One of the great gifts of retirement is the time to pursue pastimes old and new.
For some of us, though, its a challenge to find the right hobby.
We consulted people with in-depth knowledge of how older adults can fill their days and achieve meaningful goals.
Conquer stage fright
Youve got a lifetime of stories, and the kids think youre funny.
Whats stopping you from sharing your wit and wisdom with the world or at least with a local audience?
Comedy clubs and cafes often host open mic nights where anyone can perform.
Many community theaters encourage older adults to audition for plays.
Get cooking
Few things bring folks together like cooking.
Youll also find a wide selection of online cooking classes and food events in theAARP Virtual Community Center.
For something more intimate, create a cooking club with friends and neighbors.
you could take turnshostinggatherings to share recipes and show off kitchen skills.
Its one of the oldest forms of painting, dating to the ancient Greeks.
Cultivate a flower-arranging hobby
Arranging flowers is a great way to bring a little more beauty into your life.
Many local community centers and senior centers offer regular flower-arranging classes, some of them online.
Theyre common in retirement communities too.
Tustin gave it a shot, hiring a guide for her first time, and loved it.
Look online for classes in your area.
(One exception is FamilySearch, a free service operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
)The National Archiveshas online tutorials and other free resources for beginner genealogists.
Try geocaching: Grown-up hide-and-seek
Geocaching is an outdoor activity akin to a technology-aided, global game of hide-and-seek.
Think of it as a real-world, outdoor treasure hunt, Chandra says.
Go to Geocaching.com to create an account, either online or through the free app.
That will take you to a map of geocaches in your area.
The site also has lots of resources to help you hone your skills.
(Similar sites include OpenCaching North America and EarthCache.)
Chandra says the biggest benefit of geocaching is walking outside and interacting with nature.
Make glass beads
There are few hobbies more dazzling than making glass beads, says Tustin.
Its much easier than you might think, Tustin says.
She recommends starting with a video lesson; many craft-focused YouTube channels have tutorials for beginners.
Search online to see if local art centers and studios offer hands-on classes.
Fall under hula dancings sway
You might get hooked on hula for relaxing fitness and balance training.
Chandra discovered hula dancing on a cruise in the North Pacific.
It was love at first sway she attended every class she could throughout the 25-day trip.
If youre a cruiser, see if hula classes are among the onboard offerings, Chandra says.
