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Routine or Freewheeling in Retirement?

(54 Posts)
Sidelined Mon 05-Jun-23 12:00:18

When I retired some time ago I was glad to ditch the routines and relished the freedom to freewheel. It works for me most of the time but not always. I hate having things on the calendar and am so glad when it’s done! Post-lockdown I’m finding it harder to motivate myself - I know it’s not just me. So I’m wondering do you maintain a tight routine or are you happy not to? And why does your way work for you?

NanaTuesday Thu 08-Jun-23 16:58:26

dogsmother omg , I could of written that 😀 My Oh was retiring in March 2023 . We/I said that he needed to get a hobby of some sort otherwise he would be in the shops all day every day . Even If he goes to get groceries ,he will always be hours .

RosesandLilac Thu 08-Jun-23 19:03:44

I retired with burnout at 65, having worked full time since I was 18, and having had a weekend/holiday job from 14 years old.
I freewheel I guess but I do have lots of interests (gardening, art, knitting, crochet, embroidery etc, reading and walking my dog)
I have joined a couple of groups so that gets me out one afternoon a week as well as being able to meet new friends.
Ill health means I’m supposed to pace myself (it beats me how you gauge what’s ‘enough’, I tend to not know until I have done too much!)
DH is retired but he has few interests or hobbies beyond going for walks so I tend to pursue solo interests I guess!

jocork Thu 08-Jun-23 21:19:27

Since retiring I've resumed some volunteering which I used to do when I worked part time. I have joined a weekly stitchers group which I used to attend just in school holidays and have joined a weekly 'Simply Walk' group. I go away to visit family more often and I miss these activities when I can't go. I also work on a casual basis as an exam invigilator which means I miss out on the regular activities when exams are on. I meet most weeks with a group from church for a bible study and volunteer doing deliveries for the local food bank about twice a month so my life is fairly busy about three days a week.
The other two days I often completely waste! I have good intentions to do all sorts of things, including chores, but often indulge in daytime TV and pottering online all day! Then I realise how much time I've wasted and am annoyed with myself.
So it's a mixture for me. I'm pretty tired at present with exams going on, and the extra money is a bonus, but I'll be glad when normality resumes and I can waste a whole day again and only feel a little bit guilty!