Passion has Evolved

[DAYDREAMER]

I used to love boating and getting away for the weekend when working 9-5's. Being retired, I now find boating wasteful and not a gratifying way spend money. Now, going for a bicycle ride in the quiet countryside has peaked the passion meter. When riding, you are actively engaged in the moment(sights, sounds smells), all while doing the body good.

Tuning up home base has also turned into gratifying passion. We truly love our homestead, calling it the mountain cabin. Every sunny day, we tell each other "The Resort is open" and go outside to work in the yard. Since retiring, we've traveled twice to Hawaii and California and honestly, was bored. Couldn't wait to get back to home base.

Retirement has allowed us to slow down and smell the roses. Who knew the simple things are so gratifying!

 

[JoeWras]

Golf just doesn't do it for me anymore. A complete collapse of passion.

 

[Jerry1]

Golf just doesn't do it for me anymore. A complete collapse of passion.

Ouch. I was hoping golf would be my go to for a long time. Thankfully I live in Michigan and because of winter, golf is only part of the year. Maybe that will help.

 

[Sunset]

I've noticed I've changed in my interests, actually planted grass seed in the vegetable garden this year as I notice that summer is a great time to take 30->60 trips and I cannot deal with the garden during that time.

 

[JoeWras]

I'm doing gardening in lieu of golf!

Maybe the pendulum will swing back some year.

 

[aja8888]

I'm doing gardening in lieu of golf!

Maybe the pendulum will swing back some year.

I went from an 11 to 18+ handicap over 20 years. Gave the clubs away last year and quit the private club membership. Stick with the gardening!

 

[Dean56]

Ouch. I was hoping golf would be my go to for a long time.

Same here, I used to play twice a week. These days I travel a good deal for work, I just don't have time for it. Was hoping to start playing again when I retired. We'll see

 

[frayne]

The first year of retirement (2005) I played golf nearly five days a week and it almost became like work. Driving to the course one day I realized that I needed something else. Currently only play twice a week and get much more enjoyment. I find working out at Planet Fitness at least the three other days unless I have activities planned is a great way to keep in shape and the aches and pains at bay. Travelled enough working for mega corp that it just doesn't appeal to me at all. Nothing better than waking up from your own bed well rested and ready to face the day.

 

[marko]

Y'know....I'm getting there too.

Sailed all my life. Dad sailed, granddad sailed, great-granddad sailed. DW and I used to leave the dock at 8AM, head out 20 miles, turn around get back around 6PM.

Now...even though we were on board almost every nice day, last year we never left the mooring. Instead we go out, putter, read, swim, cook something and nap. It's a big boat and requires a lot of physical work to sail and I just...don't...want...to...do...it....anymore.

Sorry Dad. DW and I talked just last week about selling and going to a power boat; something smaller and easier to run with.

 

[DAYDREAMER]

Y'know....I'm getting there too.

Sailed all my life. Dad sailed, granddad sailed, great-granddad sailed. DW and I used to leave the dock at 8AM, head out 20 miles, turn around get back around 6PM.

Now...even though we were on board almost every nice day, last year we never left the mooring. Instead we go out, putter, read, swim, cook something and nap. It's a big boat and requires a lot of physical work to sail and I just...don't...want...to...do...it....anymore.

Sorry Dad. DW and I talked just last week about selling and going to a power boat; something smaller and easier to run with.

Ya, never thought the boat would become a garage queen! She sits in our heated garage at minimal cost, ready at a moments notice. Just need the desire to spark up on a perfect calm sunny weekday. But so far, after 3 years of retirement, probably taken it out only 5 times. 2 of those times were just to blow the cob webs out of the engine.

 

[truenorth418]

When I was working at megacorp I escaped every summer weekend to go biking in the mountains. It was a great way to relax my mind and decompress.

After I retired I no longer wanted to be alone in the country. I guess I didn’t need that kind of escape anymore. My bike sat collecting dust for a couple of years until I finally sold it.

 

[ckelly78z]

I agree with bicycle riding for pleasure, and fitness. I live on a busy county road, near a busy State route that scares me a bit about riding. There are, however dedicated bike trails that meander through city parks, and wilderness countryside that interest me.

Last Summer, I bought a real quality 29" mountain bike with full suspension, 24 speeds, and dual disc brakes. I rode this bike around when camping, and maybe logged 100 miles total. This Winter, I bought a front hub 36v 500w Ebike conversion kit for my bike, and got a battery to go with it, all for about $450. This allows me to have 5 levels of pedal assist , and also have a twist throttle, for riding with, or without pedal assist, or for riding completely electric (no pedaling up to about 25mph). With my long term health issues of having no stamina, this allows me to take long rides without getting fatigued.

We have done the boating route, and won't go back.

 

[Chuckanut]

I believe most of continue to grow through life and find different interests along the way. I’ve added some interests (cooking), lost a few (wildlife photography)and some have gone up (slow travel, grandkids, biking) or down (photo gear, sailing, Hawaii) on my priority list.

 

[Souschef]

Same here: I retired from Civil Air Patrol after serving for 45 years. I also resigned from AARP tax preparation.
I donated my bike to a group that helps the needy
Right now I am at a crossroads about flying-I have a flight Friday with an instructor to see if my skills are still up to par.

 

[RunningBum]

I used to love boating and getting away for the weekend when working 9-5's. Being retired, I now find boating wasteful and not a gratifying way spend money. Now, going for a bicycle ride in the quiet countryside has peaked the passion meter. When riding, you are actively engaged in the moment(sights, sounds smells), all while doing the body good.

Tuning up home base has also turned into gratifying passion. We truly love our homestead, calling it the mountain cabin. Every sunny day, we tell each other "The Resort is open" and go outside to work in the yard. Since retiring, we've traveled twice to Hawaii and California and honestly, was bored. Couldn't wait to get back to home base.

Retirement has allowed us to slow down and smell the roses. Who knew the simple things are so gratifying!

That sounds very, very nice. You probably get some "Yeah, but what ELSE do you do all day?" comments, but it sounds to me like you've found your nirvana. Enjoy!

 

[Dtail]

Pretty much switched golf for Pickleball. Better workout, less time, more gratification and at least the same social. Plus much cheaper.
We also discovered we like being homebodies more than we thought. Still go to places, but thought originally it would be every week somewhere even if localized day trip.

 

[Badger]

Not so much losing passion for the number of things I liked to do but rather focusing on the one thing I can still do. Fortunately I can still ride my recumbent trike in my quiet neighborhood by the ocean with almost no traffic at 7:30am. So I put in about 12+ miles each morning with a buddy. Two wheels are out from balance issues which includes my motorcycles. Swimming is out due to shoulders. And walking/hiking is out due to mild paralysis of one leg from nerve damage. I even had to stop being a potter and will be selling my wheel. But every morning you can find me on my recumbent trike riding next to the ocean under a tree canopy before the sun gets too hot. If that was not an option I'm not sure what would be left.


Cheers!

 

[DAYDREAMER]

That sounds very, very nice. You probably get some "Yeah, but what ELSE do you do all day?" comments, but it sounds to me like you've found your nirvana. Enjoy!

LOL, yes regarding the comments. They say that, until visiting the humble abode, realizing the level of work required to get yard to nirvana level.

 

[timo2]

I used to do landscaping and gardening in my spare time while w*rking. But now I've retaken up golf after a 20 year lapse.

 

[street]

I gave up golf years ago when it became a stress. Lol I enjoyed golf but didn't want to compete with anyone else or myself. Now I do non competitive things and enjoy those activities much more. Like gardening, hiking, fishing and hunting etc..

 

[VanWinkle]

Golf just doesn't do it for me anymore. A complete collapse of passion.

I play 2 times a week with a great group of guys. I could live without the golf, but not without the friendship. I also enjoy gardening in solitude at home.

 

[simple girl]

This thread is inspiring in that it shows you can re-invent your dreams at any age, no matter what the ability or interest, or even disability. You may have a vision for what your retirement will be - but the best vision is to realize you have the freedom for it to become whatever you decide you want or need it to be. The only constant is change.

 

[Popeye]

Ouch. I was hoping golf would be my go to for a long time. Thankfully I live in Michigan and because of winter, golf is only part of the year. Maybe that will help.

That’s possible. I met a guy last week on the course. He told me he is 80 years old and comes out if only to play a few holes. In the back of his cart he had his golf bag secured on one side and a walker secured on the other. He told he he took that along for par three holes where you need to stay on the cart path. That way if he comes up short, he can amble over to the ball without fear of falling.

I do think it helps to have a good crew to play with though 8 like playing solo at times myself.

 

[ERD50]

After retiring, I realized that many of the activities I thought I'd want to do more of were just stress busters. And w/o the stress of work, they weren't all that appealing anymore.

But I found more than enough other things I love to do instead, and still do some of the things I did when working. It all works out, but it is different than I imagined.

-ERD50

 

[Focus]

After retiring, I realized that many of the activities I thought I'd want to do more of were just stress busters. And w/o the stress of work, they weren't all that appealing anymore.

Exactly my experience. I'm surprised at the extent to which my tastes have changed. Now nearly five years into retirement, I'm still in the process of dropping some of the previous interests that I've outgrown.