Are you retired and bored; feeling like you’re in a rut? Not to worry!
This is not the time for despair; this is the time to move out of your comfort zone, have some fun, and get inspired.
With my list of 50 unique Boredom Busters, you’ll be inspired to try something new and pull yourself out of the doldrums.
From outdoor adventures to learning a new skill to ways to have fun and earn some extra cash, this listicle has something for everyone.
It’s time to break out of that retirement funk, get creative, and find exciting new ways to make the most of your retirement. What are you waiting for?
Let’s get started and make retirement boredom a thing of the past!
Outdoor Hobbies for Retirees
1 – Learn to Fly a Drone – Piloting a drone is awesome! Rebel Retiree is still getting the hang of flying his – he doesn’t want to crash his new toy. But, he’s having fun with it and the aerial footage is amazing!
2 – Get a Go-Pro – It’s a blast to use an action camera. These cameras have changed the way we see the world! Easily mount it to your vehicle’s dashboard, strap it to your chest, attach it to your bike’s handlebars, snorkel with it, and get a view of the slopes while skiing – you name it! Get creative!
3 – Go Metal Detecting – Are you a gold digger? (And I don’t mean a woman that marries a man chiefly for material gain) There are metal detectors specifically designed to detect tiny gold nuggets in mineralized ground. Doesn’t that sound fun? Finding gold? This links to the RM RICOMAX sold through our affiliate program with Amazon. It’s an Amazon Choice and rated well.
4 – Catch Fish – People who already enjoy fishing understand this one. It’s common to hear men and women say they plan to do more fishing when retired. Aside from passing the time, you have fresh fish for dinner.
5 – Go Geocaching – I can tell you from first-hand experience that this popular treasure hunting game provides hours of entertainment. Geocaches are hidden all over the world. Use the app on your phone to find them. Check out Geocaching.com for more info.
6 – Plant a Vegetable Garden – The benefits of vegetable gardening are numerous and it will keep you busy. Read: “6 Benefits of Planting a Vegetable Garden. You might think of selling your bounty at seasonal markets for a little extra cash.
7 – Take up Bird Watching – Observing our fine feathered friends can cheer us up and help us appreciate nature.
Retirement Life at Home
8- Write – Express yourself. Journal, write poetry, start a blog, or keep in touch with your grandchildren as I do through old-fashioned letter writing. Check out my article Best Time-Tested Ideas for Grandparenting from a Distance for some cool inspiration.
9- Make a Bucket Llist – Revise your bucket list according to your retirement lifestyle. Now that you have more time, start checking off the list.
10 – Organize Old Photos – Do you have a box of old photos that need organizing? It may seem tough to get started organizing, but a rewarding experience when done.
11- Take Up a New Hobby – What haven’t you tried that you’ve always wanted to?
12- Clean/De-Clutter Your Home – Don’t wait for spring cleaning to tackle the closets. Start a routine of tossing 5 unnecessary items a day.
13- Do Genealogical Research – Interested in learning about your ancestors. Retirement is a good time to start. Do you have an Ancestry.com account?
14 – Read the Classics – Pick a must-read list, or read the classics you’ve not gotten around to. A novel approach is to pick an author, then read all of their best works.
15 – Make a List of What you Value – The focus of this website is value-based retirement. To be successful with this method, you need to take a hard look at what is most important to you. For inspiration, check out our Empowerment Category.
16 – Have a Meeting to Determine Where you Can Remove Waste –Not everyone has enough money to last them another 20 to 30 years. Take a serious look at how you can remove waste in your life and live an abundant lifestyle.
17 – Binge Watch a TV Series – Don’t misunderstand me. Becoming a couch potato is against my principles. But binge-watching a TV series can provide many nights of entertainment on cold winter nights.
What to Do After Retirement – Learn a New Skill
18 – Monitor a class – Take classes online or monitor a class at your local college or community college. Check out this page from Penny Hoarder where you can find a list of colleges that offer free or reduced tuition for seniors in all 50 states.
19 – Take Dance Lessons – Have you always wanted to learn swing dance or ballroom dancing? Before committing to paying for lessons, check for free classes in your area.
20 – Explore the History of Your Community – Every community has a history. Look online, or visit your local Chamber of Commerce for ideas. They can point you in the right direction to places of historical significance. Or visit cemeteries. Headstones can tell you a lot about who lived in the area before you did.
21 – Master a Second Language – Duolingo has over 30 languages to choose from with incentives that motivate you to practice. Learning a new language challenges reading and listening skills. You will exercise your brain as you stay occupied.
22 – Play a Musical Instrument – Pick up your old guitar, band instrument, or learn to play a new one. Perhaps you have a Community Band in your area that you could join.
23 – Learn a New Cooking Skill – Learn how to cook like a French Chef, make pizza dough like a pro – or whatever your heart desires.
24 – Take Up Wine Making – According to Rebel Retiree, winemaking is a great way to keep your vices and still afford to retire. Read: Retire Tipsy.
25 – Learn Calligraphy – This visually beautiful style of writing is an art form. You may be able to turn this hobby into cash. Calligraphers earn an average yearly salary of over $65,000.
26 – Improve Your Photography – Now that you have more free time, you can devote more time to improving your photography skills.
27 – Go to a Toastmasters Class – We’re never too old to improve our communication and leadership skills.
Things to do for Retirement – Earn Extra Money
28 – Start your Dream Business – A growing number of Americans aged 55 and older are starting businesses. Whether due to displacement in the workforce, a dive in stocks, or another type of unexpected change, older Americans are becoming entrepreneurs.
29 – Teach English Online – I get a commission when I sell this course and I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t think it was worthy. The course is thorough and easy to learn with a lot of video coaching from John. You don’t need a degree to teach, and it could help you supplement a Social Security check. Best of all? You can teach English online from anywhere in the world! Learn more at How to Teach English Online.
30 – Sell Stuff on eBay – If you decide de-cluttering is a boredom buster, put aside some stuff to sell on eBay.
31 – Work a Seasonal Job – Work in exquisite locales. Visit Cool Works Older and Bolder to see if anything suits your style.
32 – Start a Niche Website – A niche website is easy to start, will keep you busy, and could make a few bucks.
33 – Make Youtube Videos – If you have a passion, consider making videos to share with the world. Produce videos on a regular schedule to encourage a following and then monetize your videos.
34 – Give Courses at Your Local Community College – Take your expertise and create a training class. Get started with this Wiki How.
What do Retired People Do? Volunteer
35 – SCORE –SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer expert business mentors. Perhaps you can help.
36 – Volunteer to Read – Read to seniors, the blind, or volunteer to read audiobooks.
37 – Animal Shelter, Food Bank, Meals on Wheels – Local organizations like these are always in need of volunteers.
Inspirational Things for Bored Seniors to do Alone
38 – Create an Art Journal – If you’re bored and bummed out, using the right side of your brain to create will improve your mood. This is the mixed media journal I bought from Amazon.
39- Commit to Daily Meditation – Reduce stress, improve concentration, and perhaps reduce age-related memory loss.
40 -Read or listen to Inspirational Videos – Start your day stress-free and be more creative throughout your day.
41 -Take a 30 Day Challenge – You won’t be bored with a thirty-day challenge! Start one that motivates you.
Health – Get Fit for Retired Life
42- Begin a Yoga Practice – Retain flexibility and tone. Get strong. Discover the mind/body experience of Yoga.
43- Take Daily Walks – Reap the benefits of walking. Aside from lowering blood pressure, walking is an excellent reliever of boredom.
44 – Split Wood – I realize everyone doesn’t need to split wood. However, it’s an effective cardio and strength training workout for guys and gals alike. It’s part of Rebel Retiree’s exercise program.
45 – Ride a Bike, Hike, Cross-Country Ski – Exercise is the best medicine. Spend an afternoon enjoying these outdoor activities. You’ll go home feeling rejuvenated and satisfied. Read: The Secrets to a Long Life [The Benefits of Cross Country Skiing].
Travel Fun in Retirement
46 – Visit all of the National Parks – It isn’t necessary to travel abroad to experience exquisite scenery. The United States has magnificent natural beauty. If you’re 62 or older and like to travel, you’ll want to get a Senior Parks Pass.
47 – Have a Staycation – Visit your local museums, parks, and other areas of interest. You’re likely to find a little gem.
48- Home Exchange – Home exchange takes about 6 months of planning. And I doubt that any of us think that preparing for a trip is boring. Learn more about house swapping from my article, Affordable Travel for Retirees.
49 – Find a Retirement Haven That Suits You – If you are considering downsizing, travel and find a place that makes you happy and suits you. For suggestions, read Rebel Retiree’s The Grass is Greener – Find a Retirement Haven That Suits You.
50 – Discover the Little Gems in Your State – Discover unique road trips at Only in Your State.com
Have you discovered anything on this list that interests you? Please feel free to comment below! And before you go, please take a moment to subscribe to our newsletter, and like us on Facebook
I love this list! My husband is retiring June 1 and I just retired this month. We have short term plans, but I’m marking this post for the time we run dry of ideas.
Especially winter/cold/dreary days…
Thanks!
Hi Kimberly!
Congratulations to you and your husband! Hope your retirement journey is chock-full of fun and adventure!
Marlene, Yoga Woman
#28, Start Your Dream Business- Is much more than simply a ‘boredom buster’. Encore careers as Seniorpreneurs is challenging , purposeful and a meaningful way to give back to society and feel good doing it. It also empowers Seniors 50+ to become more active, creative, productive and resourceful in their new retirement lifestyle.
Thank you so much for chiming in! You’ve made an excellent point! No doubt you’ve done a lot of work at The Seniorpreneur Project to encourage people 50+ to break out of their comfort zone and take on the challenge of starting their own business.