Retirees Playground

[PacificWaves]

This is the thread for those who have checked out of the workforce and are enjoying life in retirement. How are you spending your free time?

Travelers, adventurers, golfers, artists, musicians, writers and poets, avid readers, volunteers, hobbyists, grandparents, walkers, hikers, joggers, cyclists, gym rats, fishermen, hunters, handymen and handywomen, early bird special seekers, and general purpose good offs, check in here.

 

[barefootgirl69]

Sounds like a fun thread. I'm not there, yet, but I'll give it a bump to keep it on the first page!

 

[PacificWaves]

Sounds like a fun thread. I'm not there, yet, but I'll give it a bump to keep it on the first page!

Thanks for the bump barefoot girl. I hope it catches on. I know we have a lot of retirees here, and aspiring retirees.

It’s a fun topic imo, and also an important one for those of us in our “golden years” as well younger people like you who aren’t there yet. I encourage ya’ll to think about how you’ll spend your time when the day comes. I spent my entire working life planning for the financial aspect. My goal was to retire asap and I was lucky enough to hang up my corporate cleats at 54.

But I hardly gave any thought to what I’d do when I reached my goal. Hitting the gym and spending more time hiking with my dog wasn’t much of a plan. The first few months felt weird and uncomfortable. All my friends were still working and I was drifting. Even my wife was getting frustrated with me “helping” around the house. Fortunately I got it together quickly and am having the best years of my life.

If this thread catches on I’ll share what’s making me bounce out of bed every day long before sunrise.

Spoiler Alert: It mostly boils down to treasuring time and love with family and old friends, and pursuing those latent interests and dreams that sat in attic of life throughout the working years. The payoff is you get to notice the beauty of all the little things that surround you.

 

[fool4u]

Not retired yet, currently under employed. My industry is taking hits from all directions. I make signs. Video display is taking over the top end, Cri cut and the like taking out the botom end. Now we are getting stung with extra taxes on the vinyls we use due to plastic waste. But any way enough of that.

From my current time under employed, I think it will be a full time job being retired when it becomes available to me. As work has dried up other stuff has just popped up to occupy my time. Motorbike has not been ridden in 2 months ( Summer in Australia) other stuff just happens.

 

[PacificWaves]

Not retired yet, currently under employed. My industry is taking hits from all directions. I make signs. Video display is taking over the top end, Cri cut and the like taking out the botom end. Now we are getting stung with extra taxes on the vinyls we use due to plastic waste. But any way enough of that.

From my current time under employed, I think it will be a full time job being retired when it becomes available to me. As work has dried up other stuff has just popped up to occupy my time. Motorbike has not been ridden in 2 months ( Summer in Australia) other stuff just happens.

Best of luck to you. I’ve worked for companies that got disrupted by new technology. Motorcycles are big part of my retirement. Started in my mid 40s before I retired and now get to go wherever and whenever I want. Take 2-3 week trips each summer exploring backroads of the US.

Wife likes having me gone, lol. She gets projects done when I’m not around. Part of a happy marriage for empty nesters in retirement is giving each other space.

 

[Jeanie99]

I am semi retired. Health reasons. It has been an adjustment

 

[barefootgirl69]

Best of luck to you. I’ve worked for companies that got disrupted by new technology. Motorcycles are big part of my retirement. Started in my mid 40s before I retired and now get to go wherever and whenever I want. Take 2-3 week trips each summer exploring backroads of the US.

Wife likes having me gone, lol. She gets projects done when I’m not around. Part of a happy marriage for empty nesters in retirement is giving each other space.

This made me think of "Wild Hogs".

 

[PacificWaves]

This made me think of "Wild Hogs".

lol. I kinda was “that guy” when I got my first motorcycle at age 45. I bought it without even knowing how to ride it. The dealership had to deliver it to my house and I learned how to ride it by reading the owner’s manual. Eventually took a motorcycle safety class, like three months later.

Joined a riders group and we rode our bikes on to the field of the local arena football league team before a game. We each had a cheerleader on the back and ride out as fireworks exploded. My kids were so embarrassed. I was wearing a white tee shirt with the logo of the high school football team I’d played on in the 70s, and my son was on at the time. And I was wearing tennis shoes. They were expecting a black leather jacket and boots like the other guys. FWIW, the cheerleader on the back of my bike said I was a lot like her dad.

Alls well that ends well. My kids are grown with families of their own. That first bike was sold and I’ve had several since. Still ride backroads all over the country. See places you don’t see on the interstates, and meet all kinds of nice people in coffee shops, gas stations and bars.

 

[barefootgirl69]

That sounds like a lot of fun @PacificWaves!

My Main Street is Rt66, and I'll sometimes take it to the next town over just to enjoy the drive. It's all still desert, but different sceneries and there's this local pizza place that's the best I've ever had.

 

[PacificWaves]

That sounds like a lot of fun @PacificWaves!

My Main Street is Rt66, and I'll sometimes take it to the next town over just to enjoy the drive. It's all still desert, but different sceneries and there's this local pizza place that's the best I've ever had.

Me, my wife, and our dog just finished a five day drive on I-40/Rt. 66!

We moved to Virginia from California a few years ago to be closer to kids and grandkids, and because we really like the area. Four seasons, lots of rivers and the Shenandoah mountains, historic places, Chesapeake Bay, and things like that, We kept the CA house because we have still kids and grandkids there too.

We drive to CA from VA and back at least once a year and sometimes a couple times. I know the desk clerks at each of the dog friendly Best Westerns we stay at. I love driving through San Bernardino, Barstow, Needles, Kingman, Flagstaff, Gallup, Tucumcari, Oklahoma City, Ft. Smith, Memphis, Nashville, and then up I-81 to Virginia. Never get tired of getting my kicks on Route 66.

I’ll wave to you the next time I drive by. You might even see me standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona.

 

[Erosfan]

I retired at the end of June 2025. I worked 54 years in the energy industry. I've been relaxing and doing very little. We did take a ten day trip to central Colorado in August.
I'm adjusting, little by little and enjoying my sexy lady.

 

[SimplyMsT]

I retired in Jan of 2025.

So far, it's been a big adjustment of having worked 30 yrs in higher education. Someday I miss it and some days I don't. I haven't really done much since, but I do like the freedom of being able to do what I want, when I want.

Perhaps I'll take a little trip somewhere for no reason at all ...

 

[PacificWaves]

I retired in Jan of 2025.

So far, it's been a big adjustment of having worked 30 yrs in higher education. Someday I miss it and some days I don't. I haven't really done much since, but I do like the freedom of being able to do what I want, when I want.

Perhaps I'll take a little trip somewhere for no reason at all ...

Go for it Ms. T!

I take a little trip by myself on my motorcycle every summer. I pick a destination and find backroads to get there with no set schedule. I’m usually gone 2 to 3 weeks and stay in hotels along the way. I like to stay in small towns off the beaten path and enjoy meeting strangers along the way at lunch counters, bars, gas stations, and other stopping points. I’ve explored countless picturesque places in all the western states, and now, having moved to the southeast part of the country a few years ago, am discovering new places.

Getting away on solo adventures gives me time to reflect on things and think differently. And my wife likes having the house to herself for a few weeks to work on projects without me in the way. These summer breaks are good for both of us.

 

[JessForFun37]

4yrs retired. single male love to travel. Exhibitionism when can. Enjoy discovering new forums. Meeting for a first coffee. Love that internal anticipation.

 

[beachlights44]

I retired in Jan of 2025.

So far, it's been a big adjustment of having worked 30 yrs in higher education. Someday I miss it and some days I don't. I haven't really done much since, but I do like the freedom of being able to do what I want, when I want.

Perhaps I'll take a little trip somewhere for no reason at all ...

I retired a few months before you. I think it is good to take some time for yourself after working all those years. I certainly did. Once the batteries are recharged I found a few new things. Now I can do what I want instead of what I have to. That’s a good feeling.