by Sarah Halfpenny
Retirement is a significant life milestone; it’s a time to embrace new adventures, hobbies, and experiences. To ensure a happy and fulfilling retirement, consider these five valuable tips:
- Explore “work optional” careers
Consider turning your passion into a “work optional” career. Start a small business, offer consulting services, or monetise a hobby you’re passionate about. This can provide extra income and keep you engaged in a fulfilling activity.
- Hit the books and study
Many Australian universities offer free or discounted courses for seniors. Take advantage of this opportunity to expand your knowledge and engage in lifelong learning. Whether it’s a new language, history, or art, learning keeps the mind sharp and engaged.
- Give back through skill-sharing
Use your lifetime of experience and skills to mentor or teach others. Volunteer as a mentor, tutor, or coach to help younger generations. Skill-sharing can be incredibly rewarding and provide a sense of purpose.
- Plan your “Bucket List” challenges
Create a retirement bucket list filled with exciting and challenging experiences. Some ideas include: skydiving over iconic sites, watching a sunrise and a sunset on the same day, hiking a challenging trail, hot air ballooning, feeding animals in a zoo, exploring underground caves, sleeping in a treehouse, or quirky activities like dining in the dark, going ghost hunting, or learning beekeeping or aerial yoga. These experiences add an extra layer of adventure to your newfound spare time.
- Document your journey
Consider starting a blog, journal or vlog (video blog) to document your retirement journey. Sharing your experiences, thoughts, and wisdom can be a meaningful way to connect with others around the world and leave a legacy for your loved ones.
