What to do after retirement: 12 Inspiring ways to fill your retirement days!

Always wanted to travel? You’re not alone. An Australian survey found 71% of retirees prioritise travel and now you’ll have the time! 

Consider what excites you most - bustling cities, remote beaches, a lap around Australia. Then, create a bucket list, considering how you will travel and with whom – by yourself, as a couple, or with friends. 

Travel doesn’t have to mean going somewhere far away – you could explore your surroundings. Your local council or tourist information centre will have loads of information on attractions and experiences hiding in your own backyard. 

Next, set a budget. Make the most of your Seniors Card and look for discounts on travel, accommodation and travel insurance. If you need to stretch your holiday dollar further, explore creative hacks like house and pet-sitting for free accommodation.

If you live in a BaptistCare retirement community, you’ll enjoy a low-maintenance independent living retirement home in a secure setting, giving you the freedom and peace of mind to lock up and leave any time you please. Some of our properties even have secure onsite parking for your caravan or RV.

One of the best answers to what to do after retirement is the perfect time to revisit old hobbies and discover new skills. Reflect on what brings you joy, sparks creativity, or reignites old passions.

Love music? Try karaoke or join a line-dancing group. Feeling creative? Write a book or take up pottery. Handy with tools? Experiment with woodworking or restoring furniture. Interested in history? Research your family tree. Perhaps you prefer the great outdoors. Join a walking group or go birdwatching. The possibilities are endless.

As with travel, check local council, library and community centres for retirement guides. Explore social media groups matching your interests. Search event booking platforms for special interest catch-ups. If you’re considering a BaptistCare retirement community, check out its facilities and activities. 

Retirement planning could also include embracing new skills. Many retirees find it’s the perfect time for lifelong learning, helping to keep your mind sharp while exploring new passions.

You could try learning another language to boost memory skills and connect with other cultures, pick up an instrument to spark creativity and reduce stress, or master technology to navigate the digital world confidently. 

The Government’s online Be Connected program helps retirees become tech-savvy. Or you could join a face-to-face technology course, often available to retirees free or at low-cost.

Your time and effort as a volunteer can have a significant impact and benefit you. Volunteering has been linked to improved mental and physical health, increased life satisfaction, and enhanced social connections. 

You could become a BaptistCare HopeStreet volunteer and help people experiencing significant life challenges. Or you could support local festivals as a guide or mentor. If you have a particular expertise, consider volunteering as a competition judge. Join a care group, the volunteer coast guard, or the SES. Check out the Australian government’s Hanging to help out page for volunteering opportunities. 

Decluttering isn’t just good for your home, it’s good for mental health! A tidy space reduces stress, boosts mood, and helps you feel in control. Start small, decide what’s important, and let go of the rest. Get help if it feels overwhelming. Decluttering might also put money in your pocket! Selling unused items online, at a garage sale, or through local marketplaces can turn clutter into cash. 

After decluttering, it’s a great time to consider whether your home still suits your lifestyle. Downsizing to a BaptistCare Independent Living Retirement Home means you’ll enjoy secure, low-maintenance living in a welcoming retirement community. With great facilities like swimming pools, gyms, bowling greens, workshops, and beautiful communal spaces, there are plenty of ways to stay active, social and connected.  

Regular exercise combined with rest and recovery helps boost physical and mental health. Staying active also assists in preventing and managing conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, while easing symptoms of depression and anxiety. It can also sharpen your mind, lift your spirits, and enhance quality of life – so it’s another essential thing to consider when retirement planning. 

Activities like walking, swimming, or tai chi improve balance, strength, and flexibility. Group classes such as low-impact or water aerobics offer fun, social ways to stay fit. There are also plenty of online exercise classes you can join from home. The key is finding activities you enjoy and can maintain.

Mindfulness and meditation are powerful practices that promote calm and relaxation. These techniques ease stress and anxiety and train the mind to remain focused during challenging times.  

Regular mindfulness may be beneficial for people with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and fibromyalgia. It may also help lower cholesterol, improve blood pressure and strengthen immunity. Additionally, mindfulness can enhance brain health, boost cognitive function, and contribute to healthy ageing. Best of all, getting started is simple – read a well-reviewed book, take part in an online course, or attend a local retirees meditation class.  

Owning a pet in retirement brings joy and companionship, supporting both mental and physical wellbeing. The Australian Seniors For the love of pets 2023 White Paper, reveals 96% of seniors agree that pets provide unconditional love and help ease loneliness, while 95% say pets positively impact their emotional wellbeing.  

Caring for a pet also encourages an active lifestyle, as they do need to be exercised. Owning a pet may also pave the way to new experiences. If you take home a puppy, for example, you might head on out to dog training and meet new people. 

More great news - you can bring your small pet with you to some BaptistCare retirement community villages!

You've probably suspected what many studies confirm - the more socially connected and involved you are, the longer and happier your life. Research from Harvard University’s Study of Adult Development found that strong relationships hold the key.  

So, make time for the people you care most about. Schedule regular catch-ups - family dinners, outings, special celebrations, adventures, holidays and date nights and explore opportunities to socialise in your retirement community with fellow retirees.

Wondering what to do after retirement that's both meaningful and creative? Storytelling is a wonderful way to share experiences, express creativity, and explore your thoughts. If telling your story has been something you’ve always wanted to do, make it part of your retirement planning. Getting started is easier than you think.  

There are loads of online and in-person courses and programs that can help, whether you want to write a memoir, a novel, or something else. Writing tools can also help make the process easy and fun. Online platforms like WordPress are great for starting a blog, allowing you to share stories and add personal touches with photos or graphics. 

As the poet Alfred Austin once said, there’s a glory in gardening – “…hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature.” 

Studies also show gardening is linked to improved health and wellbeing. It also offers gentle exercise for strength and mobility. 

You don’t need a big backyard to enjoy the magic of gardening, either. A tomato vine on the verandah of your independent living retirement home, herbs on your windowsill, a tub of annuals in your courtyard, or a bonsai shaped with your own hands, can bring so much pleasure and joy.  

Many BaptistCare retirement living villages have both private and communal gardens, providing spaces to enjoy fresh air, connect with neighbours and experience the joy of gardening together. 

Being creative isn’t just a fun way to spend time, according to a British study, it also boosts wellbeing. The specific art or craft you choose and your skill level are not what matter most; it’s the joy of participating that truly counts and the opportunity to open your world to new experiences, so factor it into your retirement planning.  

You can explore a wide range of engaging creative activities to spark your interest and enthusiasm. Time-honoured arts include painting, drawing, and colouring-in. Crafts like knitting, crocheting and embroidery are also popular.  

You might want to think outside the square and try something like jewellery-making, clock restoration, model building (planes or trains), scrapbooking, resin art, or leadlighting.  

Many hobbies and interests can be done from the comfort of your own independent living retirement home, but joining in-person workshops or hobby groups is a fantastic way to hone your skills while connecting with fellow retirees. Again, check what’s on offer in your community and make use of that Seniors Card to access discounts.