You had big plans for your retirement. But lately, you feel stuck in unhealthy and unfulfilling routines that leave you feeling disappointed, discouraged, and held back.

 

This isn’t an uncommon experience after retirement. We spend our lives racing to keep up with day-to-day responsibilities. Once the neverending to-do list is gone, we don’t know what to do with ourselves. Without the tools to move forward, we end up doing little more than treading water.

 

This, of course, is not a sustainable strategy for long-term well-being. Mental and emotional health is just as important to healthy aging as physical health. The recent video at Alive Explorations explains more about the importance of mental and emotional wellness.

 

So how can you get more of what you want out of life in retirement? Here’s what to do when you’re craving personal growth but don’t know where to start.

Get into a daily routine

Routine creates structure. In turn, structure allows freedom. Adopt daily habits that care for the body, boost your energy, and create the momentum you need to keep moving forward. This includes eating healthy homemade meals, exercising, and doing chores as well as breaking bad habits like spending too much time on television or social media.

 

Do you struggle to establish new habits? Use apps to stay accountable to your daily and weekly goals. You can find basic to-do list apps like Todoist or gamify your goals with an app like Habitica.

Pick up an old hobby

Old hobbies are a good place to start when you’re unsure how to fill your newfound free time. Meetup is the go-to place to meet people who share your hobby whether you want to reignite your passion for the arts, athletics, language, or another pastime. You can also look for hobby and interest groups on Facebook or find local groups on Nextdoor.

Learn something new

It’s never too late to learn new tricks. Do you want to practice a musical instrument, make pottery, write a book, learn to tango, or give surfing a shot? There’s never been a better time to step outside your comfort zone and do something you’ve always wanted to do but didn’t have the time or courage to try.

Put yourself out there

Is there a passion project you always wished you had the opportunity to pursue? Stop waiting until the “right time” or limiting yourself to what you think retirement should look like. If you want to spend your retirement earning a Ph.D., starting a business, or fundraising for charity, self-doubt is the last thing that should stand in your way.

 

Our own fears and securities are often a bigger obstacle than logistical concerns. Take starting a business, for example: It only costs $100 to $120 to form an LLC in Virginia. With just a few documents, you can gain the legal and financial protections of a business, avoid any complicated tax requirements, and join the growing contingent of entrepreneurs over 50. You don’t have to earn a million in Year One — you just have to take the first step.

Strengthen your relationships

Daily life as a working woman doesn’t leave much time for intimacy and connection. Over the years, busy schedules cause close relationships to grow distant but they don’t have to stay that way. Reach out to friends, coworkers, and family members you haven’t spoken to in a while. You may find it’s easy to reignite the sparks of friendship when you make socializing part of your routine.

 

Marriages in particular go through changes and challenges in retirement. Misaligned expectations and a lack of structure breed frustration and resentment and contribute to the growing number of newly-divorced retirees. Forthcoming conversations about how life will change in retirement are a must for married couples. Only with strong communication can you navigate this new phase of your lives together happily and healthily.

 

Retirement is full of promise and possibility, but you can’t take advantage of it without the right tools. If you’re feeling lost in retirement, start taking little steps towards a more fulfilling lifestyle. What starts with a few positive daily habits before long can blossom into the retirement you always hoped for.

 

-Written by Jason Lewis