Work out what you miss
Think of a workday you came home from feeling glad you’d gone in. What happened that day? If it was helping a younger colleague get the hang of something, mentoring might suit you. If what you miss is sharing a laugh with people you know well, a regular lunch or a local group might give you more of what you’re looking for.
Give yourself permission to be a beginner
I retired at 55. At 63 I’m learning to make films and tell stories online. What I enjoy most is hearing from someone who tried an idea I shared and found it useful. There was no way to know how much I’d enjoy that before I started.
Pick one thing you’re curious about and give it a place in your diary for the next fortnight. Join a local group, volunteer for a morning or try a project you’ve kept putting off. Afterwards, ask yourself which part you’d be glad to do again. That’s enough information to decide what to try next.
Make room for it in an ordinary week
When something feels worth doing again, give it a regular slot. Leave some time free, too. One of the pleasures of retirement is having a morning you can spend however you like.
Download Designing a Life After Work, my free retirement guide, or read about the sailing dream I came back to after work.