As I watch my parents and their friends enter retirement one by one, it is interesting to see how they handle this significant life changing event. Some like to jump on the next flight to Tanzania while others go stir crazy at their house and find themselves re-entering the workforce only 3 months later, merely from boredom. Then somewhere in the middle, there seems to be a large portion of the retiree population that like to stay grounded to their roots; family, house, and community. Yet, they are content with not working, either because they are tired of their work or are conveniently satisfied with a slower pace and less going on. To these folks, I say immediately find a hobby and set a goal, if you haven’t already done so, because it can impact your well-being and perhaps even prolong your life. Mind you, this doesn’t have to be some far reaching goal like hiking Mount Everest, but merely a challenge related to your hobby. These personal goals, hobbies or otherwise, fight off complacency, and can even help to avoid a state of mind that wants to spiral into depression or early onset dementia.
Recently, a 65 year old broke a bottle of champagne across the bow of his sailboat to christen the boat he built and named after his three grandsons (at the time). I saw first hand how this project, which stemmed from one of his finest hobbies, woodworking and shipbuilding, not only became a place to escape the woes of life but also contributed to an ongoing fulfillment. Indeed, this Herreshoff H-12½ sailboat, with her perfectly proportioned hull shape and unique adjustable lead keel, provided just as much challenge and enjoyment out of the water as it has in the water. And while there was undoubtedly much consideration given to the selection of this timeless design to construct a boat that will last for generations, far less consideration was likely given to the positive implication this pursuit would have on this 65 year old’s mindfulness and well-being in his older years.
