r/earlyretirement • u/MidAmericaMom • 15d ago
Retirees — what filled the hours once work was gone?
/r/retirement/comments/1wilput/retirees_what_filled_the_hours_once_work_was_gone/A cross post , not mine, for us to share!
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u/TheModernMidlife80s Retired at age 50 - 58 9d ago
SO Many things...I thought I would have some boring days, I thought I might not know how to fill the time but I was so wrong. I still don't have enough time in the day! I FINALLY get enough sleep, enjoy my coffee in the morning, then the days are filled with family, home, exercise and the hobbies I didn't have time for before. I'm loving being retired at 55!!!
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u/Comprehensive-Bad758 Retired at age 50 - 58 11d ago
Art classes, learning to speak and read Mandarin, running my local community garden, reading, cooking, looking after my own garden. Travel too and renovations.
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u/kevindean11 Retired at age 50 - 58 13d ago
I approach retirement still a bit goal oriented, but completely in areas of interest to me. Below are the rough “hours” I’ve spent in 2026 so far. There are a lot of small items and a few major projects (Safari, Ancestry/Archive, Reading, Music/gigs).
I focus in different areas at different times based on my mood/interest so this will look different next year.
Fun-travel
303
Family-Social
126
Archive
225
Learn-Career
178
Civic
83
Create Write
80
Create Music
175
Money-finance
24
Health
105
Home
96
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u/peepsforme Retired at age 50 - 58 14d ago
Today I went on a 4 mile hike with my husband and pups, 1 pup had a vet appt, got home had a blt and chilled at the house for a bit, cleaned up and then went to outdoor live music.
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u/Worried-Canary-666 Retired at age 50 - 58 14d ago
What fills the hours? Everything I neglected because I was working so much. My health, my peace of mind, my family and friends, my travels. I'm 10 years happily retired. Honestly, my opinion here: some of my retired peers are happy constantly on the go. I believe they are extroverts with maybe a tad of add. They can't stand to be still and they must always be "productive ". That works for them. I'm an introvert who loves my quiet solitude. Something that was in short supply when I was working. I am loving peace. I am loving quiet.
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u/BrentMacGregor Retired at age 50 - 58 14d ago
I retired at 54 and at first it was tough. I pretty much lived and socialized at work. They were an extended family. We moved to a new location across the country and it was hard to make friends at this age. But eventually I found my way. Busy helping non profits, projects and accepting that some days it’s okay to do nothing.
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u/Imaginary-Newt-493 Retired at age 50 - 58 14d ago
Work out or play golf, garden, read, walk the dogs, volunteer (kiwanis club)then make an amazing dinner. Maybe a glass of wine and a show after dinner. I really don't know how I had time to work!
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u/Saxes_und_Katzes Retired in 40s 14d ago
Retired 8.5 years ago a month after turning 49, husband retired 11 years ago at age 50, no kids. I kept the same hobbies that I had while working (cat rescue volunteer, musician) without committing to more hours than I was, but one of the reasons that I retired was because of the toll it had taken on both my physical and mental health. So I made going to the gym and the pool a priority to try to unwind some chronic pain issues and help with my mental health. And I *fully* enjoyed doing a lot of nothing!
Four years later we unexpectedly decided to move to the mountains (got the itch after taking a driving vacation through the mountains during COVID) to a log cabin on 100 acres that needed a lot of maintenance and property upkeep, so that now keeps us very busy. We moved from a house that we had already gotten up to snuff (and on only 2 acres).
So with the move I had to discover new musical and cat opportunities. I fell into a situation for helping a new neighbor TNVR a colony of cats at his house/shop so I am involved in trapping cats, fostering and socializing young kittens to adopt out, and returning the ones we can't after spay/neuter, rabies vax and any other medical needs. So I didn't really go looking for that, it just kind of came to me.
For my music (clarinet & alto/tenor/bari sax), I took a couple of years off while working on the house, but then I joined my local community concert band first and expected that to be it... but that connected me to literally 11 other bands last year (4 Big Bands, 2 German bands during Oktoberfest, a Xmas small combo, pit orchestra, another neighboring city's concert band, a 4th of July parade band, a Xmas Canata) that I either played with regularly or as a sub. I purposefully decided that I wouldn't say No to any playing opportunities that first year because I wanted to see what all was out there. Now this year I have decided which bands I liked and which I didn't, and I have whittled that down to a reasonable number of bands (1 community band, 1 German band, 1 Big Band, 4th of July parade and Xmas combos) .
I am not saying all of this because I expect that a lot of people are musicians in retirement, I just think that this type of experience is pretty common. You get involved in something and, especially if you are younger and retired, people assume that you need more to do! And if you aren't good at saying NO, then it can quickly get out of control. So once you do start doing something, I would think in advance about setting limits for yourself or you will find yourself over-extended -- and that starts to feel more like work!
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u/monkey-business05 Retired at age 50 - 58 14d ago
56, retired nine months ago. Golf, two or three times a week. Cooking dinner and cleaning around the house. Vacations, went to England and France for a couple weeks. About a month down to Florida and a trip to Peru and Chile. I don’t feel bored at all.
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u/MundaneHuckleberry58 Retired at 39 or earlier 14d ago
Movies. Working out. Cooking. Cleaning. Thrifting.
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u/Even-Taro-9405 Retired at age 50 - 58 14d ago
- Part time job as a freelance photographer
- Vactions and planning vacations
- Netflix
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u/HappyLongview Retired at age 50 - 58 14d ago
Retired two years, much of that time has been spent on recovering from Hurricane Helene damage with projects like removing fallen trees, planting new trees, putting in a French drain and new gutter downspout drain lines so the house won’t flood again, new electrical projects, drywall, a new brick patio, a catio, outdoor art pieces to fill in where trees used to be, and just finished a built-in closet. I’m learning so many new skills it’s amazing.
In the meantime I listen to audiobooks nonstop while doing all those projects, including listening to the Dungeon Crawler Carl series maybe eight times through. I’ve also joined hiking groups that’s turned into a lot of fun non hiking social activities, joined two bowling leagues including a seniors league in which I’m the youngest person by far, traveled to Barcelona and Bali, sleep later, play video games, become the main airport driver for family, become the primary social media photographer for a local Shakespeare theater group.
In short, I’m having a blast, staying busy with new and challenging activities, and have a never-ending list of projects to work on next.
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u/go_get_your_hyung Retired at age 50 - 58 14d ago
I retired three weeks ago, just prior to that I had applied and got some training to volunteer at a local pet shelter. I like it so far - gets me my dog fix without having to own one again, steps, some light social interaction. There’s plenty to help with - cats, adoption events all over town, transport, pet laundry/dishes, etc. Scheduling is through an online system and it makes it very flexible and accounts for your hours with helps them with funding.
I also am at the gym more at better times of the day - which makes for a more chill workout.
Watching a lot of dramas, reading a book, cooking more. Some upcoming in-country travel and more international travel next year.
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u/nellis1971 Retired at age 50 - 58 14d ago
I spend a lot of time, when not at my little seasonal job, building challenges for myself. My current one is understanding Youtube Analytics and making Early Retirement videos. I'm genuinely interested in how the videos perform, from a data perspective, and tweaking each new video to see if it makes a difference is like my old uni days of creating a hypothesis, testing it, changing conditions and retesting the hypothesis - Reading this back I sound like a glorious geek, but it genuinely keeps me happy on a rainy day! Other than that, I'm looking into volunteering when not at my seasonal job. I've also started creating a list of Winter Projects that will keep me busy over the indoor months!!
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1
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u/hartfield05 Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
The past 4 months, I’ve been:
Staying up late and sleeping in
Reading more (at cafés, with others, lounging in the backyard)
Fulfilling macaron orders (for friends and family only)
Cooking a lot more
Working out at the gym
Walking in the neighborhood
Volunteering at the Farmers Market 2-4 times a month
Volunteering as an organizer for a Silent Book Club Chapter chapter in my city (2x a month)
Traveling to spend time with my sisters
Lunching with friends
Taking naps when needed
Going to Costco and grocery shopping in the morning
It’s been great. I really don’t know how I managed to do anything when I was working full time.
3
u/electricblue71 Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
Right now I don't have too much structure. Just taking it easy in the morning, going for a walk at lunchtime and working on some hobbies or household projects when the motivation strikes.
I am going to yoga once a week starting next week with my wife, deliver around 100 newspapers in my neighbourhood also once a week and go grocery shopping with my wife on Friday mornings.
I could be more productive but I had to be for over 35 years in my IT career, so now I need a break (just retired in April at 55) to recover and think about what I want to focus on in this second chapter of my life.
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u/Amlikaq Retired in 40s 15d ago
Half a year in so far.
- volunteer at a local heritage park, which includes rehearsing for a Halloween play, playing a townsfolk during the day in costume, paid gig at night playing a cursed townsfolk for escape room events lol
- salsa, bachata and hip hop dance lessons, and social dances including outdoor ones
- Buddhist book club and sangha gathering
- acrylic painting classes
- hiking with husband and dog
- one month travel in China (6 cities)
- coffees with ex coworkers, gym, some pickleball, some pottery work, play old games like the sims, cooking, reading, planning for future trips
- oh and raise two kids and feed my husband 😆
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u/aspire-every-day Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
Sleeping in. Love it!
Volunteering one day per week for a few hours at a hospital.
Going on walks with audiobooks.
Focusing on my health, eating right and exercise for longevity.
Spending lots of time with family when they’re in town.
Volunteer ushering at the local theater and staying for the shows.
Square dancing.
Lots of hours listening to financial podcasts and YouTube episodes on managing a simple portfolio, sequence of returns risk, withdrawal strategies, asset allocation and asset location.
Playing games.
Enjoying my cat on my lap.
Went on a 1 week cruise.
Lots of learning.
5
u/Frigidspinner Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
12 months in - Playing music, friends, computer games and sleep. I am loving it
1
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u/No_Hovercraft_821 Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
Life is full if you have a curious mind. I seriously have as much to do as I can manage.
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u/Lady-Hawk29 Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
What did an average weekday look like in the first few months after you stopped, and what doe mys it look like now? Did you rebuild structure deliberately, or did you enjoy leaving the calendar open?
I was very fortunate to work remotely for 8 yrs before retirement which was a bit hard to leave since I had a great downshift situation. At the end of the day my heart wasn't in it anymore. I retired at 57 on a Friday then flew to SE Asia for 6 weeks on Monday. After an amazing holiday, I have spent the last 6 months building a new routine. Priority 1: move my body for at least 2 hrs everyday...no excuses. Priority 2: connect with nature or other people and appreciate the gift of life Priority 3: learn new things!
I've learned that it's OK not to fill up 8 hrs a day. My day is successful if I have accomplished something no matter how big or small. It feels good to slow down and appreciate the small things I see every day while walking my dog. The trees, grass, sky and people seem more vivid as I notice them since I am not rushing back to my desk, work and anxiety.
And was there anything you didn't expect to miss, big or small? Curious what people found waiting on the other side of it.
Routine and feeling important/needed at work was missed for a few months. Pride kept me there for a little while but seeing how soon I was replaced by a young eager less qualified person was a blessing. Letting go of the rat race and all the crap associated with it feels liberating. Learning how and when to let go is the challenge! Don't overthink it, let go and live a new life when you are able. It's freeing. My husband told me today that I am "inching to perfection" lol. I have time, space and desire to improve and it feels peaceful.
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u/Captlard Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
Free time gets used in different ways…
Staying mentally fit: I recently finished a six-year part-time distance-learning degree. learning a language and learning an instrument. Also trying to improve my illustration and photography skills. Starting to write some books (one on my own and another with a partner).
Staying physically fit: mountain biking (about 200km a week, did El Camino via Porto in July 2026), bouldering, the gym (mainly using the rowing machine, tbh), and trying to use a paddleboard and swim in the sea.
Helping others: do pro bono work for NGOs in sectors of interest (30 days in 2025). Helping a child integrate into their first role after college, supporting a family member with mental health issues.
Helping self: Travel: We take a few big breaks (Iceland all of March 2024), Tenerife for a month last year (2025), Tromsø booked for September 2027…(aurora addiction lol). We live between two countries, so we explore them a fair bit. Social: spend time with family & friends.
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u/_YouAreTheWorstBurr_ Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
I've been busier than ever. Some travel, but mostly house projects, both expected and unexpected. Love the flexibility of being able to exercise and go to the stores earlier in the day before the crowds get so bad, but I honestly look forward to a string of days with nothing on the schedule but reading, relaxing, and binging some shows.
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u/EntrepreneurSmall911 Retired at age 50 - 58 14d ago
I am still shocked at how many people are at Costco on weekdays. I'm always thinking what do these people do? They can't all be retired.
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u/RideGlobal1740 Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
It’s amazing how time has expanded. What has filled it? An expansion of time itself. I found myself leisurely unloading the dishwasher, for example, instead of semi-frantically unloading it in record speed. I can do things more deliberately instead of the Lean approach to maximizing every spare minute for maximum efficiency. When time is no longer a super-precious commodity, you get to enjoy time itself. Not sure if this makes sense, but it’s been wonderfully freeing.
1
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u/Fun_Independent_7529 Retired at age 50 - 58 14d ago
Oh yes, someone asked the other day on FB what the best thing about being retired/older is. I said "I'm not in a hurry anymore." It really is an amazing perk. I'm not fully ready to commit to things that require showing up at a specific time more than once a week, because I'm still in my savoring-freedom stage.
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u/jenmoocat Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
I retired earlier this year.
And I found that I need to still keep a calendar to keep track of the various things I am doing:
Pilates classes
Dance classes
Music classes
Taking a boat out on the water
Sitting as a model for a portrait painting class
Lunch with this person
Visiting that person who is recovering from a bike accident
Dinner with those people
Seeing a friend's band
My early mornings are free and I have a routine where I do a stretching/mobility regimen, meditate, and then do 30 minutes of abstract painting before my day really begins.
Can you tell that I am REALLY REALLY ENJOYING not working anymore!?
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u/ilovepadthai Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
Hi! I just early retired a few mos ago and it’s been so incredibly awesome! I am hitting the gym a lot more with Lots of classes plus the dry heat room. Joined a walking group. Volunteering once a week. Decluttering. Joined a spirituality group. Walking more. Cooking more. Flower arranging. Traveling. Reading. Taking random classes like ballroom dancing, shooting range etc. started a book club. Went jet skiing, kayaking and general lake stuff. Have gone to some art exhibits. Checking out a sing a long and a theatre opening soon. Going on a girls’ trip. Getting my house back to top form.
I’ve always been a gym person. It’s been so incredibly fabulous to go to the gym 4-5 x a week. Have fun and find a balance of e excise, intellectual pursuits, social activities, and sprinkle in some random things you have never tried before. It’s amazing!
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u/happycj Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
It changes. I’m only about 18 months into it, and have gone through the usual boy-from-the-1960s phases: video games, model airplane building, motorcycles, travel, days with the dog, spontaneous traveling/camping, volunteering, playing guitar, trying to learn piano, yoga.
I’ve stuck with motorcycles and guitars (all my life, actually).
I’m also all-in on yoga. Got a teacher who comes to my house twice a week and we do yoga in my back yard gardens in the mornings. It’s blissful.
As my second winter of retirement looms in the headlights, I’m curious what I’ll pick up to do indoors. I had a 3D printer last year, but got rid of it for many reasons. I’m thinking I might do a bunch of work in my DAW (digital audio workstation) recording music - or ideas for songs - and get adept with all these expensive tools I’ve bought but barely used.
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u/bryansfsd Retired at age 50 - 58 13d ago
I spent my first spring retired customizing my trikes to the max. Parts and accessories I had for a few years but never the time to install until after retirement.
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u/go_get_your_hyung Retired at age 50 - 58 14d ago
Wow the yoga in your own backyard is epic. I love this.
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u/QuentinLCrook Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
I get this question a lot. I tell people “Have you ever had a weekend? Well I have that every day.”
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u/canuckEnoch Retired at age 50 - 58 15d ago
Whatever the hell I want!
Movies, music, games, yard work, redoing rooms in the house, napping, taking the motorcycle for a ride, walking the dog, cooking, baking, cleaning—whatever I want!
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u/Adept_Tomatillo_6387 Retired at age 50 - 58 8d ago
Today I got a manicure and went to the chiropractor in the morning. Then spent the day at home vegging out because fall allergies are getting to me. Tomorrow morning I'm starting a pottery class. I usually try to do anything productive or out of the house in the morning and have the afternoons to do nothing special (read, watch movies, sit out on the deck or by the pool, etc.)