What To Do Instead Of Retiring: 15 Creative and Fun Alternatives

Not everyone is looking forward to a full-time retirement. If that’s the case for you too, you might wonder: what can I do instead of retiring?

Well, I’m going to share some fun and creative alternatives. This time, we’ll do a fast round. Buckle up your seatbelts and let’s get started!

1. Retire Part-Time

Ease into retirement by phasing out gradually. Instead of a cold turkey stop, consider a part-time transition. This allows you to:

Smoothly adjust to more leisure time.
Explore retirement passions.
Maintain a sense of purpose during the transition.

If you’re worried about finding happiness in retirement, I can help you out with that with my book: Five Steps To Happiness In Retirement.

2. Go Back To School

Retiring from work doesn’t mean retiring your brain. Returning to school is a popular choice among seniors and retirees seeking to continue learning, relive college experiences, and expand their horizons. Consider the following:

Going to school will keep you busy and socially active.
Taking courses can be done from the comfort of your home now.
Learning new things can help maintain your cognitive health.

Embrace retirement as an opportunity to enrich your mind and explore new interests through continued education, whether in traditional classroom settings or through online platforms like Masterclass.

Yes! Go To Masterclass >>

3. Take A Sabbatical

Considering an alternative to retirement, you might explore the option of taking a sabbatical first before you ultimately say goodbye to work. It can give you the time to reflect, travel, pursue academic interests, or engage in personal activities. Sabbaticals offer a structured break to reassess priorities and make informed decisions about your future.

Here are some key points about sabbaticals:

Sabbaticals provide time for reflection and personal growth.
They offer a clear endpoint, reducing feelings of uncertainty.
Preparation and understanding of company policies are crucial before discussing a sabbatical with your employer.

Taking a sabbatical can offer valuable insights and rejuvenation, providing clarity and direction for your next career steps.

4. Turn Hobby Into A Career

If the previous suggestions aren’t for you, you can instead turn your hobby into a new career. Here are some considerations and possibilities:

Monetizing your hobby is an excellent backup plan when you completely retire.
If you don’t have a hobby yet, it’s the perfect time to find one that you can turn into a career.
You can turn your hobby into a fruitful career by mastering it completely through educational platforms like Masterclass.

Transforming your hobby into a career can provide fulfillment and financial rewards, offering a new avenue for personal and professional growth.

5. Start A Business

Retirement offers the freedom to become your own boss, whether by pursuing a hobby-based business or exploring new ventures. Here are some other reasons you should go this route:

Starting a business in retirement can provide independence and fulfillment.
Opportunities abound for those with the right skills, willingness to learn, and perseverance.
Various low-cost business ideas include becoming a landlord, operating a bed and breakfast, gardening, house flipping, or starting a blog.

Entrepreneurship in retirement can offer exciting possibilities and a renewed sense of purpose, leveraging your skills and passions for personal and financial gain.

Read: Which Business Is Best In Retirement

6. Become A Freelancer

Freelancing is another alternative to retirement. It’s a much more lax option compared to starting a business or being a cog in the wheel in some company. It also presents opportunities for continued engagement and income generation. Consider the following aspects:

Leveraging life experience as a consultant or advisor can be highly valuable.
Negotiating freelance agreements with previous employers allows for flexibility and potential income.
Various freelance options include digital assistance, writing, web design, tutoring, coaching, and more.

Freelancing in retirement offers the chance to remain active in the workforce while enjoying flexibility and autonomy. With a wealth of skills and experience, retirees can find fulfilling opportunities in the freelance market.

7. Get A Job

The trend of working beyond retirement age is on the rise, driven by financial needs, a desire for continued activity, and potential social benefits. Notably:

Working past retirement age may enhance Social Security benefits.
Many retirees seek work for financial stability to stay active or access additional benefits.
There’s a wealth of enjoyable retirement job options that promote mental, social, and physical well-being.

Work during retirement has a lot of numerous benefits beyond financial security, fostering fulfillment, and overall well-being.

Read: 50 Best Jobs For Retirees.

8. Do Volunteer Work

Volunteer work can infuse life with meaning and fulfillment, particularly in retirement. This reason alone makes retirees and seniors enjoy volunteering. Here are other reasons why:

Helping others brings instant happiness, a key motivator for retirees to volunteer.
Volunteer work complements the mental, social, and physical stimulation provided by employment.
You’ll never run out of things to do and think about, keeping you away from isolation and boredom.

Volunteering enriches life in retirement, fostering a sense of purpose and contributing positively to the community.

9. Work While Traveling

While retirement often conjures images of extensive travel, the reality may differ due to various constraints. However, a solution exists: combining work with travel. Not possible? It is. Just look at these:

Working while traveling can provide opportunities to explore without significant financial strain.
Positions such as those at ski resorts, cruise ships, or national parks offer a chance to see the world while earning an income.
Seasonal jobs allow flexibility, catering to those who desire part-time or temporary work while on the road.

Work-travel arrangements are a match made in heaven. It can offer fulfilling experiences and the chance to explore the world on a budget—and it’s a lot of fun.

10. Change Your Lifestyle

Rather than retiring to settle into a traditional homebound routine, consider shaking up your lifestyle with bold alternatives. This could mean:

Immigrating to a new country.
Relocating nearer to grandchildren.
Embracing RV living or even adopting a live-aboard lifestyle on a boat.

Before committing to major changes, it’s advisable to test the waters of your desired lifestyle. However, if you’re confident in your dream, why not seize the opportunity to pursue it? Exploring unconventional living arrangements can offer exciting new experiences and enrich your retirement journey.

11. Switch Careers

Transitioning from your current job doesn’t always entail full retirement; it could involve seeking change or escaping a toxic work environment. In these instances, a career switch is a viable option, and it needn’t be daunting. To do this, you must:

Explore retraining courses tailored to your desired industry.
Utilize available resources to facilitate a smoother transition.
Embrace the opportunity for growth and fulfillment in a new career path.

Making a career switch can offer fresh perspectives and improved work-life balance, allowing you to embark on a fulfilling journey in a new professional direction.

12. Work At Home

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the viability of remote work, prompting many individuals to embrace a hybrid model that combines office and home-based work. Here’s why:

Remote work offers improved work-life balance and eliminates time wasted on commuting.
Many individuals prefer a hybrid setup, spending one or two days at the office to reconnect with colleagues.
Exploring remote work opportunities can provide flexibility and cater to personal preferences.

Whether motivated by a distaste for commuting or a desire for increased home time, remote work presents a viable option for professionals seeking a better balance between work and personal life.

13. Take On A Project

Having meaningful pursuits in retirement can greatly enhance fulfillment. Consider undertaking a project to occupy your time and stimulate your mind. To do so, here’s how:

Find freelance projects for extra income.
Try home remodeling, writing memoirs, or starting a novel.
Pursue projects either post-retirement or during a professional break, enhancing your personal growth and enjoyment.

Whether aiming for financial gain or personal enrichment, taking on projects in retirement can add purpose and excitement to your life journey.

14. Become A Teacher

For those with a passion for a particular subject, transitioning into teaching can offer a fulfilling second career. However, take note of the following:

Your extensive experience in your field can enrich your teaching abilities at high schools, colleges, or universities, but it doesn’t guarantee a teaching position.
Requirements for becoming a teacher vary by state, with most colleges and universities requiring a master’s degree and high schools typically requiring a bachelor’s degree.
Some institutions may hire retirees with a bachelor’s degree, especially if they possess significant industry experience.

A teaching career can leverage your expertise to educate and inspire the next generation while providing personal fulfillment and professional growth.

Read: Can You Retire And Become A Teacher

15. Get Into Politics

Engaging in politics can be a fulfilling avenue for those seeking to make a difference in their lives, communities, or for future generations. Consider the following:

You can join a political party, assist with campaigns, or pursue roles such as lobbyist, consultant, pollster, or campaign manager.
You can focus on contributing to societal change and leveraging their insights.
You can use it to have a more meaningful alternative to traditional retirement.

Political engagement can provide avenues for personal growth, community impact, and the opportunity to effect positive change on a larger scale.

Conclusion

So, if the traditional picture of retirement doesn’t quite resonate with you, don’t worry! One of these alternative paths surely gave you an idea of what to do next in your life.

Anyway, since you’re already here, why not explore this site more? I have more articles you can read that you’ll surely find informative and enjoyable. Here are the recent ones I published:

Happy reading!