Bye-Bye Boredom! 5 Ways to Conquer Boredom in Retirement

Aah…the dream of retirement! So many people imagine what it will mean to finally bid adieu to the 9 to 5 grind—no boss, no clients, no students, no parents, no team members, no shareholders. Just lots of time to do whatever, whenever. Sounds perfect, right?

That newfound feeling of freedom can be absolutely fantastic at first. As time goes by and it becomes the “new normal,” however, that feeling starts to fade. For many, this leads to a growing longing for something more meaningful.

As humans, we often feel the need to engage in productive activities. In fact, our physical and mental health depend upon it. Incorporating enjoyable, productive activities into your routine will allow you to approach each day with excitement and enthusiasm. Believe me, doing this will make your retirement years even more remarkable!

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Pursuing a Fulfilling and Purposeful Retirement

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking “It’s okay to do nothing. After years of hard work, I’ve earned it.” While that might be true for some, it’s essential to do some soul-searching and determine if doing nothing truly brings you happiness. If not, it’s time to explore new ways to feel productive and fulfilled during your retirement years. Failure to do so can lead to boredom which, in turn, may often lead to depression.

Remember, no one can tell you what productive activities are right for you. You have to decide that for yourself.

5 Ways to Conquer Boredom in Retirement

Ready to get those creative juices flowing and crush boredom in retirement (or better yet, stop it before it happens in the first place)? I’ve compiled 5 ideas for you to consider. Take a look and see if any of these pique your interest. Who knows, you might even be inspired to come up with your own exciting ideas!

1. Search for a Fun and Fulfilling Part-Time Job

I know what you might be thinking—the last thing you want to do after retiring is to go back to work! Allow me to explain. If you’re in a good place financially, any income you make now would be a great bonus. Plus, wouldn’t it be wonderful to do work that you genuinely enjoy without worrying about promotions or earning potential?

Unlike your previous job, you now have the freedom to set your own terms. You can decide how much you work, where you work, what you do, and when. Why not take some time to explore different ways of earning extra income? Just be sure to review your plans with your accountant to ensure everything is in order.

Remember, earning additional income in retirement can be a fulfilling way to stay engaged, maintain social interaction, and stay productive, while also providing a financial cushion or funds for charitable giving. Don’t be afraid to give it a try!

older woman smiling at the camera and holding a clipboard and pencil

Some options to consider:

leverage the skills from your pre-retirement career to find a similar position where you have more control over your schedule and pay
look around your community for local small businesses that could use temporary or seasonal help
consider doing something related to a hobby you’re pursuing (woodworking or crafting, for example)

For more on this topic check out my post, “Find Work You Love and Enjoy a Fulfilling Retirement.”

2. Volunteer in Your Community or Local Neighborhood

Chances are, when you were working full time your daily activities revolved around work and family leaving you little time to get involved with community activities.

Now that you have the luxury of time, consider getting more involved in your community or neighborhood to keep boredom in retirement at bay. Plenty of places are always looking for adult volunteers:

churches
animal rescues
schools
food banks
voting centers
retirement living and senior communities
SCORE (the organization that provides business mentorship to small business owners)

group of volunteers packing boxes. older woman facing the camera and smiling in the foreground

Some neighborhood volunteer ideas to consider include:

Dog walking — Think of the people who got a dog while they were quarantining during the pandemic and who now have to go back to work. Those pups are probably in need of a good walk!
Shopping for an elderly neighbor — This doesn’t have to be a regular commitment. If you’re planning a trip to the store, see if you can pick up a few things for them as well.
Neighborhood clean up — If you go out for regular walks, consider bringing along a bag and gloves to pick up trash along the way.
Keeping an eye out for your neighbors — Let your neighbors know you’re home now during the day. They might need someone to accept deliveries, pick up mail, feed pets, or greet service people like the furnace guy.

If you think you’d like to do volunteer work, check out my article, “Is Volunteering After Retirement a Good Idea?” to help you decide if it’s right for you.

3. Uncover a Hidden Talent or Develop a Hobby

Are you feeling lost when it comes to exploring hobbies or uncovering your hidden talents? Maybe you’ve never had the chance to explore them before. Don’t worry; there are plenty of resources available to help you get started.

Start by checking out YouTube for inspiration. You’ll find tons of videos on a wide range of hobbies and activities. If you want to take things further, consider signing up for a course on Skillshare or Udemy. Skillshare even offers a free trial period so you can explore different topics without committing to anything long-term.

In addition to online courses, many cities also have continuing education programs that offer affordable classes on topics ranging from artistic endeavors to business skills and more.

For more ideas, be sure to check out these articles, 3 Inspiring Creators Help You Discover a New Hobby and Ultimate Guide to Hobbies for Seniors which include:

outdoor activities
physical activities
leisure activities
activities that can help you lead a healthy lifestyle (ex. yoga, dancing, Tai Chi)

laptop computer screen with the Skillshare website on the screen

4. Keep Learning

Learning new things without the pressure of a test can be incredibly fulfilling while also improving your mental health. This can be similar to discovering a new hobby or talent, but it’s not exactly the same. Sometimes we may want to learn something out of pure curiosity, without any specific reason or goal in mind. However, you never know where this new knowledge may take you.

Technology can also be a valuable tool for learning and exploration. Rather than fearing new developments like AI and robotics, why not embrace them? You can use this opportunity to challenge your mind and combine your years of experience with new knowledge, potentially leading to exciting new opportunities. Udemy, Skillshare, and YouTube are great resources for expanding technical skills.

Another way to explore new subjects is through The Great Courses Plus program, which is designed for learning just for the sake of learning. After years of studying to finish school and get a job, it can be refreshing to learn purely for enjoyment.

If you want to amp up your learning even further, consider spending time with others who share similar interests by joining a book club or taking an in-person group class.

laptop computer with a networking call on the screen. green coffee cup next to the computer

5. Build a Plan for the Future

When you were working a fulltime job, you probably planned your days very carefully. While you don’t have the same planning pressure in your retirement life, spending your time in retirement doing things that fulfill you does require some degree of planning.

Put your project planning skills to work here and embrace this with the seriousness it deserves. If you need some help planning, check out my free Guide to Block Planning that will help you plan out your days so that you can live your life with intention.

What Does Feeling “Productive” Look Like To You?

Waking up each morning knowing you have a purpose to your day is so fulfilling. You have so much to offer yourself, your family, your community, and the world around you. Your purpose is not tied up in the job you left behind. Rather, your purpose is deep inside you just waiting to be discovered!

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” (Maya Angelou) (make a quote block)

Treat yourself right and spend some time thinking through what purposeful activities work for you. Retirement means having more freedom to decide the what and the how. From there, liking yourself just falls into place.