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What Would You Do If You Had Nothing To Do?

nothing to do 300x213 What Would You Do If You Had Nothing To Do?I know a lot of people, who dream about retiring early and when they do, they find themselves absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of free time they have to deal with each day. As it turns out (even though it may be hard for you to believe) too much free time could be a serious problem to consider.

If you have been dreaming about a long, and I mean veeeery looong vacation, here is a good question to ask yourself – What would you do if you had nothing to do?

Let’s say that you retire tomorrow. You have a handsome amount of money in the bank, so you do not have to get up and go to work anymore. Your children are all grown up and have their own family to look after. You have no obligations or house chores: no cleaning, no cooking, and no mowing the lawn (unless it is something that you would like to do).

24 hours of care-free time are yours to plan according to your liking. You can do whatever you feel like doing or do nothing at all if you wish to – and this is not just for one day. Every day of your life will be like this.

Are you getting chills already? I am… The concept of having nothing to do scares the daylight out of me. I cannot even watch a movie at home, without doing something else at the same time (be it knitting, cooking, ironing the clothes… you get the point).

I was thinking maybe you could give me some of your ideas of what you would do if you had nothing to do?

How would you fill 24 hours of free time? What would your “retirement routine” be?

Share your ideas in the comment section below!

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  • Diane

    I really don't expect to retire and do nothing. I plan to retire 7 years from now and I'm starting a translation certificate as a transition to retirement, combining nursing and translation. I love writing, research and challenges. I believe that staying physically and intellectually active is the best gift I can give myself (keeping mind and body fit). Having nothing to do is certainly not in my plans for the future.

  • Countryporch02

    I view my retirement to do all those 'noble' things that I am unable to do because of time, money, commitment restraints. Volunteer in orphanages, work for our local humane shelter with animals, train a dog to help someone with disabilities, spread Jesus' love in 3rd world countries, rock babies in neo-natal nurseries who were born with drug-withdrawals, feed people in the US that are hungry, visit our elderly locked away in nursing homes and make them smile, workat a burn camp for children injured in fire-related accidents(my husband is a fireman), start a program for teens to assure them that they have worth and value….that is just a start to my list. And as 'greater than thou' it sounds…it is my honest desire and intent to accomplish each and every task listed above. For me retirement is not the final step before death, but the first step to the life I was called to live.

  • Renita

    I would do whatever I feel like! I will do volunteer work at different charities, shop, travel, etc. There will be plenty to do…:)

    Many Blessings To You,

    Renita

  • Naty

    I would write and record songs, spend time with my family and friends and go once a while on some beautiful vacations ;) and I would cook delicious lunches and also go on a roadtrip once in a while ….

  • Smilequeen9x

    You should find something which is suit for your age.

  • Rita

    I laze a bit in bed. My dog comes up to get & give some love. I arise to let him out and feed him. Then I feed the cat & birds, fix myself a cup of tea (after big long drink of water with morning aminos & herbs). I look out the window and say “Welcome” to the new day. I sit at my computer and check the weather for Anacortes. I check out e-mails & ride my desk a bit before getting ready for a nice hike in the forest with Shurif (my wonderful, handsome gentleman friend/dog). We get in the car and I look for the brightest part of the sky and head off for a nice, long hike. We come home and I eat some yogurt with seeds and berries and take my vitamins & herbs with organic juice. Then I clean my teeth and it's back to the computer to see what I can see of interest to me today.

  • Arina

    Hi Countryporch02,

    Your “retirement routine” sounds wonderful! I was just wondering whether you really should wait for retirement for live the life you were called to live. I know that you are already doing a lot of volunteer work, raising two beautiful children and running your own floral shop. Maybe for now this is your way to serve others?

    It made me realize that my days will change very little after I retire. I will keep writing, because it is something I simply love to do. I will meditate and do Yoga to keep my mind calm and my body fit. Maybe I will have more time for my volunteer projects and for travelling. And I will have to spend some time babysitting my future grandchildren. But rather than that, the rest of my routine will probably stay the same.

  • Arina

    Sounds pretty relaxing, Rita. :) I'm sure that Shurif will love this routine as well.

  • Arina

    Thank you, Diane, for your sharing! I'm glad that 7 years from now you don't plan to keep your life just as interesting as it is right now, constantly improving and challenging yourself.

    Your comment made me realize that my routine will not change much after I retire. I will continue writing, because this is what I love to do. And I will definitely continue to meditate and do Yoga, to keep my mind calm and my body healthy (as you said, it is one of the best gifts we can give ourselves). The only difference is that I will have more time for my volunteer work and for travelling.

    Now, when I think about it, retirement does not sound so bad at all! :)

  • Fantastic Frank

    its a great question.. One that a doctor had asked me about 31 years ago when I became “disabled” and lost my job… He had encouraged me to do volunteer work at http://www.compeer.org which I did and have never looked back.. a vacuum needs to be filled up with something..
    otherwise it will get filled up with other things..
    And now my life is s filled up with helping others. that I wonder how I used to do everything when I had to work .

    LOVE

    FF

  • Frmehrafza

    I play chess,and if not i think about myself and my fortune
    Farahnaz
    فرحناز

  • Diane

    Hi Arina,

    Just adding to my first comment, I see retirement as retiring from work, not from living. We all need a plan to keep ourselves reasonably busy otherwise, the rest of our lives might be very boring. Retirement is a gift you offer yourself and/or share with others and volunteer work is certainly a great idea. I will certainly travel more when my husband retire 5 years later than I do. While waiting, the sky is the limit!
    Your plan sounds good and interesting and I wish you the best.
    Have a super nice day
    Diane

  • Tallahassean

    Sit and knit/crochet and enjoy the scenery. I like to make things and most of the time I give them away or sell a few to cover the cost of my materials………

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