Dont want to go out

Enjoy your retirement, you've earned it! I 'potter' too, mainly because I go off at a tangent. I try cleaning and tidying and I come across something, a photo or a book or something, and that's it ... off at a tangent.

oh wow, that sounds amazing! you definitely deserve it after all those years working. sounds like it's just what your health needs too. enjoy it!

muscles, not myscles ?

Retirement involves a period of adjustment, of finding ones feet in a new situation, and I think good advice is not to rush into too many things at once, but allow yourself time to adjust to this new phase of your life and then do only what it is that you enjoy, and if that involves periods of pottering at home then that is absolutely fine, and there's no reason to feel any guilt for doing so.

It is important to try and get outdoors each day of course, for exercise and fresh air, whether that's to potter in the garden, go for a walk or maybe a swim or similar, if you are physically able to do so in order to keep active and keep those myscles working, but off "doing" things such as being on committees, joining groups, volunteering, isn't for everyone and if you prefer pottering in the home rather than doing these things, then that's fine, too.

I dont feel like a rabbit caged.
Im just enjoying my home at the moment and dont feel the need to gad about but I expect i will when ive finished decorating and chucking out stuff.
Im not just sitting like a zombie and the walls havent closed in yet.

I think you risk getting stuck at home and being less and less willing to go out. I know several reclusive people who rarely venture out since retirement. You’re missing so much by limiting yourself to four walls, like a rabbit caged in a hutch for life.

I too had migraines, usually on a Sunday for me as Saturdays were as hectic as the working week shopping, housework etc. Sunday was my relaxation day and was often marred by migraine. I have not had one since I took early retirement [after 40 years of full timework]. I also noticed I haven't had a bad cold or chest infection which I was prone to since leaving work 6 years ago. I used to suffer chest infections at least twice if not 3 times a year. No longer travelling to meetings on the train and working in germ den offices. It's wonderful. I also spend a lot of time pottering about at home and love it!

It sounds a bit unbalanced to me, and maybe you will grow restless eventually. But one thing I learned from Lockdown was that I relish being out of doors, being in nature and getting fresh air every day as well as physical exercise from having walks - I think it's healthier to spend time out of doors every day, and to do some exercise - so I think going out regularly is probably a must for a healthy life, even if it's just to the park, library, swimming pool you don't need to go to the shops or be around people if you don't want to. But staying indoors all the time isn't healthy certainly

I finished work 4 years ago and absolutely love being at home pottering about in the house and garden. Do not feel guilty, do what you want to do and enjoy your retirement.

I love being at home and pottering too. I never feel like going shopping but I do. Food shopping is a necessity not pleasurable for me. DH retired at the same time due to ill health and I have been looking after elderly relatives, sadly now all passed but now I intend to potter and enjoy without feeling guilty. Enjoy, it is your time now.

Rosy cheeks-just enjoy your home and your time! I am much the same-I love pottering and reading and just taking time to think and mull over ‘stuff’! I am single now, have my three children and four grandchildren near me (I know I am so lucky!) and never really get lonely. I relish these quiet days-I can always go out if I get a little stir crazy. To enjoy simple pleasures and peace is a great gift. Enjoy!

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Just enjoy! There are no "shoulds" any more.

I always walk every day, pottering is all well and good but muscle wastage is a major issue as you age and leads to falls.Just keep moving is my motto!

Keep calm and potter..?

Just enjoy it! You will know if / when the time has come to go out more. Listen to your soul.....

Relax and enjoy. Doesn't always come easy to someone who has worked long and as hard as you. I phased myself into retirement by signing up for voluntary work immediately but have now slid down the slippery slope into full time indolence and I absolutely love it. I actually dreaded retirement. Wonderfully wrong of me!

One of the joys of retirement is that you have choice, and having worked for fifty years, enjoy it!

Enjoy it - good for you! If that is what you are happy doing, why force yourself to do something else? You may find after a time - months even - that you feel like venturing further, but there is no harm in enjoying your home and losing that clock watching ethic that we all have to employ when working.

Oh thanks everyone I will just keep on pottering then. I suppose I would go out if I had a dog but I have my cat but he takes hisself out. I must admit I do not miss work at all and would hate to wake up to find my retirement was just a dream.?
Thanks again everyone.

No you are not being lazy! Enjoy yourself.

There are no rules, I’ve been pottering about for years since I retired 6 years ago rosy cheeks, going out when want, staying at home when you want, I absolutely love being at home, I don’t know what the word bored means, No way on this earth are you being lazy, you sound as if you are happy, long may it continue and best wishes x

I too love pottering in the house and garden. I shop once a week and attend a social group but if someone else offered to shop i would grab it. I have lovely neighbours whom i see at least once a day for either a cuppa or just a chat over the fence. My dear sister visits every Saturday and other family pop in and out now and then. Friends keep in touch over facebook or via our mobiles. I have been out for a couple of meals and afternoon tea but i enjoy my home and just love having a whole day indoors. My sister says this is my 'halcyon days' and i should do as i please. So if your happy then i say continue.

Every one is different. I'm a bit of both. I like being at home pottering but if its too many days on the trott I don't like it. So I find things to do. Then again if I'm out too many days at once I want to stay home. ?

Me too, Coolgran65 !