You've been dreaming about retirement for decades, and now it's finally here? But suddenly you don't know what to do with all your time? Then maybe you just need a great hobby.
Now you can finally do all the things you didn't have time for before. What's more, whole new opportunities may open up. There are lots of creative and exciting activities you can do at home or on the go, either alone or with your partner.
How to find the right hobby: step by step
If you are a retiree looking for a hobby to combat boredom, there are many great options. Here are some tips to help you find the right hobby for you:
1. Reflect on your interests and passions
Think about the hobbies you used to enjoy and which ones gave you the most pleasure. Also reflect on your interests and passions.
Are you interested in art and culture, do you like music, are you good with your hands, or do you want to be physically active?
Make a note of these interests so you can use them as a starting point for your hobby research.
2. Search for suitable hobbies for seniors
There are many hobbies that are particularly suitable for seniors. Search online or in specialist magazines for relevant offers.
For example, you can take a course in painting, photography, or writing, learn a musical instrument, take up dancing or gymnastics, or simply join a needlework club.
3. Try out different hobbies
Try out different hobbies to find out what you really enjoy. Sign up for a taster course or attend a workshop.
This will help you quickly identify which hobbies suit you and which don't. You can also use your pension card to receive discounts at public institutions.
4. Use your pension card to get discounts
As a retiree, you can benefit from many discounts, which makes many of the possible leisure activities even more attractive. Be sure to use your pension card to take advantage of these discounts.
This card gives you discounted admission to many public facilities such as museums and swimming pools. The pension card is usually sent to you with your first pension notice and does not need to be applied for separately.
5. Stay flexible and open to new ideas
Stay flexible and open to new experiences. You may discover something you never expected when searching for a hobby. Don't be afraid to try new things and step outside your comfort zone. It can be very enriching.
Retiree hobbies: What can you do in retirement?
Theoretically, you can still do anything you feel fit enough to do in retirement. If you regularly feel drawn to being outdoors and around people, active pursuits in the city are a particularly good choice for you.
Many of these are also ideal for broadening your horizons and learning new things. Become an expert in a specific field or continue your education in a more general way! The following activities might be something for you:
- theater
- museums
- city breaks
- Study
- Physical activity
But there are also numerous ways to keep busy and have lots of fun at home. How about the following hobbies for seniors within their own four walls, for example?
- Solve 3D puzzles
- Cooking and baking
- playing music
Discover Europe and explore new cities
If your budget allows, you can also use your time as a retiree to finally travel to all the beautiful places you've always wanted to see. Traveling within Europe in particular is very convenient. You don't necessarily have to get on a plane to do so.
You can reach your destination just as easily by train or bus, and enjoy the view along the way. City tours are ideal for seniors with a wide range of interests. They offer impressive architecture, a wealth of culture, and culinary delights of all kinds.
Stroll down the Champs Élysées in Paris, sip a perfect espresso in Milan, or explore London's posh shopping streets.
By the way, many tour operators also offer special trips for seniors, where you can meet like-minded people and maybe make some new friends for life. Because traveling together is even more fun.
Visits to the theater and museum
But even at home, it is possible to embark on spiritual journeys and discover new things. Sometimes, a visit to a museum or theater is enough.
A beautiful concert can also enchant the senses. If you go regularly, it may be worth buying a season ticket. Otherwise, you can take advantage of the discount offered by your pension card in many places.
Many cities also have special museum days when you can visit for free or at a greatly reduced price.
Studying again in old age
There are many seniors who want to give it another go in their old age and decide to study.
Together with younger students, you can acquire new knowledge. Perhaps you have a particular hobbyhorse and have always wanted to learn everything about the ancient Romans or find out how the individual layers of the earth are composed.
Since you have already completed your professional career, you can approach things in a relaxed manner. You don't necessarily have to earn a degree. Simply take courses that interest you and experience university life from a new perspective.
Because many seniors take this step, there are now even universities that are specifically designed for older students. However, you can also simply enroll at a regular university. The prerequisite for this is, of course, that you have a high school diploma.
Exercise as a pastime—it's fun and healthy
At your age, you probably won't become a competitive athlete. Still, it can't hurt to stay fit. Not only is it good for your body, but it can also be really fun.
If you also go outside into nature, you can get plenty of fresh air and at the same time soak up the sun's rays to produce vitamin D.
Even though speed and strength decline with age, fitness can still be maintained at a high level.
Walking is always a good choice, but that may already be part of your daily routine. Many other endurance sports are also suitable, as they do not put too much strain on the body but still get the cardiovascular system going.
These include the following sports, for example:
- cycling
- swimming
- Nordic walking
Alternatively, you can also do strength training to strengthen your muscles.
These help to support your skeleton and can prevent many ailments.
Strength training should be tailored to your age. The best way to do this is to join a gym and get advice from a trainer.
3D wooden puzzle: The ideal hobby for rainy days
Solving a puzzle piece by piece until it finally forms a complete picture is not only fun for small children. Adults also enjoy this hobby. As a retiree, you now have plenty of time to immerse yourself in a motif of your choice for hours on end.
Enjoy a glass of wine and listen to your favorite music or an audiobook in the background. Time will fly by. The beauty of a puzzle is that when you're done, you'll have a finished piece that you can use as a wonderful decoration for your home. So-called 3D puzzles are particularly impressive.
These are made up of lots of small wooden building blocks that combine to form a 3D object. You can choose from a wide range of designs and pick one that you particularly like. In addition to enchanting animals, there are also decorative clocks, vehicles, ships, and buildings available.
All of these wooden puzzles feature pieces that fit together perfectly.
Some of them have such sophisticated mechanics that they can still be moved after assembly.
How about a rotating globe or a dinosaur that can be controlled by remote control, for example?
This will surely delight your grandchildren when they come to visit.
Become a professional chef
Cooking and baking are undoubtedly among the more affordable hobbies for seniors. That is, at least, as long as you don't buy extremely expensive ingredients.
Now that you're retired, you can take your time with your dishes and create real works of art. To refine your skills, you could take a cooking class, for example, where you can indulge your passion for cooking together with others.
In addition, you can of course find lots of information about cooking and baking, as well as delicious recipes and instructions, on the internet.
Cooking videos, for example, are a great way to learn how to make a new dish. They guide you through the recipe step by step. Cooking and baking are not only a great way to pass the time, but also to delight your children and grandchildren at the next family gathering.
Learn an instrument
Do you think you're too old to learn an instrument? You're wrong! Even in old age, it's still possible to acquire this skill. Of course, this works best with a good teacher.
But you can also teach yourself to play some instruments. The following are particularly well suited for self-study:
- recorder
- piano
- guitar
Learning to play an instrument has numerous benefits. Not only does it allow you to create your own music, but it also has positive effects on your health.
Because playing music actually trains the brain. The combination of seeing, hearing, and executing movements requires it to perform a cooperative task, constantly creating new connections.
So you could definitely say that learning an instrument keeps you mentally fit. If you enjoy sharing your passion with others, you could of course join a band or orchestra. With a little luck, there may be special offers for seniors in your area.
But it's also great to make music with other age groups! Not only do you get to work on your musical skills, you also get to socialize with lots of people.
You may also be interested in:
- Hobbies for couples: Unforgettable moments for two
- Switch off after work: 9 tips for shutting down
- Brain training for seniors " 5 exercises for mental fitness
- Hobbies for men » The ultimate list for inspiration
- Employment for seniors: For a fulfilling life in old age
- Stay mentally fit: The best exercises for everyday life
