Rediscovering Creativity in Retirement

One thing you’ll probably notice when you retire is that it might be a bigger change than you expect. That’s because your work doesn’t just dictate where you go everyday and what you do when you’re there, it also sets a lot of your schedule.

Think about it. The time you set your alarm for every morning is because of your job. The way you get ready each day is because of your job. When you run errands, see friends and family, and enjoy leisure time is all because of your job. 

That all changes when you retire. 

A lot of those changes are positive! You can sleep in (if you want)! You can shop for groceries in the middle of a weekday and beat the crowds! You can have lunch with your sister whenever you want! 

However, there are challenges that come along with this newfound freedom. When you’re working, it’s relatively easy to set a schedule. Yes, you’ll probably be busy, but a lot of the “hard stuff” is done for you. You don’t have to think about how to spend the hours, for instance. 

That might sound strange when you think about it at first. However, your job structured a lot of your life, so you didn’t need to do that for yourself. Now that you’re no longer working, this responsibility falls on your shoulders. 

It’s often easier said than done. It’s common for retirees to feel overwhelming by the unstructured nature of retirement. For the first time in probably 30 or 40 years, you have nothing structuring your life. This can feel intimidating and even overwhelming. However, it’s also an incredible opportunity.

Retirement is an excellent time to rediscover your creativity and curiosity and there are a lot of ways to do this. 

How to Rediscover Your Curiosity

One of the biggest mental shifts you’ll need to make in retirement is to move out of “efficiency mode.” When you’re working, you have work goals. You want to accomplish those goals as efficiently as possible. Even outside of work, your life is based on getting things done. You’re checking boxes and completing tasks. Retirement is different. You’re allowed to explore for the sake of exploring and get lost in activities.

This is great for your brain. It helps it become more receptive to learning, encourages the creation of new neurons and connections, and boosts dopamine which activates your body’s reward system. 

Of course, you’re not expected to immediately jump into a completely different life all at once. That’s another important thing to learn about retirement: it’s perfectly okay to ease into it. There are a lot of ways to slowly expand your creativity when you’re retired.

Revisit Old Hobbies

This is perhaps the best first step to take because it doesn’t require you to step too far out of your comfort zone. Think about some of the things you enjoyed years or even decades ago. Maybe life got too busy or you got sidetracked, but now you can return to some of your older hobbies.

Painting, woodworking, gardening, cycling, playing an instrument, and many other activities are perfect to return to after many years. Start slow and don’t put any pressure on yourself if you’re not at the level you once were. 

This is where you’ll need to focus on shifting out of productivity mode and into exploration mode. The goal isn’t to be a master right away. It’s not to get things done or check a box. You’re doing your hobby just for the sake of doing your hobby.

Tell yourself that you’re going to try the hobby for a few weeks. This will keep you from giving up right away if your passion isn’t sparked, but it also lets your mind know that there’s an exit coming up if you want it. That keeps you from feeling like you’re forcing yourself to try something.

If you try several different things that you used to enjoy, you’ll almost certainly find one or two that rekindle some old joy.

Expand into New Hobbies

Of course, you don’t just need to return to old hobbies. There are so many other hobbies out there you can try as well! The important thing is to go into them with the same mentality as your older hobbies. You’re not going to be a master. You don’t need to achieve anything. You’re just trying this out.

What hobbies should you try? This is different for everyone, of course, but think about what activities you’ve always found interesting. You’re not going this to be a master or make a career or impress anyone. If you’ve always wanted to learn a new language or become a photographer or learn how to dance, this is your chance!

Not All Hobbies Have to Be Active

When it comes to hobbies, learning something new or developing a skill are some of the most common (and often most beneficial) choices. However, not every hobby has to involve you actually doing something.

That sounds strange, but it’s true. Watching movies can be a hobby. So can attending musical performances or plays. Going to a museum or art gallery counts as well! These are all experiences and they’ll stimulate your mind and help you feel good. 

While it’s great to do something active (especially physical activities like cycling, swimming, or hiking), not all of your hobbies need to involve your active participation. Sometimes it’s just great to take in something new. 

Give Yourself a Schedule

Retirement takes away a lot of the regular schedule of your life, and that can be great! However, some structure is still important. It keeps you motivated and helps you fill your days without stress or worry. 

However, your schedule in retirement shouldn’t be the same every day. Variety is where creativity and curiosity thrive. So, mix things up! Change when you go out each day, what hobbies to do, and who you see. A lot of retirees pick a day of the week (often Sunday or Monday), and they use that day to plan their week. 

This isn’t about building a rigid lifestyle for yourself; it’s about crafting a plan that helps facilitate a creative lifestyle.

Be Okay with Slowing Down

While a schedule is a great tool to help you through retirement, don’t feel like you need to be doing something every minute of your day. For a lot of people who had busy careers focused on achievements and goals, one of the hardest parts of retirement is having free time.

While you don’t want to spend each and every day sitting on the couch (which is why having a schedule is so great), you should also know that an afternoon of relaxation and letting your mind wander isn’t “wasting time.” You don’t need to be doing something at every moment.

Sometimes, the greatest creativity strikes when you’re “doing nothing.” So, leave some gaps in your weekly schedule and let your mind wander during these times. 

Be Social

Time spent with friends and family can also improve your creativity and curiosity. Now that you’re free from rushing around and cutting coffee dates and dinners short because of your busy work schedule, you have more time to get lost in conversation.

Friends and family can even inspire you along your journey.

It can truly be beautiful and lifechanging to spend hours talking with others. Let yourself embrace these moments. Your life used to be based around goals and achievements. Now it’s based on curiosity and creativity. It takes times to get to these points and changing your life won’t happen overnight, but it’s really wonderful when you arrive.