Navigating Life After Retirement: Daily Routines and Enjoyment

Retirement is an exciting new chapter in your life, but one that often comes with the question of 'What do you do all day?' This is a valid concern and one that many retirement plans overlook. So, what exactly do you do in retirement once you've saved enough for a comfortable lifestyle?

Often, retirees don't have to do much, provided they stay active and engaged in activities that interest them. From hobbies and exercise to community work and socializing, retirees have a wide range of activities to choose from to fill their days. The key is to structure your day and do whatever makes you happy.

Sample Daily Schedule for a Retired Life

To illustrate this point, here is a sample daily schedule:

9a - 10a: Daily walk 10a - 11a: Breakfast read articles on Wikipedia 11a - 1p: Watch a movie 1p - 1:30p: Lunch 1:30p - 3p: Read a book 3p - 4pm: Go to the park 5p - 6pm: Go to the gym 6p - 6:30p: Dinner 6:30p - 7:30p: Facebook 7:30p - bedtime: As you please

Engaging in Diverse Interests and Activities

I have always had outside interests, from volunteering with my city’s police department Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to competing in sports and spending time with my grandkids. My wife and I also travel a couple of times a year, staying active and engaged with numerous activities.

To give you a clearer picture, let's look at how a typical day might be structured for a retiree. This retired documentarian here is having family over to play cards, cat sitting, and even visiting my boyfriend in rehab after a stroke. I visit him every day, and after his sessions, I take care of his cats and help him relax until he can drive again. I usually spend a week at a time visiting his farm fishing, camping, and spending time with him, and then return to relax at home for a few weeks.

Community Involvement and Social Activities

Retired individuals often enjoy spending time with friends and grandchildren. Additionally, there is plenty of community work to do, such as helping at food shelves or volunteering at church. These activities enhance your social life and help you stay connected with others in the community. For entertainment and meeting new people, people often join book clubs or community choirs. The options are incredibly diverse.

Remaining Busy: Just Like Being Employed

Many retirees are just as busy as they were when they were working. In fact, the list of activities is so long that by the time they finish it, they might need a nap. Let's focus on some common activities:

Physical fitness: Regular exercise, including daily walks and gym workouts. Financial management: Regularly reviewing investments and managing finances. Sports and games: Golf and sailing, as well as other outdoor activities. Social activities: Engaging in social clubs, book clubs, or choir.

Sample Routine in Retirement

Let's take a closer look at my daily routine as a retired person:

8a: Hit the gym for a morning workout After shower and dressing: Check emails and make plans for the day Walk the dog Email check and the Wall Street Journal Golf twice a week, socializing with friends Practice at the golf range Yard work on non-golf days Weekly sailboat maintenance Sailing if the winds are good, or wine and cocktail hour at the Marina if it's not Church choir practice on Wednesdays Reading books, especially bedtime

Remember, when you're retired, every day is a Saturday (except Sunday if you're church-going). Therefore, it's essential to plan your day to find reasons to get out of bed. A Day Timer can be very useful in organizing your day.

Cultivating Hobbies and Interests

Cultivate your hobbies and interests just as you would water flowers in a garden. Examples of activities that keep me busy include:

Investing and financial management Physical fitness and regular exercise Regular golfing and sailing Social activities, such as church choir and book clubs

By focusing on these activities, you can ensure a fulfilling and enjoyable retirement, just as you did during your working years.