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Message: [QUOTE="JeffConn, post: 4862776, member: 11822"] I think you'll be on a good track by seeking to make connections within your community. I suspect everyone has a different path to achieving a happy retirement by pursuing what they have a passion for. During my working career, I changed jobs often and I had some jobs that I really loved doing, but there has not been one day during retirement that I've missed working. Some planning is important; as someone said, not just for the financial part of retirement, but what you'll be doing short-term and long-term. I've been retired for 5 years. During my first year transitional phase, I worked part-time and I enjoyed that immensely. I worked doing something completely different from my full-time work, but I did something that still took advantage of my skill set. It was nice to still have a schedule and some responsibilities, but no longer have to take the job home with you when you're done with your work day the way a career position can tax you and sap your entire being. Throughout retirement, I've done volunteer work and helped family and friends with activities that maintain my skillset. And I continually look for new volunteer activities that I might have a passion or calling for. Once the pandemic was upon us, for family reasons, I gave up the part-time job. With extra time, I focused on working out more regularly and getting my body in better shape for things I want to do. I've pretty much been able to maintain my workout regimen for 4 years now. Enjoying the outdoors, I am an active hiker. Like when I was working full-time, I do daily hikes with our dogs. And I schedule travel to our nation's national parks to satisfy my need for adventure and thirst to meet interesting people who enjoy what they're doing. There's a lot out there to experience and see. I particularly enjoy hiking in canyons, so I regularly schedule learning, hiking adventures in the southwestern U.S. On every trip, I discover new opportunities for exploration that lead to more follow-up travel options. Last year, when it got colder, I joined the local community center planning to use the treadmills in lieu of hiking in the cold. The staff recommended that I try pickleball. Playing pickleball is relatively easy to pick up and it helps satiate my competitive needs, but it can be an addictive sport. But most importantly, it is a very social sport. Playing regularly at scheduled times, I've made many new acquaintances and friends. Maintaining a competitive playing schedule helps me get out of the house early and regularly. And when I travel around town, I feel connected to the community often seeing playing friends at stores and restaurants. Through playing pickleball, I've recently learned about a senior softball league, so I'm now considering trying that. It's been more than 40 years since I've played in a softball league, but that may be another avenue to develop more friendships and satisfy my still active thirst for competitive activities. [/QUOTE]

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