How do you get a purpose during retirement?

[Straight-8]

Thanks for raising this topic. It is one of the reasons I don't retire: will I feel fulfilled by a lifetime of 'hobbies'? I doubt it. My plan (still on hold) is to find my 'passion' and go for it. There are several that attract me: taking my interest in dogs to a semi-professional level (i.e. training kennel); captaining a charter sailboat; painting more and actually selling some of them.

The constant theme is 'going pro' - and I'm not sure why that matters to me (yes I'm an 'A' type personality but that doesn't really get me far in my thoughts). I don't really want/need to earn income from any of these activities but I know myself too well to assume I'll be able to leave it at the hobby level. Hell, I'll probably have a charter fleet (or what have you) 5 years after retirement; or go broke trying!

 

[DrHappy]

Hello naamplao,

I'm really into photography as well. Try astrophotography for a even more frustration

As far as finding a purpose, I'd recommend looking for activities that involve people. I oscillate between extrovert & introvert tendencies. I absolutely love photography and I love going out alone sometimes, but I need to refill my quota of human interaction fairly often.

 

[naamplao]

Thanks for raising this topic. It is one of the reasons I don't retire: will I feel fulfilled by a lifetime of 'hobbies'? I doubt it. My plan (still on hold) is to find my 'passion' and go for it. There are several that attract me: taking my interest in dogs to a semi-professional level (i.e. training kennel); captaining a charter sailboat; painting more and actually selling some of them.

The constant theme is 'going pro' - and I'm not sure why that matters to me (yes I'm an 'A' type personality but that doesn't really get me far in my thoughts).

I am a type A personality as well but I try to conceal it. I can do many things...too many for some people's taste. If I meet a person who has a talent that I know nothing about I grill them about it until I can understand their passion...I suppose I am a knowledge sponge.

I like the phrase "Lifetime of hobbies". Having many hobbies is a good thing in one way since getting bored with one is not a problem since you just bounce to another. But on the other hand you never seem to focus on one...at least I don't.

 

[naamplao]

I'm really into photography as well. Try astrophotography for a even more frustration

As far as finding a purpose, I'd recommend looking for activities that involve people. I oscillate between extrovert & introvert tendencies. I absolutely love photography and I love going out alone sometimes, but I need to refill my quota of human interaction fairly often.

Astrophotography sounds cool...I always think of pictures of the Horse's nebula that I have seen. The equipement sounds a little pricey to just try and I have no knowledge of where to look but there is a science centre group that does sightings so that would just be a matter of education.

Human interaction is something I have troubles with. Since my divorce 3 years ago I have had one semi-serious (albeit long distance) relationship that lasted about 2 years but that is basically over with....long distance relationships are both exciting and frustrating.

I think having someone to share your passions with is a major part of the equation. Personally I tend to be a bit of a show-off...attention seeker...I'll admit it freely. Photography tends to help me since it can be a solo hobby (bird photography in the woods) or surrounded by people (Go-Kart racing). But I find I need an audience for my results.

Having someone to share the highs and lows of life is definately part of the equation.

 

[DrHappy]

You can do some fairly cheap astrophotography with a tripod and a wide angle lens. Find a dark place away from the city without a moon and shoot some star trails. Shoot north and capture an imagine of the stars rotating around the north star. You can get some neat stuff with exposures as short as 30 seconds.

By "human interaction", I'm talking about simple non-romantic friendship. Being a part of other people's lives is part of what makes life worth living for me. At one time, I was a member of six clubs when I was single. I never seriously dated anyone that I met in these clubs, but I learned a lot and my life was enriched by getting to know these people. I've seriously cut back on my club activities after getting married, but I still keep in close touch with some of my friends from these clubs. One of the more rewarding clubs was a singles Toastmasters club. Everyone gets to take a turn in being a ham in Toastmasters.

 

[naamplao]

You can do some fairly cheap astrophotography with a tripod and a wide angle lens. Find a dark place away from the city without a moon and shoot some star trails. Shoot north and capture an imagine of the stars rotating around the north star. You can get some neat stuff with exposures as short as 30 seconds.

I don't think that would interest me so much as other photography I do.

One of the more rewarding clubs was a singles Toastmasters club. Everyone gets to take a turn in being a ham in Toastmasters.

I have been to 2-3 of these clubs but haven't really found one that I liked. Each club has a theme of some sort and I didn't find a mix of people that I felt comfortable with. I have no trouble talking in public...as a salesman I had to do this routinely with seminars and such...I think it is the formalizing of speech making that turned me off. They are supportive for people trying to get over their fear of talking in public but I didn't need that.