Filling in the hours

Do not worry about it. It's more time to enjoy doing what you want, or nothing.

It's perfectly ok to spend time doing nothing - get to know yourself. x

I took Early Retirement at 50 as DH had retired (at 65), I became his carer eventually but at least we had time together which I wouldn't have had if I'd continued to work. I don't get my State Pension for another 3 years but have a small Civil Service Pension & benefits, not wealthy but I can get out to enjoy life.

I was widowed at 57 (2013), in 2015 I moved to be nearer DD & DGS, new area, had to make new friends, explore new activities. I have joined a couple of Meet Up groups, plan to join WI, started doing a Pilates class. I love cooking & gardening. I read, do crosswords & sudoku. Also watch the dreaded daytime tv. I'm also lucky that I still drive.

I love my new life & whilst I miss DH I'm embracing my freedom, sometimes it means going outside my "comfort zone" . I'm sure you'll enjoy your retirement & find lots to do

I can't retire yet but my sister has and she loves it and I have to keep telling her to stop feeling guilty and enjoy her free time although she still fills it, I can't wait to think of no one but myself and oh

Last week I had a check up with a consultant after a minor op. Having examined my hand, he looked up and said to me 'are you still working?', to which my answer was 'I haven't got time'. His reply 'that's what all retired people say'

Must admit I’m not struggling to fill the time, but I do feel a lack of company and conversation. I had envisaged retirement as a time to travel and go on days out, and do things together, but this hasn’t happened. My OH has a full social life in the day, meeting his friends, and then retires to bed almost immediately after dinner. I do go to a couple of things on my own, but find it difficult.

It's like being in a fairy tale it's so wonderful!

When I was at work, I didn't realise what goes on Monday to Friday daytimes in terms of leisure activities.

Bridge, bowls, am dram, U3a, art classes, exercise classes of all kinds, rambling, meals out, cycling... I could go on.

There simply aren't enough hours in the week. Honestly.

You don't have to fill every hour of the day Poppyred take time out just to be. Don't rush into things straight away, enjoy taking a walk, a leisurely look round the shops, read a good book. As time goes on you will find things which interest you, classes, voluntary work, visiting new places.
It's a good life being retired, you have earned it so enjoy.

Thank you so much for your advice and encouragement! Don't feel so worried now, you have all given me loads to think about.

I found I enjoyed my one day off when I dropped to four days a week, but did seem to spend most of it catching up on household jobs. Now I've had the luxury of full-time retirement for 2 1/2 years and never been so happy or so pleasantly occupied. As others have said, it does take time to relax into it and realise that it's perfectly alright to spend the afternoon reading, or whatever. Online, free Future Learn courses (as suggested by Luckygirl) are generally excellent and I'm enjoying the very flexible volunteering opportunities which our local RVS offers. Enjoy your time off, Poppyred!

Poppyred, just think of all the things you have often wished you could do, be they casual or regular, but you couldn't because of pesky (albeit enjoyable) work. Now you can indulge yourself. I see you are only putting a toe in the water so that makes it even easier to phase yourself in gradually. Bet you'll be looking for even more free hours very soon. Certainly hope so. That's how it worked for me. Bliss. And...... I had dreaded retirement. How wrong can one be?!!

I don't know how people find the time to go to work frankly.

I am retired and busy, but with time to do crosswords and play scrabble! but I think it feels better to have things in your life which are challenging, like learning something new, and also things which give to other people , like voluntary work. These things keep your mind and heart alive and give you meaning. In Japan retired people choose new 'work' - for instance growing organic vegetables and selling them in a local market, writing a book, making pottery, volunteering, or something else which gives them something worthwhile to get up for in the morning. It probably helps them live longer and have more energy and enthusiasm in their later years.

I retired from full time work five years ago, reduced my hours to half time which I loved, kept my NHS job. Then retired almost fully and work occasionslly. I do some voluntary work, look after grandchildren, garden, walk the dog, meet friends. BUT I don’t feel I have a ‘role’.

Would love to feel that I can just roll out of bed, potter, etc. I applied for another part time job, well qualified for it, only to be told (after ten months of form filling etc.,) that I’m too old, very disappointing. My sister in law is 70+, loves her grandchildren and also loves her part time legal job.

Perhaps we are all different? And perhaps I need to settle down and start acting my age ....... or my shoe size!

Have a go at family history. You can do a lot of research at home, then there should be a local family history group with a centre you can go to for advice, use of any records they have and make friends with. Local Women's Insitute meet on an evening, sewing groups, exercise group.

How about your local U3A? You may find that there are so many things on offer that you can’t do them all!?

I'm in a similar position to you BlueBelle. I don't have a husband, live alone and rarely see my sons who live some distance (one abroad). Have gone back to part time work which thankfully gives me a little income (which is very welcome) and gives some structure to my week. I do occasionally go to Meetups (mostly women but that's OK) and a ballroom dancing class but that is only in term time so am missing it like mad now. Would love to have a significant other to cherish.

Since retiring I don’t seem to have enough hours in the day, Don’t worry you will soon be occupied doing things you want to do & enjoy.
I would say look at clubs etc in your area give everything a go, you will soon discover what you like & what you don’t.Make the most of it you deserve it.

Now is the time to consider taking up any hobby you never have had time for while working, or learning a new language, keeping a pet. In short anything that you have always wanted to do, but never had the time or energy for.

Don't worry, something will come to mind if you really start feeling bored.

Bluebelle, have you looked to see if there are MeetUp Groups in your area ? They do all sorts of things to interest everyone. Retirement certainly is a big adjustment for us all and I think we all need time to get our heads round it. A lady said the other day on here that she feels guilty doing nothing. I was so lucky getting voluntary redundancy from many years in such a stressful job, witnessing misery, hardship and heartbreak most days. I recall shortly after I left, sitting on the beach at the back of my house, with my 5 GC playing in the sea, sun was shining, it was peaceful tranquility. I felt so overcome to be away from the pain of my job forever, I just sobbed as if my head and heart needed to let it all go. Luckily I had dark glasses and a big floppy sun hat on, so the kids couldn’t see my distress ! But I have never looked back and I so feel for my old staff who I still meet up with for meals at times. I do casual work now invigilating in exams so now have new friends there to socialise with. I am grateful to be free of work now as I have an elderly infirm Mum (88) plus my brother has just been told his cancer is terminal, so more life challenges, but at least I now have the time to help them. I now have 12 coming for an Easter Egg Hunt in the garden pm so off I go again !

Prepare before you retire. Join an evening group, see what courses are available next September, remember what hobbies you had before children, think about exercise, maybe a dog.
You've taken the first step by talking to people already retired!

Don’t worry because I’m one of “the how did I find time to go to work “ club and when I retired I was really concerned about how I was going to fill my time!

After a busy working life, kids etc, you know, the full catastrophe, I just love the sheer luxury of having the time to be a bit bored sometimes. Ahhhh.....

Make plans of what you would like to do when you retire. The world, or your home is your oyster. I personally decided as I wasn't one for gadding about, That I would be able to knit all the lovely things I didn't have time to do, I also started making greetings cards, I got out my recipe books and cooked and baked to my hearts content. There are always friends and neighbours that appreciate a home made cake, loaf, or even a carton of homemade soup. You don't need to sit around and wait for someone to do something with. Get of your bottom and enjoy yourself.

Coconut is right. See this as the beginning of your new life. Since retiring I've been able to live the life I used to dream of. I now write books, three novels published to date, am involved in the local arts scene and volunteer as a helper with a drama group. The one thing I would have wanted to do was more travelling but OH has not been too well so that has limited the amount we've been able to do. Whatever your dream now is the time to follow it and if you haven't a dream, then sit back, relax and ....