill your days in Retirement?

[Blondiebeachbabe]

Just that really. I'm not quite there yet, but ideas are :

Breakfast
Join Bannatynes and go most mornings for a class, swim & sauna
Get a monthly cinema pass, and watch a few films a week
Lunch/dinner out

How do you fill your typical day?

I stopped working 3 months ago and had various project plans for the house and garden, spending a bit more time with my 80yo parents, and working on my own fitness having recently had breast cancer treatment.
I don't personally feel the need to have any massive purpose, I don't want to volunteer or take classes - I am quite happy killing time, reading, pottering in the garden, seeing friends periodically etc. My dad is the same.

Unfortunately my health and fatigue levels haven't gone along with my plans and I am finding it hard to get much done at all.

I try to have a good paced 45 minute walk every morning and do a home strength training session 3 times a week (having had a 24 session gym starter package as part of my treatment). To be honest this pretty much wipes me out for the rest of the day on those 3 days.
I play bridge one afternoon & usually 2 evenings a week.

My garden plans haven't even started as I don't have the energy, ditto the house things I want to do.
I'm going to have to find someone to do the heavy lifting on these projects.

My partner is still working full time, so joint holidays will remain at a working level and I have absolutely no desire to go away on my own or with friends.

Interesting to note from another poster that they are only returning to their fitness levels a year on. That gives me hope!

Basically I am happy to live a quiet life, but I'd like the ability to do a bit more at the moment.

Primarily, volunteering for two different organisations.
I still read a lot - always have done.
Away a lot, especially over the summer, including theatre trips and attending sports events.
Very occasionally, housework - I couldn't justify keeping my cleaner after I retired and, although my husband now does most of the cleaning, I join in occasionally 😂
Meeting friends - most of whom are scattered around the country, so lunch can be a 6 hour round trip.
Husband has his own hobbies, so mostly does his own thing, but occasionally we remember that we're retired, and go somewhere together.
And just enjoy a slower pace of life - the best bit is having time for that second cup of coffee at breakfast.

Was that PP me? I really underestimated how long it takes to start to recover from treatment. In the last couple of months (just over a year after active treatment ended) I feel like I've turned a corner. Haven't had to have a sleep during the day for ages. Be very kind to yourself, you are still recuperating!

This sounds like my perfect retirement.

I see it as living my life, not filling my days. I travel, meet people for coffee and lunch, read, look after DGC, visit family, do my hobby, housework whilst listening to stuff I like, chat with DH, watch TV when I want to, have a nap, go shopping, theatre and cinema… I bloody love it. I dont have a massive pension but I have total freedom .

I have two side hustles. I run an international antiques business and do private postgrad tutoring. I'm gradually winding down the antiques but I still enjoy the tutoring.

I got a dog!
Not only does it mean I now exercise much more than I did, even if it’s just walking, we go away every month for a few days to explore different parts of the country, go to dog fairs/country shows etc. I also probably speak to more people now than I did when working, the dog walking community is a large one!

Dh and I retired in December at 66. We have 14 short breaks booked this year, 11 gigs, go to Everyman every week and theatre every 6 weeks or so. Eat out once a week.
Dh gardens, I go to gym to do weights/ spin/ pilates. We can easily do 8 mile walks in the countryside.
I have no desire to volunteer as ive done plenty of that when younger. Its all about staying fit and healthy and enjoying life.
Dh has gc...I don't and won't be.

I love the freedom. I have picked up old hobbies (music) and taken up new ones (dance), joined U3A and do various things with them. Moved house and made new friends alongside keeping in touch with old friends, and being available for nice times and support with my DC. Like dogs but no intention of getting one as I like being out & about and free! I’m very happy.

Sounds fab.... just what I would envisage....

Dh and I are about to retire in August after running our own business for many years. We’ve both decided we’re not rushing into any planned activities/volunteering.

I’m just looking forward to doing things I usually enjoy- cooking, painting, gardening, meeting friends, seeing family, but not having to squeeze that all around work.

I can’t wait to do all of that in a relaxing way and I’m going to develop my skills in “pottering”!

I love being retired, it’s brought me such joy! Like another poster, I don’t see it as ‘filling my life’, rather as ‘living my life’.

Most mornings are spent doing bits of housework, reading, life admin, watching the birds, watering the plants, pottering and procrastinating.

A couple of days a week I volunteer with a local charity. I belong to a choir and have a role in running it which takes up time, too. I like to walk and to explore local towns and villages. I’m lucky in that there’s a lot of lovely country on my doorstep so there’s lots of potential there.

Then there are coffee sessions with friends, craft workshops, shopping, visits to family and ad hoc trips to squeeze in.

It’s a busy life!

My parents are well into their 70s and my mum is still very active. She used to be secretary for her local WI and bowls club, but doesn't do that anymore. My dad used to help tend the bowling green but he's too infirm now. Mum also used to supervise the community fridge but that's closed.

My mum goes to a book club, a craft club, and volunteers at a local community library. She is still on the WI. She goes to dinner with her former work friends once a month. She visits a friend whom she's known since starting work at 15. She gardens (though my brother, his family and I help now). She takes short trips away with her friends too.

Today I’m nettle pulling at the back of my three greenhouses. Slowly, stopping to watch the birds stripping the cherry tree. Now I’m having coffee and reading this twaddle. Must think about lunch soon as DH is still a wage slave and comes home for lunch. That’s no chore, we enjoy our time together.

So today I got up and did some jobs..laundry etc. Then we did the food shop, went on a beautiful walk for about 2 1/2 hours, called into the pub for one, came back and …relaxed.. 😜..and now we are having tea and watching the football

vs…me at work..stuck on Teams calls all day dealing with bullying bosses. No contest!

I retired from the NHS at 57 and always find things to do to fill my days.
I go to the gym 3 days a week and do classes ( 2 classes on a Thursday)
I like to potter in the garden
Look after my grandchildren 1 day a week
DH and I enjoy walking. We’ve got a lovely beach and promenade approx half a mile from our house.A National trust property with lovely woodland walks is also close by.
I play tennis when I can.
I do jigsaws while listening to music.I meet up with friends regularly for coffee or lunch.
I’ve upcycled furniture.
I love to bake and decorate cakes.
DH and I go to the cinema midweek during the day when it’s not busy.
I’m looking into volunteering at a local day centre for the elderly.
Not working means we can go away for a few days at short notice.

In winter use my reduced fee rail card to travel the UK visiting all the places I never had time to see when I was working. I do some kind of course every winter - have done stained glass, life drawing, have learned to play the guitar and speak French.

In summer I take the dog around the coast in my camper van where we paddleboard together, swim in the sea and walk miles before crashing out with some good healthy food and crochet/art/a book (that's me, not the dog). Sometimes I stay near friends and we spend time together, sometimes friends meet me and we camp together.

I love my home and garden and fettle away at them to my heart's content. I'm a member of a litter picking group and the in bloom team. When I'm home I swim with my swimming group, sing in the local choir and am part of a dog walking group.

I’ve been retired for a month. So far I have:
continued doing 2 exercise classes a week, caught up with friends I didn’t have time to see whilst working, gone on country walks with DH & DSs, gone to the beach, gone to see my DDad, read a lot (including finishing my book club book on time). Made regular trips to the library to get more books, cooked wholesome meals. In the next month I’m: going to Henley Regatta, going on a cruise, going to Latitude, going to north Norfolk and seeing more friends.

Forgot to mention that I went to the National Gallery & Portrait Gallery!

Thai makes me want to retire! Sounds amazing.

Up at 7 ish. Brew. Read the paper from cover to cover. Back upstairs. Shower, dress, take dog out for an hour. Home. Eat. Paperwork, light housekeeping. Shopping. Friend for brew. Plan holiday. Talk to DD on phone. Cook. Read. Watch Chateau DIY and marvel at the happy couples 🤔. Eat supper. Take dog round the block. Watch tv. Bed. Archers.

Other days, lunch with friends, theatre, garden visits, ballet, etc.

I used to volunteer at the Foodbank and for an online dog rehoming charity but ill health meant I had to give up.

I plan to play a lot of golf when I retire. Can’t wait!