Still, I can understand the appeal. Or maybe it’s just PBS talking. I’ve seen a lot of Viking River Cruise ads, so maybe MyPillow’s ads have the same effect on my brain as they do on the brains of Fox News viewers.
This is all a long, lazy, rivery way to get to the topic at hand. “What do people do?” do When do they retire? I’ve been acquired by the Washington Post, so now I have to figure out what to do with myself. Hundreds of readers have provided suggestions, so many in fact that we haven’t been able to respond to everyone who has written yet. (Thank you everyone.)
The main theme that emerged was that retirement is a great thing if you can afford it. Even if you land a high-status job that you love, you’ll quickly find yourself wondering why you didn’t take it sooner.
“When your career ends, you just have more time to pursue the passions you want to pursue,” he writes. jim crowka “And for me the key word for this is passion. Being passionate about what you do helps keep you energized and more resilient to change. People who have no passions outside of work or family seem to be most affected when work or family ends. ”
For some people, exercising that passion means immersing themselves in an existing hobby or exploring a new one. I heard stories of people who ended up singing, painting, writing, playing the ukulele, and woodworking (not all at once).
Many signed up for classes at local community colleges and through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
james conahan A man from Midlothian, Virginia, suggested learning a new language. “That would waste a lot of time,” he wrote. “I’m trying my hand at Irish, but it’s a challenge. If I live to be 150, I might be able to speak it half fluently. Adumole.”
James said it meant “good luck.” I didn’t check, so I hope it’s not actually rude.
Some of our readers say they got another job, but in a completely different field. They drove school buses and became substitute teachers. I heard this from a former Federal Aviation Administration lawyer who became a flight attendant at the age of 61.
Paul Conte The Eugene, Oregon, resident was 62 years old when he began the slow march toward full retirement. Paul wrote: “The most important advice I can give is to stay healthy (exercise, eat right) and spend time with nature (like your backyard garden or trekking in Nepal).” Everything else fell into place. Masu. ”
Steve Migdal A man from Annapolis, Maryland, wrote: Volunteering gives a person a purpose in life: helping others. Exercise keeps your body and endorphins alive and active. ”
Many readers said they volunteered their time at churches, animal shelters, and libraries teaching English to immigrants.
amy sheldon When she retires, she lives in Rockville, Maryland. retirement:”Part-time jobs, hobbies that turn into jobs, and unpaid volunteer work that is actual work are all prohibited. I ended up with a deadline and a boss hanging over my shoulder. ”
susan strange A man from Potomac, Maryland, offered a specific suggestion: “Gradually get rid of the ‘stuff’ in your house. This will be a great gift to your daughters.”
Theresa Metzger The Camano Island, Wash., resident previously worked as a change management consultant before changing careers himself. As with any major change, many people enter the retirement cycle through a cascade of emotions: shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, experimentation, acceptance, and flourishing.
“It’s normal to feel anxious at this point in your life,” Teresa wrote. “The trickiest part of this change curve you’re on is going from ‘depressed’ to ‘experimental.'”
Sadness and depression are inevitable and okay, she said.
“Take the time you need here to go for a walk, tidy up, meet up with family and friends, travel, paint the house, do anything that makes sense and refresh your mind and body. Allow me to start the rhythm,” she writes. “If this is starting to feel more boring than anything else, you’re ready for a ‘new beginning’!”
That’s the main theme that emerged from hundreds of readers’ posts. Once you retire, don’t jump right into something, even a Viking cruise ship.
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