My advice to retirees: It’s better to be too busy than not busy enough

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Idle hands are the devil’s playground.

Before retiring in 2019, I attended a number of “preparing for retirement” seminars. Most often these were organized by financial institutions that wanted the attendees to enroll in one of their investment programs. When reading AARP and the financial pages of the newspaper, most retirement advice still centers around financial needs - how much will you need, will it last your lifetime, how can you protect your savings, how much can you withdraw each year?

What is insufficiently discussed is how one spends one’s retirement time. For me, a blank date on my calendar is worse than a balance on my credit card.

My pre-retirement life was very, very busy. I had a full time job as a school tech director. I wrote monthly columns and regular magazine articles. I published several books. I spoke at state, national, and international conferences about ten times a year. I held offices in my local Kiwanis club. And tried to spend as much time as possible with my family. Oh, I mowed a big lawn, shoveled a long driveway, and cooked many a supper. 

Suddenly, few of the obligations of my working days were there anymore. And one can only watch so much TV, read so many books, or take so many naps. Here is how I fill my days:

1. Volunteer. I give rides to those who can’t drive volunteering with a non-profit. I drive a shopper bus for a senior living center a couple times a month. I now am a Certified Ombudsman Volunteer, visiting and advocating for assisted care facility residents. I lead hikes for a state outdoor club. I probably average 20+ hours a week doing volunteer work. I would advise finding activities that suit you. I spent time as a substitute teacher and a volunteer grocery shopper and found I really didn’t enjoy either job so I quit them. We should all look for ways to expand our volunteer experiences. They not only help others, but help ourselves as well.

2. Exercise. I have a routine. Three workouts a week at the local YMCA of an hour each (weights and cardio). I walk at least 3 miles three or four times a week. It’s the rare day I don’t do an hour of exercise. It’s good not just for one’s physical health, but one’s mental health.

3. Socialize. I have regular meetings with friends each week or month. I spend a lot of time with my significant other. I go to Rotary meetings twice a month and volunteer on occasion with them. Many weekends involve group hikes. I chat with people at the Y.  And one of the nice things about giving rides to others is that you get a chance to visit with them and get to know them a bit.

4. Travel. If the body and the pocket book are up for it, I advise going places. I like traveling locally, nationally, and internationally. I enjoy active trips that involve hiking or biking. Increasingly, I appreciate guided adventures like those provided by Road Scholar. Good to see the world a bit and give the brain a bit of a workout.

One activity which has been on my “to-do” list is to start taking classes again. Not sure why I’ve not been more proactive about this. Our universities offer free classes for seniors as do many other organizations. I don’t really want to do online learning from my recliner. Maybe 2025 will be my learning year.

So anyway, it’s good to have a full calendar. I thought of this yesterday when a ride I was to give was canceled and a visit to my senior center was rescheduled due to a COVID outbreak in the building. Suddenly a full day of commitments became vacant. Luckily, I had a dinner out and a live play performance to attend last evening.

Stay busy, my retired friends. Let’s all make the most of our remaining days years.