Many people dream of the day when they can pack in work and retire – you are finally free of workplace stress and are not tied to a schedule, giving you the freedom to enjoy your time exactly how you want. However, there might be certain things that you miss from your workplace, such as the sense of camaraderie and social interactions with your colleagues. If over the years, work and family commitments have caused you to neglect any previous friendships, you might find that you are very lonely in your retirement. Fortunately, it is easy to build connections and make new friends. Here is how to have a lively social life in retirement.
Pick up a new hobby
Retirement provides you with plenty of time to pick up a new hobby. You might, for instance, have always wanted to learn conversational Spanish, or reconnect with your love of painting. Though it is possible to practice your hobby alone, it can be much more fun to do it with other people. Classes might be available for you to learn Spanish alongside other keen learners, for instance, or you could join a community of passionate artists from whom you can pick up techniques and inspiration.
Move to an assisted living community
You might think that assisted living communities are primarily for people who require additional support in their day-to-day activities. While that is certainly a consideration, it is not the only reason. For example, residents at Brightview assisted living in Rockville, MD say that one of the biggest factors in choosing an assisted living community is the overall community feel and connection to other residents. You become a part of a ready-made community consisting of people of a similar age to yourself, and there are always events scheduled where you can socialize and have fun with your new friends.
Become a volunteer
If you are passionate about a certain cause and want to give back to your community, as well as meet new people, you could become a volunteer for a charity. There are many volunteer roles you can choose from depending on the charity. For example, if you are an animal lover, you could volunteer to clean pens at a local animal shelter. Or, if you have retail experience, you could volunteer at your local Goodwill. Volunteering for a charity is a great way to meet like-minded individuals while feeling that you are making a positive change to your community.
Join a club
There are many clubs available specifically designed to help retirees to connect with each other. For instance, a lunch club or morning coffee group are both fun ways of regularly meeting others in your situation while enjoying a delicious meal. You could even take it in turns to bake a delicious cake to accompany your morning coffee. Alternatively, other activities such as book clubs and local history groups are both great ways of meeting other like-minded retired people.
