I've been retired for 3 years and am only 53 years old. One thing I seem to struggle with on an almost daily basis is: what to do each and every day. I don't have "long time" hobbies like fishing and golf.
So, I ask, what does your "normal" day look like? I do like to hike and woodcarve, but not every day. I am definately not into watching TV during the day. I figure my days are finite and don't want to spend them watching reruns. I enjoy watching in the evenings, just not during the day.
Any ideas?
THX in advance.
bob
2008 Dodge 6.7L diesel, 4X4 auto 1 ton dually.
2005 Keystone Montana 3500RL.
Retired September, 2005.
See our adventures at: www.mytripjournal.com/fulltiming
there is an almost unlimited list of volunteer activities you could do,
from little league coaching to visiting the sick in hospitals or shut ins
or your local library
or be a wally world greeter, ha ha
TexasShadow
Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE/ 3126B Cat
BMW K75 on Rear Carrier
Jeep Grand Cherokee Toad
M&G aux brake system
Datastorm 3990
Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.
Bob, you really need a hobby. Take up photography and join some camera clubs. Join or form a card club where you meet weekly to play cards. Get involved knowing your computer and how to fix both software and hardware problems, and offer to help friends. Join some RV groups and attend functions. Buy a motorcycle and go riding with friends. Buy a Jeep and join others touring the desert or mountains as a 4 wheel drive group. Get up and go walking early for an hour or so with a friend, then go out someplace for coffee. Don't just sit around and get old. Good luck.
Holiday Rambler Navigator DP, Mustang Convertible, and Honda VT1100C Shadow.
With your background in ATC, how about something along those lines - or, either conducting training classes for pay or volunteering.
I was sorta like you, retired at 52 - so I bought a small business in an unrelated field and never worked so hard in my life. Didn't make much money but it was rewarding in other ways. Stayed with it for seven years then sold.
Next, even though I was already a private pilot, went ahead and accumulated additional ratings up through CFII and MEI. (That will keep you busy for awhile).
I think most of us hate "make do" work or volunteering just for the sake of something to do.
We all need to attach value to our time and as a retiree, sometimes thats difficult..
'02 Beaver 40' Patriot Thunder
CAT C12 455hp
Jeep Grand Cherokee Ron & Jane 2007 - 08
Hi Bob,
I just turned 65 and have been retired for over 6 years. When I am at home (I have a house with a yard) I spend a lot of time outside just keeping the place spiffy.. cutting grass, looking after flower beds, etc. I also do my own vehicle repairs.. changing oil, brake pads, re-packing trailer bearings, etc. I have a basement workshop where I repair just about anything that gets broken (including stuff from the granchildren). I help out the neighbours whenever someone needs a small project done etc. I'm also into digital photography so I spend some time on the computer with that. When I'm RVing (about 4-5 months of the year) I think of mods to make to the trailer and then work on those when I'm not out fishing or doing other important stuff like sightseeing etc. I can honestly say that I have never been bored and if I get to the point where I've finishing something, I can always find another thing that needs to be done. If you want a project.. I'm currently looking for someone to wax my fiver!!!
1960's: Tents.. 1970's: Soft top & Hard top P/U.. 1980's: 17' RV.. 1990's: 24' RV.. 2000's: FINALLY... 2002 Cougar 276EFS; 2002 GMC 2500HD Ext Cab 4x4; (Nfld/Labrador-Yukon/NWT/Alaska-Gaspe', Que./Florida!!)
Another thought is to start a "blog". Share with others what you do and see each day. There is a blog, which you may already know about, "Tioga and George". He faced the same issues you mention, and started his blog. Sharing with others his full time life changed his whole view on life. Each day he posts pictures of where he is, what he is doing. He takes us to the Ford dealership to get his heater core replaced, takes us to the ancient civilization sites in the Yucatan Penninsula, etc. He just shares his day with us each day. Sharing his life with us, and allowing us to see his daily life through his eyes has made each day more interesting and fulfilling for him, plus he earns Google Adsense income each month. Something to think about. There are numerous daily blogs being published daily by fulltimers and I find most of them very interesting.
I have been retired for 3 1/2 years and am still working at doing nothing all day and will continue to do so until I can master it. It's been a losing battle as it seems like there is always something that breaks around the house, a weed or two that grows in the garden that needs pulling, a lawn and garden that needs watering, which results in a growing lawn that needs mowing, bushes and trees that need trimming, a hummingbird feeder that needs refilling, a meal that needs preparing, dust that accummulates on shelves and coffee table that needs dusting, laundry that needs washing and drying, carpets that need vacumming, floors that need cleaning and waxing, bills that need to be paid, bathrooms that need cleaning, a dog that needs to be walked, e-mails that have to be read and answered, grocery shopping, sweeping the walkway and porch, washing the windows, washing and or waxing the vehicles and RV, performing maintenance on vehicles and RV, taking my Harley for a ride.... well you get the picture. "Bored" is not in my vocabulary.
I want to leave this earth quietly in my sleep like my grandfather and not like the hysterical, screaming passengers riding in granddad's RV just before the big crash.
Offline
