Bored In Retirement?
Are you retired and bored?
Don’t worry.
You are not the only one.
Retirement boredom is a common problem.
Many people feel lost after the initial excitement of retiring.
After the initial honeymoon period many people feel bored and lacking a purpose in life.
Let’s look at why this happens and what can be done to fix it.
Why is retirement boring?
Firstly, retirement can be a big change in routine and lifestyle.
The things that used to fill our days no longer exist.
Here is a list of reasons why you might be bored;
- There is no longer work and the routine to keep your mind occupied.
- You no longer have colleagues to speak to.
- When working you only had limited free time so you probably only had one hobby or pastime.
- You now have 24 hours a day 7 days a week to fill.
- Without work you may have more energy and sleep less so again you have more time now to get bored.
- You might miss the challenges that go with work and the thrill of meeting deadlines.
- Retirement can leave you feeling lost and without a sense of purpose.
The dangers of being bored in retirement.
Boredom can really take a toll on your mental health.
You might feel depressed, anxious, or just unmotivated.
If you don’t stay active your health can suffer too.
But don’t worry, there are some easy ways to beat boredom.
There’s no need to be frustrated and fed up.
First, try setting goals and creating a routine.
This will give you some structure and purpose to your day.
Why not try new hobbies or revisit old ones – it’s a great way to feel fulfilled and happy.
You should also stay socially active, whether that’s through volunteering or joining clubs.
Don’t forget to stay physically active too!
Exercise is so important for both your body and mind.
9 things to try in retirement to avoid being bored.
- Start a fitness programme to make the most of your retirement. After all, you are the most important thing to spend your time on. Try to restart a physical activity that you used to enjoy but gave up due to the time pressures when working.
- Learn a new skill: Sign up for a class or workshop to learn a new skill. This can be anything such as pottery, woodwork or computer classes.
- Volunteer: Volunteering can be a great way to stay socially involved and to meet new people. Whatever issue you are passionate about there is usually help needed. Why not put your experience to good use.
- Travel: Use your newfound free time to travel and explore new places. Yes you can travel round the world but don’t forget you can do day trips to neighbouring towns, cities or nearby countryside too. Travel is available on all budgets. If you are lucky you might even have a free bus pass to try out!
- Look up old friends and family to increase you social activity. Start researching your family tree or try to reunite with your old school friends to see what they are doing. You might find that many are sharing the same experience of boredom as you.
- Reading is a great way to stay mentally stimulated. Join a library to give you a purpose to your day or sit with a Kindle and explore the world from the comfort of your sofa.
- Starting a small business can keep you motivated and also supplement your income in retirement. Try something that you are passionate about or that uses the skills you obtained in your previous working life.
- Start writing. You can write in a number of ways – a diary, a memoir, a blog, poetry or letter to friends and family.
- Join a local group or online forum that shares your interests. There are Facebook groups for all sorts of interesting hobbies which allow you to connect with likeminded souls.
Get rid of boredom and replace it with interests.
Retirement boredom can be a real problem, but it’s not the end of the world.
With a few small changes, you can create a fulfilling and happy retirement.
Check out the rest of the website for ideas and inspiration.
So get out there and start living your best life!
“Boredom: the desire for desires.” – Leo Tolstoy
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