5 Fun & Simple New Year’s Goals after Retirement
The New Year signifies a fresh start and often comes along with a list of goals or aspirations that you want to accomplish in the coming months. Whether you choose to write your New Year’s goals down or have an idea of areas in your life you want to focus on, this list will help you get started.
5 Fun & Simple New Year’s Goals
1. Start a New Hobby
Having an activity that you can turn to for fun and that offers stress relief is a great way to spend your free time. This is a great time to learn a new skill or take up a new hobby. Some ideas include taking a cooking class, sewing, sailing, and gardening. When picking a hobby, you want to choose an activity you look forward to versus feeling obligated to do it. There are many cognitive and physical benefits to having a new hobby. When looking for one, think about if it’s something you want to do alone or with a group. Some group hobbies are craft clubs, dancing lessons, and fitness classes. Either way, seek out an activity that aligns with your interests.
2. Seek Volunteer or Part-Time Work
If you’re retired and are looking to fill some of your time with service, consider volunteering for a charity or seeking part-time work. If you have a group you’re passionate about, look online to see if they have volunteer opportunities in your area. Other popular volunteer work is working in a soup kitchen or helping at the local church, shelter, SPCA, or library. With volunteer work, you can be flexible in your availability and do what works best for your schedule. Volunteering will keep you active and social, helping your overall mood. If there is a job you always thought seemed fun to try, or you have a field you are passionate about, consider looking for part-time work. This will allow you to have an income still and try something different post-retirement.
3. Consider Downsizing
The New Year is the ideal time to organize your home and personal items. If moving is a post-retirement goal, it’s never too early to start decluttering. If you don’t plan on staying in your current home, start going through room by room and getting rid of anything you no longer need or want. This can be hard, and deciding what has actual sentimental value and is worth keeping is essential. When you do get ready to move, it’ll be a lot easier with less stuff. Also, if purchasing a new home or condo is a future aspiration, start looking into your finances and see how much house you can afford. This will give you a budget to work from and an idea of a timeline for moving forward. Also, having any important personal and financial documents handy will be necessary. Purchase a file organizer and get all your important documents organized and stored away for easy access.
4. Plan to Travel
With a new year starting, it’s exciting to plan some trips to look forward to. If you live in a cold climate, the first few months of the new year are a great time to travel somewhere warm. Once you are retired and have more free time, travelling to see new places and experience new cultures is a great way to fulfil your personal goals. Start by writing a list of places you would like to visit for a shorter weekend trip, and then write down a few more exotic places that you’d love to plan a trip to in 2023. Arizona, Hawaii, Palm Springs, Napa Valley, and Europe are popular destinations. Another great way to travel is by taking a cruise. You can experience many destinations seamlessly without worrying about transportation with a cruise.
5. Focus on Good Sleep
Overall health seems always to be a focus on everyone’s new year’s resolutions. It’s important to focus on exercise paired with healthy and mindful eating. One area to focus on though is quality sleep. Sleep is so vital to your overall health and performing daily functions. Work on creating a nighttime routine that allows you to shut down and be stress-free. Some examples are reading a book, meditating, and listening to soft music. Once you establish a new bedtime routine, falling asleep will come easier. You will be amazed at how refreshed you feel when you get 8 to 10 hours a night. To help with this, upgrade your home and bedroom to create a calm, relaxing space for ageing.
The start of the New Year is a time to be grateful for the past year while looking forward to what the future holds. Having a list of New Year’s goals helps give you an idea of where you want to focus your time. You don’t have to do them or write them down. Instead, try 2-3 throughout the year, and you’ll feel fulfilled and happier!
What are your New Year’s goals for 2023? Please share them in the comments.
Until next time!
