After Retirement - Enriching Yourself
Direct self-enrichment results from activities that are aimed at improving your knowledge, skills, or qualities. Examples are endless and tend to fall into natural categories of their own:
Physical
- joining an aqua-swim group
- learning how to paint
- walking or jogging with a friend
- starting a new gardening project
- learning tai-chi or yoga
- playing tennis or badminton
- joining a ballroom dancing class
- bowling, golfing, swimming, etc
- learning to play an instrument
- quilting, embroidering, or crocheting
Mental
- engaging in a brain fitness program
- learning a new language
- joining a lifelong learning program
- attending a college course
- teaching literacy skills
- reading about new subject areas
- writing your autobiography
- mentoring business students or entrepreneurs
- tutoring students of all ages
- taking an acting class
Spiritual
- learning Reiki or other healing practices
- participating in religious activities
- meditating regularly
- traveling to holy sites
- volunteering at a hospital or crisis centre
- helping at an animal shelter
Social
- joining a choir
- participating in a play
- starting a new business
- traveling in a group
- volunteering in the community
In selecting your preferred activities, you may decide to follow up on something you used to enjoy in your youth but had to give up along the way. Yet, nothing prevents you from choosing a brand new activity, just because it’s something new, different, and now feasible.
In choosing physical activities, factors such as age and health must be kept in mind. Most physical activities, when properly planned, may actually improve your health over time. Remember to check with your doctor before taking up any new physical activity.