Perhaps the single biggest difference between retirement and employment is the sudden increase in free time. Now, for the first time in your adult life (maybe even the first time, period!), you answer to no one’s schedule but your own. You can be as busy or as idle as you want to be. In fact, some retirees find they have entirely too much free time … more than they know what to do with.

Fortunately, this problem is easily solved. All you have to do is find a hobby.

Maybe you already have hobbies you want to pursue in retirement. If so, great! But many people work so hard that they never have time to enjoy a hobby. Some people don’t even know what hobbies they enjoy! Alternatively, some enjoy their jobs so much that they never feel the need for a hobby … until they retire.

This may seem obvious, but it’s surprisingly effective: If you take time to decide what hobbies you want to focus on now, and then start doing them as much as possible before you retire, the likelier you are to follow through with them in retirement. (You’ll also be more likely to enjoy them!) What follows is a sample list of hobbies that many of my clients have picked up in retirement. (Beyond the usual suspects like golf and travel.)

 1. Drawing/painting

2. Learning a new language

3. Novel writing

4. Photography / Restoring old photos

5. Gardening

6. Learn a new instrument — and as soon as you’re ready, go to a local jam session!

7. Stargazing

8. Learn a martial art — you’re never too old!

9. Do genealogy work

10. Antiquing

11. Enter chess/checkers/Go tournaments

12. Become a community activist

13. Woodworking/carpentry/pottery

14. Coach youth sports

15. Home-brewing/Wine making — research local laws first, though!

16. Beekeeping

17. Join a pet rescue group

18. Cycling

19. Keep chickens or goats

20. Join a local choir