I think my favorite part of retirement is giving away all my office clothes, and never having to figure out what to wear every morning at 5:45 am. Honestly, it’s the best.
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Just a note to say I’m really enjoying this thread. The other thread while it has many good purposes and info often just ended up stressing me out, lol. 
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I am still working, but I do t see myself wearing suits ever again. I have many, many suits and blazers. Maybe I should start getting rid of them.
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This is not official “volunteering”, but during Covid I started calling an elderly lady at church. She has no children and just liked having somebody to listen to her interesting stories, especially from her career days in NYC. I continued to stay in contact, do various errands and sometimes take her to church. Now I visit her and call her at rehab center. Most of this been on my own schedule, which. like. (The situation has gotten more complex over time, so I’m relieved that her neighbor and remote nephew now handle the hard work and interaction with social workers etc.)
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There are NGOs that collect business clothing for young/poor/formerly incarcerated people looking for a job. But of course I am sure you know that.
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@conmama can sell them for you on her Poshmark/EBay shop! 
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I love volunteering for Be My Eyes.
Totally remote. You can answer the call or not- someone else will. I started it during covid and it has picked up lately. Maybe once or twice a month I get a call for help. They know your time zone. It’s actually fascinating and rewarding.
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What is Be My Eyes? Never heard of it.
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I have been called from what appears to me to be British accents and I’m sure it is night there and daytime here. The last one was a woman who needed help with her makeup. I’ve had a gentleman dressing for a wedding and wanted to match his tie to his suit. I helped connect a scanner/printer to wifi. Got called to read a recipe from a cake box. I once had a call that I could not help- some electrical question. I think the longest call was the makeup one. I think the point is that they do not want to bother their friends or family and want an anonymous person helping them.
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I looked up the organization and it looks so helpful. What a creative and interesting volunteer opportunity!
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My nonprofit endeavors evolved because of my health. I have a chronic medical condition that is underfunded, under researched and often undertreated. When I retired from being a judge, I started a nonprofit to help increase awareness, education and advocacy. I’ve been pulled into leadership for a national org and have several opportunities to do other different options as time and interest permit. I believe our org and I have made a big difference.
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Looks like a great organization!!
I think it helped that I worked part time for many years while raising kids so I had an at home life that allowed me to pursue things I liked to do vs having to do.
Two biggest for me have always been exercise ( tennis/paddle/yoga/strength/walking) and volunteering. These keep me busy/engaged every single day in addition to home responsibilities. I no longer have any elder care responsibilities which for many of my friends is how they are spending a lot of their retirement time.
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I am one of those people who loved working. I planned to work until age 66 1/2, but due to a number of circumstances I retired in Jan 2021 before I turned 64. We spent a year cleaning out our house and getting it ready to sell. I have to say I love being retired. The best part is the luxury of time. I still get up early (around 6), but rather than rush to workout/shower/dress/get to the office, I can chill with a cup or two of coffee, read the NYT on line and do my puzzles.
I really enjoy being able to attend fitness classes and other daytime activities and traveling without worrying about taking PTO. I have little interest in volunteering as I was a SAHM for 10+ years and volunteered way too much!
Life does throw some curveballs, though. I had envisioned an active retirement with H (we moved to a very active city, which I love), but he suffered a back injury and walking even a block or so is painful for him. (please no advice- he has tried many treatments without success). So my visions of walking and hiking together, trying pickleball, etc together are not possible. It’s hard for him to explore things like museums or go to events like the state fair, etc. So there is a loss.
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This is exactly why I can’t see retiring. I already get to do all of that since I have complete flexibility in what time I work and how much time off I take ( I’m only paid when I work). Has anyone here or their spouse stopped entirely doing a job with complete flexibility?
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I think that’s part of not wanting to volunteer. My whole life working has been an obligation to be somewhere at a set time. I’m over feeling like I have to be anywhere. Because once I sign up, then it’s an obligation.
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Um, no. Lol! It doesn’t work like that anyway.
I was just teasing. 
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I left work in April 2012 at 51 because I had zero energy. Was ten years into leukemia, had a full cardiac arrest six weeks later (thanks, new chemo). Haven’t had stamina to commit to a job since, though my former boss would have had me back in a second. Worked at the synagogue part time from 2016-2018, left for a variety of reasons, but I learned I couldn’t work and have energy to exercise, so I started gaining back weight I had worked hard to lose.
Karma bit me in the tush – I was drafted into becoming president of our synagogue, with a dwindling, aging congregation and a building we can’t afford to maintain. Am in my second year and have learned more about commercial real estate sales than I ever imagined possible. It’s a 40/hr week volunteer gig. Turns out my career in employee benefits communication and pension/401k administration provides a nice variety of skills that translate well in project management/communications/legal/finance projects.
After my term is up, I want to improve my Hebrew reading so I can lead parts of services and will still be on the board as an ex-officio member. Post-sale, there will still be much to do. I’d like both of us to get back to cooking for shelters – we used to do it, and just did it for a men’s shelter project through the synagogue. We have real synergy together on things like this, and it would be a good activity in retirement.
I’m a total night owl – I usually go to bed around 3 am and get up at 9. I enjoy the early morning sun, but treasure the quiet of the night. Drives H crazy, but going to bed and tossing for hours isn’t good sleep hygiene.
I still don’t call myself retired. I miss a paycheck, the comraderie of the office, and the credibility that came with it. I have lots of hobbies that keep me busy – photography, quilting, plants, embroidery and house projects. We are doing our go-go travel now while I still can. Our sons are 3000 and 5000 miles away, each in a different direction. One is in a LTR, the other has been married a year. No grandchildren, don’t know if that will happen, but we will always be the far away, second language grandparents if it happens. I’m also a professional patient, so while I’m still here, it comes at a cost. Orthopedic issues are becoming more significant than long-term cancer and heart damage.
H is 63, still working FT+ and expects to continue for at least another four years. He goes into the office two days a week, WFH the other days. That may be changing in the coming weeks. His job is his life. My concern is that his hobbies are eating, cooking and reading. Does not exercise. Does not intend to do so. We don’t really have friends to socialize with and he’s not particularly interested in any.
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I am amazed at all your accomplish!
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