This post Your Potential is Unlimited appeared first on Daily Reckoning.
In generations past, “hobbies for retirees” meant things like knitting, hanging out at the VFW, and flipping through TV Guide to see when Matlock would be on again.
Sure, some people were a little more active, but the expectation was that once retired, the adventures in life were pretty much over.
These days, it’s possible to retire earlier, live longer, and stay healthier than ever before, so there’s no need to relegate your newfound free time to the dusty hobbies of yesteryear.
Toss those knitting needles and set down the remote control – no matter what age you retire at, these are some of the best hobbies for your retirement years.
Hiking
No matter where you live, there’s probably a beautiful mountain, a well-worn trail, or even an urban park just waiting to be explored close by.
Some of the great things about hiking are that you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment, there’s no steep learning curve. and you can dedicate as much or as little time as you like to it, so it’s quite easy to get started.
Search for “best hikes near me”, and Google will give you pages and pages of results with varying degrees of difficulty.All you’ve got to do is pick the right one for you, pack some water and snacks, put on your sturdiest shoes, and head out there!
The fresh air, new sights and the beauty of nature are reward enough for anyone.
Mountain Biking
If you really want to get your heart pumping, there are few activities more thrilling than mountain biking.
Much like hiking, you can find locations almost anywhere, and you need little more than a sturdy bike, a helmet, and a water bottle to get started.
Also, mountain biking is a great way to explore nature in a new way – you’ll constantly be covering new ground, so it’s fantastic exercise for your body and your brain.
Surfing
If you’re looking for a cool factor with your new hobby, look no further – surfing has got to be the coolest activity out there, and it’s a personal favorite of mine!
While it’s restricted to those folks who live in driving distance of the coast (or those willing to travel a bit to fulfill their surfing dreams), it’s a fantastic workout and an intense experience unlike any other.
Once you get started, you’ll see why surfers get up early and paddle out in freezing waters – the thrill of catching a great wave is worth it.
Fishing
This is a traditional hobby for retirees, but it’s a classic for a reason.
The greatest part about going fishing when you’re retired is that you can hit the lake or river any day of the week – no more waiting for Saturday to enjoy yourself!
The best spots won’t be crowded on a Tuesday morning, so it’ll be just you, the water, and all you can catch.
Blogging
If you have a knack for writing, blogging could be a perfect hobby for you.
With drag and drop website builders like Squarespace, it’s never been easier to create your own site and then start blogging. If you’re wondering what you should write about, the answer is, well, anything you’re passionate about!
From cars to cooking, fitness to politics – whatever you’d like to write about, there are readers out there who’d love to read your take, and unique perspective on it.
Photography
Digital or darkroom, photography is a great hobby to pick up in retirement.
If you haven’t shopped cameras in a couple of years, you’ll be stunned at all the options out there. Great cameras can be had at a variety of price points these days, and you can take stellar images with everything from a compact micro 4/3rds camera to a large dSLR with interchangeable lenses.
If you want to get started on the cheap, you could even take a course in smartphone photography – the latest iPhones, Samsungs, and Androids can produce world-class images with a little bit of know how.
Yoga
Maybe you’d like a hobby that’s good for your mind, body, and spirit. Yoga certainly fits the bill.
Not only will it keep you active, it can help to give you greater strength and flexibility. You’ll find beyond the physical benefits it can grant you peace of mind and a better sense of awareness, too.
Best of all, with several different forms to choose from, there’s a yoga for everyone.
Metal Detecting
This is a hobby that can pay for itself – literally.
With just a metal detector and a little bit of time, there’s no end to the treasures you can find!
Whether you like collecting coins, you want to look for jewelry you can sell, or you just like helping out by locating precious mementos that have been lost or left behind, metal detecting can be a great hobby.
Car Restoration
Remember that car you dreamed of having when you were a teen? You know, the one you could never afford at the time, but still think about today?
Well, guess what – it’s never too late. You can find one at an auction or on in an issue of Auto Trader.
It might not be in perfect condition anymore, but that’s actually good news! Since you’re retired, you now have the time to lavish on the car to bring it back to its glory again.
Selling On Amazon
There’s a fortune to be made in eCommerce, and there’s no reason you can’t cash in on it, too.
If you get your start by selling on Amazon, either by creating written content for their Kindle Direct Publishing platform or by selling physical products, you can make good money without a lot of upfront costs.
This isn’t an overnight path to riches, but if you approach it as a hobby, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what you can make while having fun.
Cooking
You’ve probably made what I call “maintenance meals” for years now, but if you enjoy cooking, why not dig in and learn how to make dishes beyond the typical fried chicken or spaghetti?
Stores like Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table offer in-person cooking classes, or you could get an entire education just by following along with Food Network or YouTube videos.
Push your culinary boundaries. You might find you have a creative knack for creating new delicious recipes.
The best part is you get to eat the end results!
With a variety of hobbies to choose from, there’s absolutely no reason for retirement to be boring. Pick one of these, or go with your own! Either way, try something new and remember to have fun with it!
To a richer life,
Nilus Mattive
The post Your Potential is Unlimited appeared first on Daily Reckoning.