I guess that if you are asking yourself “what’s a hobby”, it shows you don’t have any currently. I’m kidding of course, since everyone has at least one hobby, right? For men, that might be golf, or some sport that they played long ago and haven’t played since. That’s great, but what about starting a new hobby once you retire? If you haven’t thought about it much, you should probably start. Because if you don’t have any activities to keep yourself busy, retirement is a real drag!
hobby (definition from Merriam-Webster):
a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation
“Writing is just a hobby of his.”
“Her hobbies include gardening and bird-watching.”
How to find a new hobby, just google it right? Sure, you could do that. But why not start with your friends, look around and see what they are doing (if they are in the same age bracket as yourself ). A hobby is really anything you like to do for enjoyment, usually on a regular basis. That is a pretty wide open space to fill, right? You want to find something fun and relaxing, preferably something that you can do that isn’t terribly expensive, and maybe something you can do with others in order to make it even more fun. You don’t want it to be something that you grow tired of, either. Everyone is different, we all have interests that are varied and meaningful to us depending on many factors. So you want to exercise more? Jogging is a hobby that some swear by, but if your knees are bothering you (like mine do) then that is out of the question. How about a sport, such as golf or tennis, or pickleball – which is all the rage right now. That’s great if you have a pickleball court nearby, but if you don’t know of any it’s kind of tough to start that sport.
A good hobby does at least one of 3 things – helps you to stay mentally active, helps you to stay physically active, and hopefully helps you stay socially active. If you can combine all three into one hobby, so much the better! However, some hobbies don’t exactly fit all three categories and that’s ok too. I prefer hobbies that keep my mind sharp, but that’s just me wanting to avoid growing senile, which may still happen at some point but hopefully not any time soon. I enjoy reading books, learning new things such as languages, or listening to podcasts to keep up with what’s happening. As far as the physical aspect, going to the gym on a regular basis is certainly my preference, as it makes me feel better to be in at least somewhat good shape. Need some more ideas? Here is a small list of ones I found on the internet, hopefully you can delve into one or more of these.
1. Traveling – Many retirees take advantage of their free time to travel, whether it’s domestic road trips, international vacations, or cruises. They enjoy exploring new places and experiencing different cultures.
2. Gardening – Gardening is a relaxing and rewarding hobby that allows retirees to spend time outdoors, grow their own vegetables, flowers, and plants, and stay physically active.
3. Volunteering – Many retirees find fulfillment in giving back to their communities through volunteering. They might work at local charities, hospitals, schools, or environmental organizations.
4. Fitness and Exercise – Staying physically active is important for health, so activities like walking, hiking, yoga, tai chi, and joining fitness classes are popular among retirees.
5. Arts and Crafts – Creative hobbies such as painting, drawing, knitting, quilting, woodworking, and pottery provide a sense of accomplishment and an outlet for artistic expression.
6. Reading and Writing – With more free time, many retirees enjoy reading books, joining book clubs, or even writing their own stories, memoirs, or blogs.
7. Learning and Education – Lifelong learning is a common pursuit, with retirees taking up new courses, attending lectures, or learning new skills like a foreign language or playing a musical instrument.
8. Cooking and Baking – Cooking and baking become enjoyable hobbies, with retirees experimenting with new recipes, hosting dinner parties, or taking culinary classes.
9. Playing Games and Puzzles – Board games, card games, and puzzles like crosswords and Sudoku are popular for mental stimulation and social interaction.
10. Sports and Recreation – Golf, tennis, pickleball, fishing, and other recreational sports are common activities that help retirees stay active and socialize with peers.
11. Photography – Many retirees take up photography as a way to document their travels, nature, and special moments, often sharing their work online or with photography clubs.
12. Music and Performing Arts – Playing musical instruments, singing in choirs, dancing, and attending or participating in theater productions provide joy and community engagement.
13. Bird Watching and Nature Activities – Bird watching, hiking, and participating in nature conservation efforts are popular outdoor activities that allow retirees to enjoy the natural world.
14. Collecting – Collecting items such as stamps, coins, antiques, or memorabilia can be a fulfilling and educational hobby.
15. Genealogy and Ancestry Research – Exploring family history and creating detailed family trees is a popular pastime that connects retirees with their heritage and history.
16. Social Clubs and Groups – Joining clubs and groups based on shared interests, such as gardening clubs, travel groups, or hobbyist meetups, helps retirees stay socially connected.
17. Tech and Digital Hobbies – Engaging with technology through blogging, creating YouTube channels, or learning new software can be both fun and mentally stimulating.
There are probably hundreds of other hobbies in the world, some I have never even heard of most certainly. But if you want to learn and explore more ideas to find a perfect hobby for yourself, check out my book here for more ideas: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3S2V9VM
My opinion is that we should have at least one, and preferably more, hobbies or interests after we retire. After all, what else are you going to do all day?