Retirement may mark the end of one era, but it’s a brand-new beginning of another season of life. It’s your opportunity to plan your wish list, pursue your dreams and create new memories.
Some retirees have a vibrant vision of the lifestyle that’s waiting on the horizon. They know where they want to live, how they envision spending their days, who they’ll share the experiences with and what they’ll do to make those retirement dreams a reality.
If you’re still working through some loose-laid plans, worry not. We have plenty of inspiring ideas for things to do in retirement so you can start manifesting your own dreamy retirement lifestyle.
Retirement is a launch pad, not a landing
As your career winds down, you may find yourself mentally shifting gears into a slower pace of life. If that’s the reward you’ve been working toward, embrace it with gusto. But if there’s something that doesn’t feel quite right about dialing it all back, there’s no reason to pump the brakes.
Sure, you may take a week or two to bask in the joys of an empty inbox and a wide-open calendar. But then, give yourself permission to bypass the stereotypes and treat your retirement as a chance to change gears and travel your own curious, courageous path as you contemplate what to do in retirement.
After all, you have lots of living to do and — at last — the freedom to do it on your own terms.
First, take time to rediscover yourself
One thing many working professionals have in common is a sense of self that is deeply intertwined with their career persona.
Taking charge of your retirement means getting back to your most authentic self. It’s unearthing passions you tamped down because you didn’t have time and shining a light on your true interests because there’s nothing left to encumber you.
Retirement gives you permission to start embracing what excites you and pursuing it with gusto, whether it’s on your own, with a partner or with new friends you discover as kindred spirits along the way.
Get inspired: ideas for things to do after retirement
Taking steps toward a bold new you means building bold habits so you can map out the retirement you deserve. In addition to daily mindfulness exercises that reinforce gratitude and courage, you might find it helpful to create a vision board or bucket list to capture the retirement ideas that resonate with you most strongly.
Big adventures
Travel is one of the most popular choices of things to do in retirement, and with no work waiting for your return, you can finally take on some of the bigger journeys you’ve been longing for. You could visit an international destination or plan an extended holiday for a multi-city tour overseas. Some seniors make it a special project to visit all of the national parks. Others plan their adventure around the mode of transportation, such as a car or RV road trip or a cruise with multiple port calls.
National explorer
Travel doesn’t have to be grandiose to be enjoyable. Taking trips to everyday destinations with family, friends, spouses or solo can be just as satisfying as a big adventure. You might visit a place that holds special meaning for your family or a spot you always wanted to see. It may simply be a family reunion. Regardless, getting out and seeing the country gives you new perspectives and the chance to experience new things. You might also come across a destination that gives you new appreciation for a lifelong hobby or interest.
Cultural awakening
No matter where you live in the United States, you’re sure to find new cultural experiences nearby. You may have the chance to dine in restaurants you never even knew existed or tour a museum that pays homage to the original settlers of your community. Local performance theaters and art galleries are a delightful way to get to know your community’s inhabitants on a deeper level. Historical sites dot the map and give you a deeper understanding of how modern society came to be.
Lifelong learning
Just because you retire doesn’t mean your thirst for knowledge and information goes on hiatus. Nurturing your love of learning can be as easy as joining groups, signing up for classes or locating local or online communities that specialize in a topic that’s of interest. Put a bold twist on your educational endeavors by creating your own club and inviting others who share your passion for a particular topic to join you.
Get guidance for the journey
Remember, there’s no reason you have to plan this bold new stage of life on your own. You’ll find plenty of resources to help you discover things to do in retirement, get organized and implement your big retirement plans.
Some of the resources you might tap into include a life coach or therapist, travel agent, financial advisor, senior living counselor and continuing education leader, among many others. Knowledge and information will empower you to make bold decisions about your retirement.
Your retirement, your terms
Ultimately, your retirement is yours alone to define. Your bucket list may not even be bold by someone else’s standards, but it’s uniquely yours. The most rewarding retirement is one that allows you to live with meaning and purpose, so you feel fulfilled and inspired to make each day better than the last.
If you’re ready to bring your bold retirement dreams to life, we invite you to explore Riverside Senior Life Communities. Learn more about becoming a resident or contact us to schedule a tour.