This is quite interesting about happiness and talks about happiness in retirement. He talks about not having lived near grandparents, and his wife and he are being more involved with his kids and grandkids. How widows do generally better than widowers and some of the reasons. How he is becoming happier in life. You have probably heard of him and books (including a book he has cowritten with Oprah). “Positive Psychology”
You absolutely know yourself on this topic. My sister knows she absolutely will want ‘freedom’ and remain a widow if and when her spouse dies before she does (he is now 86 and she is 70, so likely he will go first). She was 25 and he was 41 when they married - she gave up things early in life, and he liked control; she had some areas of control.
I doubt that I will outlive DH since he has longevity in his lineage and I have had cancer and other health issues, but I would potentially be interested in dating/courtship and marriage.
Some of this made me think while watching to this You tube that a high-profile divorce attorney (and writer of books and in the media). He has very interesting concepts and ideas, but interesting that when he talked about love in his own life he mentioned his sons (clearly divorced from their mother, in some of his conversation about having the kids on a particular weekend); he grew up in a faith but not following now it seems; no wedding ring and talked about love of his whole succession of dogs. He had interesting stories. I suspect most of us on this thread are in current marriages, or have been married. Interesting what he said about a man that won a $50 M Powerball, and wasn’t interested in divorce with splitting the winnings, but she was and they did divorce. Hope this is not found as too ‘off topic’ because other people’s divorces can also affect our ‘life in retirement’. Interesting that a lot of people that divorce remarry within 5 years.
Thanks - I liked the Life Lesson video upthread. (The above Divorce etc post is not totally ‘off topic’ for this audience… just not the upbeat vibe I look forward to seeing in this particular What’s Next thread.)
The video had a topic I think about a lot. (LOL - ref my various posts about exercise and healthy eating.) How can new retirement habits keep me living longer (maybe)… and with longer stretch of health and mobility and independence?
I am part of a large-ish group of women in my neighborhood (and the one adjacent) which was started last year. It is oriented to fitness activities of all sorts and social meet ups and activities. I started a book club in this group and am now an administrator of the group.
One of the things I enjoy most is the dance classes in my neighborhood. It’s through the park district but it’s really a bunch of women who live nearby and it’s a blast. Several of us have become friends. The dancing is like a low impact jazzercize, it’s fun and a good workout. I never thought I could dance but I am finding that I can keep up and enjoy moving my body to music. It’s good for me socially, helps my brain and coordination.
I am so jealous of this! Exactly what I’d like to have in my own neighborhood. Maybe when the weather turns!
Another area of living that I am looking forward to spending more time on is food. I got into the sourdough world a year ago. Tried making crumpets for the first time this morning. I’d like to read more food related books/cookbooks. Take a class in learning a new cooking skill or ethnic variety.
For those with grandkids, do you have opportunity to do fun things with them where you didn’t have the time and/or money to do with your own kids?
My memories: I had four lovely grandparents, but one grandfather in particular just loved to play with us and be silly. I have a notebook from my mother where she saved all l the various jokes he mailed to us. After they moved closer, we had all sorts of fun. Date night for my parents was win-win-win for all generations because we spent the night with grandparents. They drove us to church the next morning, listening to the Polka radio program…. always laughed when they played the “She’s too fat for me” polka (times were different then).
The week we retired we got a dog. It’s been 9 years now and we walk her 3-4 miles a day. She does not let us forget. There is always a time of day that is warm enough and dry enough to do it.
We get grocery pickup. I can study the food I order and I don’t do impulse buying that way. We can even look at a recipe and get what we need by checking at home if we have the ingredients.
+1 to the idea that a dog keeps you active! And happy.
I’m getting my neighbors mail while she is in Costa Rica . This was jammed in her mailbox and I can’t help but want to look at it. Don’t know if you can purchase or request a copy but this is like a grown up version of the Sears Toy Catalog!! 218 pages worth!
I’ll also be in DC in March for meetings at Congressional offices, with an organization involved with issues around colorectal cancer (my husband died from that disease). One of my sons will be with me. We’ve been going for years now, and it’s always fun to meet and talk with the other groups from all over the country, involved and advocating on behalf of so many different issues.
I’m still a few months from retirement, so I’m getting lots of ideas here–thanks, all!
Oh, Road Scholar will DEFINITELY send you a catalog for free! And then more new issues (and related brochures) will just keep coming! I now have a magazine holder jammed full of these–and from other tour places mentioned here, and others I never even asked for–and I haven’t gone anywhere yet!
What kind of dog? Does she like snow? Last night out for beer/dinner with old co-worker friends/wives (a TGIF tradition that continues in retirement), we saw the cutest video. A tiny little “grandpuppy” didn’t like it… found a way to walk on her front paws, almost like a circus performer.
PS - a fun article for dog owners (and wannabe owners)… “owning a dog can make you appear 10 years younger”
H and I have always had a dog or dogs. It is good exercise and I see neighbors every day. Some interactions are better than others! Sabadog is fearful of off leash dogs as the result of an attack when she was young. Sabapup has picked up on that, but there are certain dogs she really likes. Sabadog is 11+ and I’m honestly not sure if we will have two dogs when she is gone. I’m the chief caregiver and it definitely takes a toll on your body.
@abasket, Masterclass has numerous cooking classes - that’s one of the reasons I signed up. I’m really interested in the Poilane bread baking series. I’ve also done cooking classes with Elyse Kopecky (Run Fast, East Slow) and I’m doing a French pastry cooking school. Our meals since retirement are substantially better - I love to cook. H is the chief prep cook and dishwasher, so it works out well.
I created an account with Road Scholar when planning the Yosemite trip, and get tons of emails and brochures. And alerts about free online presentations - not a lot (most have fees) but there are a few. I signed up for Il Divino — Michelangelo & The High Renaissance later this month. And a special anniversary talk in early April: 2025 Keynote: Doris Kearns Goodwin on Leadership in Turbulent Times. You can go on their site and search for “online” to see what’s being offered.
Yes, all virtual. Short 15 minute lessons for the most part within courses. There are written materials for download. It was an impulse purchase for me during a bout of cabin fever!
