Things to Do When You Retire

The first word that comes to mind when I think about retirement is 'funny'. The reason is that I have seen a large number of people having completely contrasting and hilarious views about retirement and retired life in general, and I find it quite amusing, to say the least. There exist some workaholic geeks who have their retired life thoroughly planned, right down to the minutest detail. Retirement planning is always good, I have no qualms about that whatsoever, but knowing the exact date and time of your rain gutter cleaning session in 2050 is a bit too much. At the same time, there also exist some 'lost community' members who are absolutely terrified at the thought of having nothing to do once retired. And quite recently, I came across a bunch of jokers who were already looking forward to days of retirement, even before their career actually began!

So what kind of a person are you? Are you the type who is forever engrossed in endless thoughts about the different things to do in retirement? Or are you one of those lost ones who have absolutely no plan about post-retirement life whatsoever? Well, for the sake of all you geeks, jokers, 'lost community' guys, and the remaining normal ones, here is an interesting list of things to enjoy after retirement.

Get Involved With Charity: Now that you are free from the hassles of work, you can devote as much time as you want to charitable causes. You can do volunteer work with different charities, NGO's, and in the process, do your bit for the betterment of society and the under-privileged.

Start Teaching: With all those years of work experience behind you, you can opt for a teaching job, guide the younger generation, and share your ideas and experiences with them. It can surely benefit those who are new to their careers and it will give you a good deal of satisfaction as well.

Travel the World: You should definitely place this in the Top 5 of your to-do list. Travel to different countries, explore different places, study their cultures, see new things... It can be really, really satisfying and enriching.

Learn a New Language: If Penelope Cruz's sexy accent always inspired you to want to learn Spanish, but you never could find the time to do so, what better time than now? Put your free time to good use by learning any foreign language of your choice. It could surely come in handy if you happen to tour that particular country somewhere down the line.

Pursue Your Hobbies: All of us have our own sets of hobbies which we would have loved to pursue seriously all life long. Alas, due to our professional careers and work pressures, most of them remain relegated to the background. Now's the time to reignite the flame and follow your heart! Doing what you most love, always gives joy that is unparalleled and unmatched. If it is singing that you always loved, follow those magical melodies and cut your own album! If musical instruments happen to fascinate you, just go ahead and learn one! If books were your best buddies once upon a time, it's time to renew your friendship! Join a book club and get back to your love for books. Music, dance, acting, theater, art, reading... whatever it may be, now's the time to do it.

Spend Time Gardening: If you have a lush green lawn and a spacious backyard, you can always indulge in some gardening. It will be a welcome breather and a very relaxing activity indeed.

Get Into Sports: Who says sport is only for the young generation? There are plenty of sports activities and tournaments that are conducted specially for senior and retired citizens. Golf, swimming, and even running could be great options for you to choose from. Remember those famous Grandpa and Grandma marathons? Well, you can certainly draw some inspiration from that!

Pilgrimage: If you are a religious person, then this is the best time for a pilgrimage. You can make use of your free time to visit religious places and seek blessings from the Almighty.

Buy a Beach-side Villa: If sun, sand and surf is what excites you, go ahead and buy a beach-side villa. These are your golden years so why not make the most of them? If you are a nature lover, you can opt for a nice country-side farmhouse or a cozy cottage up in the mountains.

Become a Freelancer: If you still have the urge to work a little bit, there is always the option of becoming a freelancer. You could try freelancing in Internet jobs, or even start a home-based business.

Whatever it is that you choose to do, always remember to stay fit and healthy through regular exercise. And above all, just relax and take it easy. Retirement is meant to be enjoyed, so make sure that you make your list of 'things to do in retirement' as positive and exciting as possible.

Oh, and in case you were wondering all this while what category I belong to, here's a little secret - I'm one of those who belong to a new hybrid category, one that is specially reserved for geeky-lost jokers!!