You’re retired, now what (do you do with yourself)?

[proftournesol]

2 hours ago, rantan said:

 

I will gladly take both.

A feeling of physical immortality and a mindset of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll.

It would be an endless retirement with a 20-year-old body, but, unfortunately for all of us, one comes with the other

[Mendes]

1 hour ago, Kaynin said:

Same in the Eastern States Dave, a shite shift.  We used to work 4 hr shifts and get paid for 8 because there were no penalty rates.  Then an EB came through where we got 1.5 or 2 time for Christmas and we went “woohoo” - but command said no more 4 hr shifts…great, 8 hours of sorting out everyone’s domestics…yay

 

Some of my most difficult memories are of when I worked Christmas and had to be away from my family.  These days, I’m home.  You can include footy finals and UFC title fights in those marquee occasions.

Don't know how you guys deal with societies very bad behaving people (putting it very, very mildly).

 

Nothing but respect for you all 

[Assisi]

Earlier last month the local Council conducted a one day event “Titled Positive Ageing.”

 

Aspects of the event covered some of what is in this thread.  One session was presented by two older members from a Local Biker Group.  They were in their leathers with their two bikes next to the stage.  Three things that they said have stuck with me.  The group welcomed new members and they were taught how to enjoy and ride safely.  Every Saturday the group met in a local café for coffee. There was a strict 5 minute limit on discussing health matters.  No more time is allowed. Then the conversation was moved on to other more positive topics.  Last and importantly was the message find you tribe.  This forum is a tribe and is so for anyone who participates.  Importantly though we each need to belong to more tribes than just this forum for the social interaction opportunities.

John

[Kaynin]

31 minutes ago, Mendes said:

Don't know how you guys deal with societies very bad behaving people (putting it very, very mildly).

 

Nothing but respect for you all 

it’s a young man’s game because the bucket is empty when you start.  Over time it fills.  The movie “No Country For Old Men” - who is the movie about?

 

It’s the Sherrif.  Too old to put himself at risk.  Brilliant movie that puts a major policing issue to the forefront.

[THOMO]

Not quite there yet but close.

It seems to me that if you enjoy hi fi  a good thing to do would be to join a shed and start making DIY speakers and audio furniture.Maybe even sell some of it to other members?

My sister retired early and joined a shed with really good facilities and seems to enjoy making furniture.She says they are struggling for active members [men or women] which is a shame.

[David A]

1 hour ago, THOMO said:

Not quite there yet but close.

It seems to me that if you enjoy hi fi  a good thing to do would be to join a shed and start making DIY speakers and audio furniture.Maybe even sell some of it to other members?

My sister retired early and joined a shed with really good facilities and seems to enjoy making furniture.She says they are struggling for active members [men or women] which is a shame.

Thanks Jon for promoting Community Sheds. I'm passionate about men's issues. Men are over-represented in depression and suicide statistics...particularly in the bush. But women are also not immune. Men's sheds and Community sheds (which are also open to women) are critically important in helping particularly men get together, have a yarn and share some comraderie, whilst learning new skills and building items to help the community.  So in summing up, the work that these sheds do is essential to providing a release valve for all the stress and worries of the world. So it's great to give them a shout out .

[frankn]

3 hours ago, Assisi said:

You finished your post by saying

“All of those changes simply say I haven’t yet given up employment.” 

Maybe I interpreted the word differently to what you intended. You may have meant various activities and not paid employment.

John

You certainly did misread what I intended, at least you were the only one as far as I can tell. All good. 

[Stump]

Coming up to 63 years and almost ready to cash in my assets which will give me a good wage up to 80.Spending the money while I have my health is top priority rather then being the richest man in the cemetery...I expect to spend our summer  each year  somewhere  across the   Arctic then while home not much will change to what I do now....   Like many previous post I'm now setting up the front yard with low maintenance garden and artificial lawn... Rather then future downsize I can sell off half the block if needed...

[Assisi]

12 hours ago, David A said:

Men's sheds and Community sheds (which are also open to women)

For some time I was involved with a group of the Shed members selling raffle tickets for funds for the Shed for the proverbial Friday night meat tray. Initially I was intrigued that it was much easier to sell the tickets to women and they bought more.  Then I realised that the women who are better networkers and social connection understood the value of the Shed for their men.

 

The shed I am associated with has a session for women. It has caused considerable angst for some of the men.  Some silly hissy fits.  In two close by town Sheds, the women sessions are a strong positive.

John

[David A]

1 hour ago, Assisi said:

For some time I was involved with a group of the Shed members selling raffle tickets for funds for the Shed for the proverbial Friday night meat tray. Initially I was intrigued that it was much easier to sell the tickets to women and they bought more.  Then I realised that the women who are better networkers and social connection understood the value of the Shed for their men.

 

The shed I am associated with has a session for women. It has caused considerable angst for some of the men.  Some silly hissy fits.  In two close by town Sheds, the women sessions are a strong positive.

John

 

I think your comment about women being better at making social connections and networking is true. Men often go into their shell....especially after a divorce. Opening up Men's shed's to women I guess would depend on the demand in a particular community, and the sentiment of the members. I guess that's managed on a case by case basis. What is important is that essential work of the Sheds continues to be supported and hopefully expanded in future.

[Full Range]

2 hours ago, Assisi said:

For some time I was involved with a group of the Shed members selling raffle tickets for funds for the Shed for the proverbial Friday night meat tray. Initially I was intrigued that it was much easier to sell the tickets to women and they bought more.  Then I realised that the women who are better networkers and social connection understood the value of the Shed for their men.

 

The shed I am associated with has a session for women. It has caused considerable angst for some of the men.  Some silly hissy fits.  In two close by town Sheds, the women sessions are a strong positive.

John

As I noted in my earlier post that I was going to join a men’s shed upon retirement 

My main aim is to build a record storage lateral drawer cabinet to hold 1000 + records 

I have already designed it 

 

I can help the members with my mechanical knowledge in return 

[Keith_W]

2 hours ago, Assisi said:

The shed I am associated with has a session for women. It has caused considerable angst for some of the men.  Some silly hissy fits.  In two close by town Sheds, the women sessions are a strong positive.

John

 

I go to my local men's shed as well. Despite the name, there are women there. I don't mind, I don't go to hang out with other men, I go to hang out with other woodworkers. 

 

There are lots of clubs which I go to which are predominantly men, despite no explicit rule saying that the club is men-only. Scale Modeller's Club, Ship Model Society, and Melbourne Audio Club (on the rare occasion that I go!) are 100% men. Chess club and badminton clubs are predominantly men, but there are some women. Very few though! So where are all the women? Answer: ballroom dancing, small handicrafts, art clubs. I can't think of a single club which is exclusively women, they don't seem to want to hang out the same way we do. 

[Assisi]

7 minutes ago, Full Range said:

I can help the members with my mechanical knowledge in return 

I am certain that your contribution will be very much appreciated.  Good luck with the storage unit.  A photo will be good when it is finished.

John

[Assisi]

Mens Sheds is an Australian phenomenon that has spread Internationally.  Honorary Professor Barry Golding has done extensive research on the topic and written books.

 

https://barrygoanna.com/mens-sheds/

 

Barry lives near me.  Intriguingly there are many Sheds in Ireland and yet not many in the US relatively speaking.  I wonder why and what it says about the nature of the societies?

 

Another movement that seems to have started in Australia in recent times is the Man Walk.

 

https://themanwalk.com.au/

John

[Bronal]

Men's Sheds are a great resource - but what if you're not that kind of man?  What if you want to discuss things like art, literature, current affairs?

 

My passion is gardening, mainly with Australian plants and Proteas, but I do need intellectual stimulus as well.

[keyse1]

3 minutes ago, Bronal said:

Men's Sheds are a great resource - but what if you're not that kind of man?  What if you want to discuss things like art, literature, current affairs?

 

My passion is gardening, mainly with Australian plants and Proteas, but I do need intellectual stimulus as well.

Come over to my place

Bring beer

Can’t help with the gardening though

Edited November 28, 2024 by keyse1

[Assisi]

15 minutes ago, Bronal said:

Men's Sheds are a great resource - but what if you're not that kind of man?  What if you want to discuss things like art, literature, current affairs?

 

My passion is gardening, mainly with Australian plants and Proteas, but I do need intellectual stimulus as well.

You may be very lucky and find someone at the Mens shed who is interested in what you are.  Current affairs can be an issue though.  You may not be comfortable with the perspectives. I know I am not.  I will say no more.

U3A where I live covers the topics that you are interested in.  Become a guide at gallery or join the friends.  I am a member of various Horticultural organisations.  Join the local Australian Plant Society or the Friends of the Canberra Bot Gardens.  There are so many options.  One thing leads to another.  In no time you won’t have enough time to do everything that you want to do.  The social connections are essential for your health and well being.

John

[frankn]

A fun read, I purchased this over 20yrs ago. 

[frankn]

On 25/11/2024 at 8:55 PM, Grimmie said:

 

We do need more of this in Perth, there used to be far more of it but many Perth GTG participants have fallen by the SNA wayside.

 

This is true throughout many of the state capitals - here in Adelaide we are trying to resurrect it in a Retired GTG music group , ppl that can meet on a weekday/late morning, meet/music, have lunch at host location or in a local hostelry/cafe etc. Carry on with music and discussion after lunch if there is continued interest. 
We hope to begin January 2025.  Start small and see how it goes.  reMit (retired, Music, IT ) since so much music delivery now requires an education in IT to get it to talk/work). 

Edited November 28, 2024 by frankn
Clarity

[lenticularis]

I retired 10 1/2 years ago at 57.

 

I keep myself very busy, mostly with my sporting passion of gliding (sailplanes) in two unpaid volunteer roles, both instructing and in administration/ standards maintenance. I also do motorcycling and photography, and audio of course!

Edited November 30, 2024 by lenticularis
had to add audio

[playdough]

Gday

Retired a few years ago (due to something I wouldn't do), but kept my occupational licence as a contractor, as I'd just turned 52.

Self funding and volunteering my time on site to become a Builder (just about to start a new house), that and helping Community with doing some Electrical work gratuitously to a couple of Organisations that help those less fortunate and don't have turnover enough to afford Trades.

My partner is still working so look after her making her days easier (most enjoyable job). I love home cooking and found practice makes a better cook.

Keeping fit, riding bikes and fossicking for gems in river beds or fishing for dinner takes some of the spare time we enjoy together as common interests.

Never had to look for anything to do, seems to come to me these days.

Slowly building and testing speakers as well and just starting another project.

Retirement, never been boring, or sat down although it'll come.

Cheers

 

 

 

[crisis]

On 27/11/2024 at 4:01 PM, proftournesol said:

Almost everybody would happily take their 20 year old body; not many would want the 20-year-old's mind that comes with it. Enjoy the positives, they outweigh the negatives

Theres a lot going for the 20 year old mind. Still not jaded and cynical. Still thinking you can rule the world. There are a lot of 60 year old minds going around I certainly don't care for..

[crisis]

On 28/11/2024 at 2:56 PM, Assisi said:

Mens Sheds is an Australian phenomenon that has spread Internationally.  Honorary Professor Barry Golding has done extensive research on the topic and written books.

 

https://barrygoanna.com/mens-sheds/

 

Barry lives near me.  Intriguingly there are many Sheds in Ireland and yet not many in the US relatively speaking.  I wonder why and what it says about the nature of the societies?

 

Another movement that seems to have started in Australia in recent times is the Man Walk.

 

https://themanwalk.com.au/

John

The men shed thing seems to be a big deal.. I guess I have never had the need to find new friends. I'm not sure why or how Ive managed to retain so many good long term relationships because I'm not sure I would actually be my own friend.. that said I have many friendships that go back over 40 years. Some closer than others but always have someone I can have a beer with. My wife passed away from breast cancer in 2019. You don't get over that but Ive never been or felt alone thanks to my friendships, I can imagine it would be awful in my situation of your circle of friends was much smaller.

[Analogueage]

I’m thoroughly enjoying my retirement but occasionally miss the spare vinyl funds I once had. I’ve recently joined a local ProBus to try and expand my horizons. Not sure how it will go but happy to find out.

Rob

[BLAH BLAH]

On 01/12/2024 at 10:19 PM, crisis said:

Theres a lot going for the 20 year old mind. Still not jaded and cynical. Still thinking you can rule the world. There are a lot of 60 year old minds going around I certainly don't care for..

Now that is a tricky one to ponder...

I just wonder how the seventy-two-year-old Blah would cope, in meeting the young 20-year-old Blah. Talk about food for though...hopefully that there is a three-course fine meal waiting to be digested and savoured. In my case/menu, prolly more along the lines of a snack, or too much junk-food and possibly a fast food take-away. And for sure, there will be no health foods involved. One thing the old Blah would admire would be the young Blah's, crazy and out of the blue decision, to buy a Youth Hostel Membership and a backpack and turn his back on Melbourne and hitch-hike up the East Coast as far as Cairns.

(I still blame the youngster for reading Keroauc's 'On the Road' for that impulse)

I canna shake the feeling that everything that's happened to us since the young fella hit the road have been all the right possible outcomes, leading back to this old fella. See, the young Blah would say to me.. I backed myself in...it was the right course of action..

As I reflect...(when did the old Blah become a mirror?!)...and ponder...(now I am a pond?!) ...some of us are not made to rule/change the World. No matter how strong the manic charge or burning desire, to do so, only a few are given such opportunity and even fewer make it.

Some of us, young Blah, I suspect have various internal issues/physical ailments to deal with, confront, and hopefully come to terms with. Requiring from us just as much energy and hard grinding work.

Personal interior worlds to rule and change.

It's not as flashy, but just as authentic.

Thank you young fella for making an old fart like me finally content with his lot.

As the venerable old Peter Cundall...would say...Now look, that's your bloomin' lot'...

Edited December 2, 2024 by BLAH BLAH