Generations: New to retirement? Learn from those who have mastered it (2024)

Halfway through the June calendar, it dawned on me that this month marks the 14th anniversary of my retirement.

All of my closest friends have been retired for several years, so I haven’t felt unusual about not getting up at 6 a.m. every morning, dressing professionally, working long days and trying to keep up with everything in the home, family, lawn and garden departments of life.

None of my friends wish they were still working, even though it’s safe to say we all miss the aspects of our jobs that gave us fulfillment.

I have known a few people for whom retirement was dreaded, not wanting to leave a job they love, a predictable routine and productive work for a relatively blank calendar.

It’s fortunate if we’ve managed to have a career that we found especially fitting and rewarding and to be able to retire from a set schedule, but a successful retirement requires more than filling hours. The big question is what you fill those hours with.

Family, friends, hobbies and exercise can now take precedence over work obligations, housework and yardwork on weekends.

In “10 Secrets of a Happy Retirement,” an AARP story by Bruce Horovitz, four of the 10 secrets are “Have lots of interests, connect with friends, take your health seriously, and try new things.” Horovitz also has a few tips about staying close with family and managing financial matters, but these four “secrets” are what I’ve been observing lately.

Courtesy / Sue Bruns

I’m interested in and amazed by what retired people in Bemidji do with their time. Old friends and friends I’ve made since retiring have full, meaningful and productive retirements.

Some are actively involved in caring for grandkids, transporting them, and following their activities and sports; a few have taken on part-time jobs; some travel extensively, hike mountain trails, go on African safaris, swim with sharks, and explore popular and remote parts of the world.

Some write books, take up watercolor painting, attend lots of musical concerts — or perform in them. And most of the retirees I know are dedicated volunteers — at the history center, the hospital, the library, the food shelf — you name it.

I’ve had opportunities (since my primary retirement job is freelance writing) to write about retirees who volunteer as researchers, handymen, entertainers, hospice workers, Salvation Army bell ringers, wood carvers, quilters, Red Door booksellers.

I’ve written about people who perform onstage in Community Band or Bemidji Community Theater and people who have taken on huge voluntary tasks, like directing plays or musical groups; people who have started and have managed huge community events, like Loop the Lake.

The wonderful thing about my retirement job is that I can decide what I want to write about — pursuing ideas that interest me or nixing offers of topics I don’t think I’m suited for or don’t have time to take on.

I enjoy spotlighting people of all ages who are doing things I think are amazing and interesting, but this month I’m especially amazed by retirees who keep their minds open, are continually learning — whether auditing college classes, taking workshops in painting, colored pencil, gardening, attending presentations, taking historic tours or reading and discussing in a book club.

Courtesy / Sue Bruns

And I love to see people involved in healthy physical activities from curling to bowling, cross country skiing, biking, golfing, dancing, swimming — even daily walking.

Retirement is the perfect time to try new things. Some retirees are bold enough to try sky diving, mountain climbing, or scuba diving, but any time we go outside our comfort zone, we expand our minds and experiences. (I’m hoping to give ax throwing a go soon.)

Some learn a new language or art form or devote time to playing that musical instrument they haven’t touched in a while. (Your mom would be happy if you played that family heirloom piano you reluctantly practiced on while taking lessons back in grade school.)

Courtesy / Sue Bruns

Solitary activities are good because you can set your own schedule and spend as much or as little time as you want on them. Not into taking a yoga class? You can do yoga at home in your oldest sweatpants at any time of day that works for you. Can’t commit to a full or half-day workshop? Check out YouTube for tutorials on anything from acrylic painting to fixing your dishwasher.

But even if you’ve never been a social butterfly, you’ll have a healthier retirement if you interact with people — including new friends — regularly. Volunteer opportunities abound and your interests and abilities will jive with several of them.

The Bemidji Senior Center has a full, active calendar with everything from mahjong and cribbage playing to dancing to wood carving. Recently I’ve met a few people new to Bemidji who have chosen to get connected with other people by joining the Senior Center or volunteering at the History Center.

Courtesy / Sue Bruns

After a lifetime of working, you deserve a break, more time to sleep and less time to worry about what to wear. You can take a mid-day nap any time you want and establish a sleep routine that doesn’t require an alarm clock in the morning.

And it’s OK if you decide to binge-watch "Bodkin" on Netflix, but don’t deprive yourself of opportunities to get out, see and do new things, and interact with people.

Whether you find a book club, join a bowling league, decide to try a Namibian wilderness safari, take up square dancing, or start showing up at Life Long Learning presentations, don’t waste a minute of your retirement.