Thinking about activities to do in your spare time? Here’s some advice from the book “How to Love Your Retirement” (Hundreds of Heads Books, www.hundredsofheads.com, $13.95), straight from people who’ve done it.
“The year before I retired, I got involved in cycling. After I retired, I had much more time to devote to it, and now I cycle competitively with other retired seniors. It gives you a great workout, and it’s lots of fun. The best thing, other than staying in shape, is all the wonderful friends I have made by doing it. If you can find something that keeps you active, healthy, happy, and stimulated, go for it.”
—R.D., Keezletown, Va.; retired for 2 years
———
“Don’t wait until after you retire to find a hobby. It’s not that easy to find something that you want to spend a lot of time doing; it’s trickier than it sounds. I have friends who like to golf, but when they retired, they found that they didn’t want to do it every day. For me, it’s gardening. I could spend all day puttering around out there, and most days I do.”
—Anonymous, East Palestine, Ohio; retired for 4 years
———
“Whatever it is you couldn’t do when you were working, do it now. The older you get, the more you realize that the old adage is true: Life is short. When you’re physically and mentally able to do what you want to do, do it. Don’t have regrets later.”
—Chalmers Gable, Marion, Texas, retired for 5 years
———
“I started running about 30 years ago. After I retired, I wanted to challenge myself. I ran my first marathon about eight months after I retired. Now I try to run five days a week. It’s my opinion that nobody maintains fitness for rational reasons. I say that because to do it, you have to make yourself uncomfortable. You have to be motivated by something else. In my case, it’s to be healthy and mentally fit. Running is what works for me.”
— James Evans, Republic, Mo., retired for 5 years
———
“One of my fields of expertise in criminal investigation was composite art drawing. Also, over the years of writing police reports I discovered a love of putting words together. So, from the first day of retirement I began to write short stories and do my own illustrations.”
— Bill Strain, Kerrville, Texas, retired for 6 years
———
“I was always handy and always wanted to try sculpting, but I never felt like I had the time or the opportunity. It’s been an amazing experience for me, and I’ve created some pieces that decorate our home. I’ve also continued to garden as a hobby. I’ve always had a garden, and I practically grew up on a farm, so this was important to me. My wife and I moved to an apartment complex, but the town has gardens that are leased for the summer. I grow vegetables, and I’m generally there a few times a week.”
— Charlie Hartsdale, New York, retired for 14 years
———
“I started volunteering with kids, visiting nursing homes, and assisting people with their grocery shopping and cleaning. I’ve never been happier. Helping others is absolutely my niche. Find yours and run with it.”
— Anonymous, Hershey, Pa., retired for 35 years
———
“I belong to three tennis leagues, I play golf two times a week, I belong to a reader’s theater group, I sing with a band, and last year I was in five plays. If you get hooked up with a senior center, there’s no limit to the amount of things you can find to do.”
--Janis, Cary, N.C.; retired for 8 years
———
“Eight or nine years ago I scratched my head and said, ‘What am I going to do when I retire?’ I’d always had an interest in painting, so I went ahead and started taking classes. I don’t consider myself a painter or an artist, but I’ve had a couple of shows. I’ve sold a few pieces at a very modest price from time to time. I like to be creative. It’s important to look forward and find meaning in this life of ours. Painting is a new challenge for me.”
—Roy Clary, Brooklyn, N.Y.; retired for 1 year
———
“The last thing you want to do in retirement is to sit around the house working or reading. Get up and out in the fresh air, even if it is just to take walks or ride a bike. Exercise cleanses the mind and body. I exercise at the YMCA, and play golf and platform tennis.”
—C. William Jones, Easton, Md.
———
“Play bocce: There’s much more skill involved in that game than horseshoes, which many of my friends play. And it just looks better. Probably the best part is that anybody watching you play probably has no idea of the rules, so they always think you’re better than you are.”
— Mark Toomey, Boardman, Ohio
———
© 2007, Hundreds of Heads Books, Inc.