5 FUN SKILLS TO LEARN IN RETIREMENT

Retirement, although often thought of as an end, is in fact the perfect time to begin something new. Learning a new skill can keep us mentally and physically active while creating joy in pursuing our passions.  Here are five popular skills often taken up later in life.

Playing an instrument 

When I was in the fourth grade I decided to learn a musical instrument.  After what I am sure was much long and deliberate consideration, I decided on the violin.  I have no idea what may have led me to choose this particular instrument, but my interest waned after the first year and I returned my rented fiddle and moved on to more interesting pursuits. Now, I wish I had learned the piano, which I have been recently considering.  Although most professional musicians start at a younger age, it’s never too late to learn an instrument. There are many benefits of learning an instrument later in life including enhancing memory and reducing stress. Even if you do not participate in group lessons, music studios often throw parties and recitals where students can meet and mingle connecting you to others with the same musical interests.  Piano and Ukulele (easier to learn than guitar due to the smaller size and fewer chords) are great choices.  Older adults may also benefit from instruments such as the harmonica or flute which exercise lung capacity. So if you want to reap these rewards or just always wanted to rock out, now may be the time.

Golf

To truly appreciate the task of the game of golf you must first listen to its invention (watch here) as depicted by the great Robin Williams.  In its hilarity, it underscores the concept of putting a ball under 2 inches in diameter into a hole only a couple of inches wider and hundreds of yards away.  For those of us who repeatedly attempt this ridiculous feat and love it, we cannot wait to get to retirement so we can play more often.  But what about taking the game up after you have retired?  As long as you stay reasonably fit and can swing a club you can learn the game of golf at any age.  What better time than when you have the extra time to learn, practice, and play? The only real prerequisites here are perseverance and the ability to laugh at yourself. Golf is a fun way to stay active while enjoying the outdoors.  It can also be a great way to meet people and socialize with most courses offering women’s clinics, leagues, and tournaments for all skill levels.  Retirement and golf seem to go hand in hand and a slow, easy start post-retirement could be the best way of all to get into the game.

Creative Writing

Did you know that J. R. R. Tolkien’s first novel, The Hobbit, was published when he was 45 years old? Or that Laura Ingalls Wilder was 65 when she authored the first book of her Little House on the Prairie series?  More recently we saw Delia Owens, author of the hugely successful Where the Crawdad Sing debut her first work of fiction at 69.  These late bloomers prove that successful writing can be achieved at any time in life.  If you have always had a desire to write now is the time to get the creative juices flowing and enroll in some writing classes.   If attempting a novel right away seems too daunting you may want to first develop your voice through another creative outlet.  Short stories, poetry, and blogging are great options. Freelance content writers are also in demand if you are looking to get paid regularly.  You can find instruction for all aspects of writing online, in books, or college classes. 

Learn a New Language

Excusez-moi, parlez-vous français?  I wish!  French is the language I have always wanted to learn.  Unfortunately, I have not learned it in time for my upcoming trip to France. I will have to settle for learning a few words and phrases to get me by.  Speaking the local language while traveling is beneficial but It is just one of the many advantages of learning a second language.  One of the most important for seniors is staving off mental aging. Anything that stretches cognitive thinking, including memorization, is exercise for the brain and studies have shown that learning a language in middle age and beyond can help fend off dementia.  Learning a foreign language will also deepen your connection to other cultures.  If you want to invest the time you can take it to the next level and become an interpreter. 

Dance

As a child, I remember snickering with the other neighborhood kids as we watched a couple emerge from their house each Saturday night. She wore her big hoop dress. He wore his plaid shirt and bolo tie. They were heading out to square dance. And while we all thought they looked pretty silly, when I later learned to square dance in grade school gym class, I had a blast with it.

The thought of dancing later in life may seem intimidating at first, especially if you have never done it before. But, you should give it a try if you can. It’s one of the most enjoyable ways to stay in shape, providing cardiovascular improvement and maintaining mobility while keeping joints healthy.  You can find recorded or streamed dance class videos on YouTube which may help ease into it and build confidence. But I strongly recommend taking a live class at some point to take advantage of the social benefits it offers. Dancing is often a group activity and creates opportunities to meet and interact with others.  Whatever your style and energy level you should be able to find classes near you.  If you are a country music lover, line dancing and two-step can be a fun way to go with numerous local venues for hitting the dance floor outside of the classroom. Ballroom dancing such as Waltz, Foxtrot, or Tango is also a good choice, or perhaps add some rhythm and try a swing dance. When you are ready to really kick it up a notch, you must learn to Salsa!