How do you fill your time?

Like you I was in a professional career and have done lots of work related study and exams.
Despite needing to 'chat' a lot with my job, I've never been any good at small talk.
I found an interest in learning how to do patchwork.Its in a group but you don't need to chat as we are all busy trying to do things.
I've found that having a shared interest where we are all learning it's easier than having to 'chat'.
I've thought about volunteering as there are Lots and lots of different opportunities out there.
Good luck!

Have just seen your link to the Ladies Probus Groups SadiesNan!! I didn't realise there was one for women!

ps have you thought about woodwork? Making a bird table could be a good project to start on

and a friend did reupholstery classes.

Ideas coming thick and fast now, I may try it myself. The dining room chairs need re-covering.

I've had some success finding some new friends as I suddenly had more time to fill and was feeling quite lonely. Togetherfriends worked for me, they match you with women of similar interests, age in the same area. Made some good new friends that way and now have lots of friends to meet up for coffee with.

My weekly activities are choir, knitting group, walking group and a weekly meet with ex teaching colleagues. Once a month I read the local newspaper onto tape for those with sight problems. I could, if I allowed myself, spend the whole morning doing the puzzles in the daily paper - something I never did until I retired. I also look after a grandchild one day a week. I truly don't get bored, luckily. I take a lot of photographs, so sometimes find time to transfer them onto iPad. I enjoy watching some TV, but rarely during the day.
Baking can take up some of the day. I don't often complete the domestic tasks ,that I have assigned myself for the day! Sometimes I pop in to see my elderly neighbour, as I know she's always looking for company, or take her shopping and to appointments.It's a balance of doing things for other people, doing some useful things, with some self indulgence thrown in.

Could'nt agree more go for it. With your background experience you will be a boon

Skeeek1. I can never see or hear the word 'endorphins' without thinking if the film 'Postcards from the Edge' with Merl Streep!

Sorry about typos, it is 3.20am after all!

Hi Sadiesnan, photography is a great hobby as there's heaps to learn, you get to go outside and see the beauty in things. You can either go alone or with a group, its great to have a show and tell at the end when you put the photos on the computer. The NZ summer is keeping me busy too with trying to keep the garden alive and the sheep in the right place. And then there are grandchildren! Think I'm due for a day off. feel a bit knackered!

So sorry that you were awake at 130am and so annoyed about that text.
I think the main thing is what would you like to do to fill the time and how to build a life for yourself. I agree about the coffee, after about an hour I feel I need to get on with doing something. And I do find this time of year difficult as I can't get out in the garden.
I think a mix is good. Some exercise, swimming or something, then learning a topic and something social.
It is very much a case of what you get pleasure from. In an ideal world what would you like to do ?
If in doubt, go out.
Have a good day .

I have been signed off work since early Dec and am not due to go back for another month. I like routine so I have needed to create a new one.
I am also a list person. I researched ways to help yourself cope with stress and one of the suggestions I have adopted is making a list of 5 achievable things every day and ticking them off. My lists tend to be simple and very generic and can be achieved in any order -today's looks like this:

Visit Gransnet

Clean and tidy an area

Take a walk

Cook something

Read something

So this is a very flexible list. Today my tidying will be kitchen-based - there are a few cupboards that need rearranging, but if I just wash up and wipe down the surfaces that will be fine.

I am trying to make a point of exercise every day - this means I tend to walk into town -25 mins away- and just buy what I need for that day.

This makes sure I have to go out the next day too!

I am watching my budget so lunches and coffee dates out are changing into providing at home - good friends understand.

It has made me think about what future retirement may look like and someone wise pointed out to me that you have more time, but often less income so it is important to find things that cost little or nothing to do.

I have joined a book club and my local library, bought those freezer dishes where you can save a left-over portion of food. I am cooking m9re from scratch and enjoying the thrift. I also charity shop and see how far £5 can go as a little challenge once a fortnight.

These things are making me content for now.

I totally understand how you feel. I took redundancy at 60 then spent the next five years keeping busy with looking after the grandchildren a minimum three days a week. Now they are at school and my husband not too well and not wanting to do much I find the days can be long.
I have not found the complete answer but I am getting there.
I joined a local leisure centre and swim two or three times a week , sometimes more sometimes less.There are coffee morning and other things happening there , but like you this is not for me .
I have two good friends and we meet regularly in the evenings and have really good conversations.
I do some part time work on an' as and when' basis which although not well paid means I am not committed to set hours and within reason can refuse the ones offered.
I have always wanted to write, and every now and then my idea for a book comes out and I work on it .
If you are happy using a computer there are companies that offer rewards for surveys which can be interesting.
Have you thought about investigating your family tree?
that can be addictive.....
I do hope you find what you are looking for.....very best wishes

I am doing a short 6 week course at the moment with UNSW - good stuff and free!

I have to say the lovely replies and suggestions on here are just the best. Thanks very much indeed x

whitewave what's UNSW? When I googled it all that came up was Uni in Sydney, Australia - have you moved?

Imperfect27 you are a good example to us all. I wish I had your self discipline. Unfortunately I have shops 8 minutes walk away!

Ah starbird - I am really not that virtuous . I have been out, but decided to take the car as I got engrossed with some home-baking and then realised I needed ingredients. but I didn't want to spend an hour and fifteen minutes getting them!

To try to compensate, I have decided to home-exercise today - which for me means several bursts of running up and down the stairs a few times, til I feel it doing me some good. After all - I have got to make up for the apple pithivier and spicey fruit buns I am going to consume ha ha.

This all started as a 'Use up some Christmas leftovers' project , but has got a bit out of hand tsk tsk.

? Whenever I have a good walk I reward myself with a chocolate bar!

well today I have been to drop OH at bus stop,by car.

Picked doggy doo up from garden,thats my activity,there was a lot but everytime I went out it was raining,

Have sat and chatted with E as she isnt at college on fridays.

played with the dog

been on granset

I intend to read later.

Money is in short supply due to retirement although OH works.

Actvities in the village include book club,WI,munch n mardle and as a joint interest OH and I have joined the indoors bowls....all for very little money,today is a bath and lounge clothes because if I go out will spend money and use petrol..

will drop E off at her friends,she is staying overnight and will pick OH up later from bus stop and cook.....dont have much energy in january ...but do go up and downstairs a lot ..mainly because I forget what I have gone up or down for .

Ha ha - I have done 2 bursts of ups and downs so far ... but I have also finished off some Christmas left-over Turkish delight ...and then there's the buns ... oh dear!!!!!

crisps 2nd bag ..if eating crisps where an olympic sport I would be a world class champion...once I start ..

Great thread for someone with retirement imminent..62 working full time.. all I hear is cliche ..you'll wonder how you ever fitted work in!

min sorry not to have replied earlier.

Yes it is that uni. I am doing a course on line. It is so interesting particularly as people from all over the world are taking part and we are chatting to each other.

Thanks NanKate for your suggestion about the WEA! I knew of them but wasn't sure of what was on offer. I looked on their website, found a course I liked the look of & started today on a course on local history which is my passion.

I took early retirement in the summer as my DD was due to have her first baby. As she lives a 2 hour drive away I wanted to be free to spend time with her whenever I could & not be restricted by work. Whilst I love my time with her & my DGS I have felt lost at times without the structure & sense of self-worth that work gave me. I've made several enquiries about voluntary work & am waiting to see about these. I think it takes time to adjust if you have always worked but there are opportunities out there once you start to look. It was a thrill to be able to attend the course today as in the past I would have seen such things & felt frustrated that I couldn't go as I was at work! ?

I'm working my way through (page 4) all the interesting, helpful posts here and was pleased to read that I'm not the only one finding transition from worker to retiree hard. Trouble is, many of the groups and classes that interest me meet in the evening. Don't want to sound negative but it's the days that need filling ... Ho hum!