So You’re Retired - Now What? » Aged Care Resource

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So You’re Retired - Now What?

Saturday, October 18th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Some people have trouble going from the hectic pace of working to the idyllic lifestyle of retirement. Some people miss recognition from work, even, and feel they don’t contribute to society anymore. But as with all things, it’s all how you look at it and what you do with it.

You’ve worked hard for a long time and now you get a chance to make choices instead of always doing what someone else wants. Take a deep breath and slow down. No more rush hour traffic. Take a slow drive somewhere you haven’t been before–you have time to try new things.

In the summer when it’s hot, you probably think about how nice and cool winter was–and vice versa. When your toes were cold you probably longed for July. The same is true for retirement–focus on your memories of some of the stressful times at work. Retirement is the reward you get for surviving those.

Have you just retired and are feeling kind of worried? It’s likely due to the big life change you’ve just undergone. You no longer have to show up to work first thing in the morning. Even though it’s a confusing time, contemplate the situation and you’ll discover you can adapt to retirement just fine.

There are lots of things you can do to enjoy your retirement more:

1. An amateur is someone who does something for fun–it’s from the Latin word for “love.” What do you love to do? Sports? Crafts? Cooking? Take a class and try something new–wood turning or oil painting or even playing the fiddle.

2. Now is the time to explore the abilities you have. Maybe you have sung in the shower all your life. Now you might consider joining a choir or even taking voice lessons.

3. If you always wanted to volunteer at a church, hospital or animal shelter, but never had the time to do it, retirement opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Volunteering gives you the chance to help others and be a vital part of your community.

4. Where is that guy you went to high school with, who was so much to hang around with? What happened to your buddies at your first job? Now is the time to find out–and with the internet this is not hard to do. You can spend time renewing old acquaintances, reliving the fun you had, and making some new memories to cherish.

5. There are many travel opportunities for retired people, from Senior-Citizen discounts on hotels to tours designed specifically for retired people to teach you new skills and ideas. Find out what’s out there and begin to enjoy it!

About the Author: Are you nearing retirement and wondering how you will afford it and what you will do for fun afterwards? Please visit http://www.retirementviews.com where you can learn more about retirement planning, retirement savings and what to do during retirement.

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