How to Stay Busy During Retirement

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"You cannot rest from travel- you have drunk life to the lees. All times you have enjoyed greatly, suffered greatly, both with those who loved you, and alone... How dull it is to pause, to make an end, to rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!" If this excerpt from the poem Ulysses by Lord Alfred Tennyson epitomizes you, you can take inspiration from this article.

Steps

1. Whenever you feel like doing something, but do not have the time... take a notepad and write it down! Save this notepad away... this will be "100 things to do after I retire" list. Many times we forget to record our desires, and so end up forgetting them. Don't let it happen to you!
   
2. Pursue your passions: Paint sunsets, sculpt , sing, learn Tai-chi,buy a telescope and explore the skies.
   
3. Read books on your interests, expore hitherto unexplored genres like Science Fiction or Romantic. Read on different topics like Gardening or Politics.
   
4. Travel to those oft-desired places , which you used to dream about. Have you tasted the chocolate of Switzerland, drunk the wine of Burgundy, and undulated at the nature-based health resorts in India? Have you fished at Florida?
   
5. Experience Nature: Walk leafy paths , watch the moon, feel the wind on your face. Meditate on the sun-soaked grass.
   
6. If you follow a religion: Devote your time to it, proselytize others and spread your religion.
   
7. Have fun with you little ones: Your grandchildren will be your afterlife to you after retirement- you'll live through them. It is worth taking out some of your valuable time for playing with them, watching them grow, helping them learn.
   
8. Take proper health care: Some of your time may be spent at the cardiologist or the podiatrist, depending on how healthy you are. Look after yourself.
   
9. Join special groups meant for your age group: You'll find many people there passing through similar experiences. If you have problems they will provide you with support, and guidance.
   
10. Subscribe to a magazine for the elderly: Such magazine exist and are targeted at you. Take advantage of them.
    
11. Clear up the slate: It is best to resolve any misunderstandings, or resentmens that might exist in others. You don't want to die being misunderstood.
    
12. Write an autobiography: With your long years of experience, you will surely have a lot to share which will be immensely helpful to others. Even if you feel you have nothing to share, just start writing one, and you'll be surprised at how freely the words will flow.
    

Tips

• Do not worry if you find yourself empty. Use these times to meditate and think about your life. If thinking about life depresses you, then think about someone whose life inspires, fills you with pride. If you do not have someone like this in your personal life, find it in famous folk's biographies.
  
• You do not have to retire from active work completely. Many old people are still more active than some indolent youths. George Bernard Shaw, for example, was a prolific writer till he died, at 94.
  
• If you are from India, find 5 children who cannot afford to goto school and teach them the basics of Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.
  

Warnings

• If by any chance you find yourself depressed due to a lack of activity call someone who loves or sympathizes with you over, or contact one of the many help centers for the elderly.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Buy a Variable Annuity to Supplement Your Retirement Income
  
• How to Retire in Your 30s
  
• How to Plan Your Retirement
  
• How to Apply for Social Security and Retirement Benefits
  

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