For those of us who hold down steady, 40-hour-a-week jobs, retirement is not just a dream; it’s our end goal. The thought of finally laying down your tools for the last time on some sunny day in the distant future is a pleasant one, and it’s what keeps a lot of us going when the work is particularly hard. For some of us, it’s more than that. It’s a reason to get up in the morning, and the reason we keep on going.
Once you actually reach your retirement, however, you may realize that you haven’t really… planned anything. You may realize that, after all these years of waiting for your retirement, you haven’t actually thought about what you’re going to do for the duration of it. Sure, there are things you want to check off of the list during your golden years, but how are you going to pass the time in between those landmark trips and events?
In order to avoid spending your retirement passively sitting on the couch watching TV as so many others do, you’re going to need an engaging, productive way to spend your time. In other words, a hobby! With the help of a good hobby, you can spend your free time (which you now have in ample supply) in a fun and constructive way!
Of course, not all hobbies are the right fit for those who are… advanced in years, shall we say? For those with aching backs and arthritic joints, hobbies such as cycling or rowing aren’t likely to be as much of an option as something a bit less exerting. So what are some hobbies that you can enjoy at any age, be it young or young-at-heart? Let’s find out!
Hobbies for all
When you hit retirement, there’s a decent chance you’ve got two things in more abundance than you had them before: time and money. With these resources in greater amounts than you’ve ever had them, you’ll likely be able to enjoy some hobbies that previously weren’t an option due to their cost- or time-intensive nature. Well, that’s about to change! Here are some hobbies that anyone with the necessary time and money can enjoy.
Photography
As anyone who has purchased a camera in the past 10-15 years can tell you, cameras and camera equipment do not come cheap. But that doesn’t matter; you’re retired now, and for what is perhaps the first time in your life, you have the disposable income to explore a hobby that might get a bit expensive!
If you’ve ever wanted to explore your artsy side and show the world how you view your reality, or just want to finally capture photographs of nature and your surroundings, now is the time to do it. With a DSLR Camera, some high-quality lenses, some auxiliary equipment and an online course or two, you can become the amateur photographer you always wanted to be!
For those who grew up in the era of film, we’ve got good news: film photography is back in vogue! If you never really managed to get the hang of digital photography tech and are longing for the old days, you’ll have little trouble finding other like minded photographers who enjoy shooting on film just as much as you do.
Whatever type of photography equipment you choose to make use of, whichever subjects you are happiest capturing, we can wholeheartedly assure you that photography is one of the best hobbies out there for retirees. It’s easy to learn, it requires very little physical exertion, and it’s a joy to do. There’s virtually no reason why you shouldn’t become an amateur photographer!
Real estate investment
Maybe you’ve never really had an artsy side. Maybe cameras and photography just aren’t your thing. That’s ok; it takes all kinds to make a world! If your interests fall more on the financial and analytical side of things, we think we might just have the thing for you: real estate investment. With your retirement money, your newfound free time and your substantial intellectual faculties, you might just be able to make a killing in this game!
Now, if you never considered doing business as an investor before, that’s ok; it’s not exactly the first hobby that springs to mind when discussing pastimes of retirees, after all! But don’t write it off just yet. With some careful research and a little bit of time spent learning the ropes of real estate investment, this might become your favorite hobby!
For most people, investment as a hobby simply isn’t an option. For you however, it’s a great way to put away some extra cash in your free time! Whether you find your niche in buying and reselling older homes or renting out apartments, real estate investment is more engaging than you might have ever imagined.
If this hobby sounds like something you might be interested in picking up, find a real estate agent in your area and see what’s on the market. This local realtor will tell you all about the ins and outs of investing, and help you through the first steps towards becoming successful in this field. And who knows? You might even end up becoming a part time realtor!
Angling
While real estate investment might not be one of the first things that springs to mind when discussing hobbies for retirees, angling is! Fishing is one of the most popular hobbies among retirees, and for good reason too. It’s relaxing, rewarding and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to get started in. It’s perfect for anyone with some extra time on their hands!
If you’ve never gone fishing before, that’s ok. It’s a pretty easy hobby for beginners to pick up! After buying a pole, reel and some basic tackle, you can be out on the water catching beautiful aquatic fauna in no time. We wager you’ll enjoy it a lot too; there are few things that are as relaxing and cathartic as spending a day out by the lake, casting your line and pulling it in.
Once you’ve gotten some experience with the hobby, you might enjoy taking things a step further by purchasing a boat and trying some deep water fishing! This will kick things up a notch, with larger catches, more challenging fishing spots and a higher skill requirement. And that’s not even considering how fun it is to go boating!
After you’ve been an angler for some time, you may find yourself wanting to move somewhere with easier water access that allows you to enjoy your hobby more often and more fully. If this happens to you, why not move to a place that’s perfect for anglers, such as the city of Miami FL? You never know; you might just be packing your bags and moving out before too long!
Video games
Bet you didn’t see this one coming! While debates rage over whether or not video games cause violence, there’s no denying just how fun and immersive video games have gotten over the years. And, with your new retirement money, you can afford the latest and greatest in PC and console gaming hardware!
While it may not seem like the most obvious hobby for retirees, video games are a surprisingly great hobby for retirees. It’s relaxing, it’s easy to get into, and it’s not nearly as expensive as a lot of other hobbies. So why not give it a try? All the kids these days are doing it; there has to be something to it, right?
One of the coolest things about modern video games is the sheer variety of genres and experiences on the market. From simulation titles that allow you to experience what it’s like to fly a plane or drive a semi truck to action-adventure role playing games that lead you through intricate stories, you’ll never run out of new games to keep you entertained.
There are a lot of different options when it comes to video game consoles and PCs. Many video game titles are exclusive to one console or another, so those with the money to do so often purchase more than one console in addition to a gaming PC. Do some research and figure out which system is best for you; we promise you won’t regret it!
Gardening
We get it; not everyone is cut out for these technologically advanced gadgets and do-hickeys. If the fast paced and overwhelmingly colorful innovations of the 21st century just aren’t to your liking, we’ve got the perfect hobby for you. That’s right; it’s gardening! With a history that spans millennia, this humble but satisfying pastime is due a lot more credit than many give it.
There’s just something about growing your own produce that is so immensely satisfying. No matter what station you come from in life, where you live or what your other interests are, gardening is something that just about anyone can enjoy. It’s simple and straightforward to do, and it’s one of the most rewarding ways to spend your time!
If your living situation doesn’t seem particularly conducive to this hobby, don’t worry; there are still options you can try, even if you live in an apartment or aren’t allowed to garden outside! With technology such as indoor hydroponics and micro-gardens, you can grow a surprising volume of produce in the comfort of your own home!
Regardless of how you choose to enjoy the simple pleasures of gardening, there are few things that compare to how enjoyable it can be. It’s hard work, to be sure; but once you reap your first harvest and enjoy your first meal made with ingredients from your own garden, you’ll experience the satisfaction that results from a job well done.
Conclusion
Once you reach retirement, you might be surprised by how easy it is to feel like you’ve got nothing to do. We hope we’ve done something to remedy that with this article, and given you some ideas as to how you can spend your time in a fun and productive way. This is just a starting point though, so feel free to get out there and discover other hobbies yourself!
