Retirement Hobbies Checklist

Checklist · Passion

Retirement hobbies checklist

The hobbies worth having are the ones you’ll keep doing. This checklist helps you notice what already lights you up, pick a hobby family to try, and give it a fair go before you decide.

It goes with our guide, Retirement hobbies finder: what lights you up?, which has the full tick-through finder and totals.

Simon Pederson, M.Fin, B.Bus (FP), Founder and Lead Retirement Planner, over 15 years helping people plan for retirement

Man sketching hills in a sketchbook at a timber table on a verandah

What lights you up?

1. Finish the sentence. “I’ve always wanted to learn how to…” Write the first thing that comes to mind.
2. Look back. What did you love at fifteen that you’d be quietly embarrassed to try again?
3. Picture a full Saturday. What would make a Saturday feel full to you?
4. Run the finder. Tick through the statements in our hobbies finder and note your two highest families.

Which hobby families sound like you?

Tick any that feel true. A tie is fine. Two families together can make a great hobby.

1. Make. You like using your hands and ending up with something real: woodwork, repairs, sewing. A first step: finish one small project that’s been sitting in the shed.
2. Grow. You like slow progress and fresh air: a vegie patch, native gardening, a balcony herb garden. A first step: plant one pot of something you’d actually eat.
3. Learn. You like understanding how things work: a language, local history, a short course. A first step: borrow one book on the thing you wrote on your card.
4. Explore. You like being out and seeing somewhere new: coastal and hinterland walks, birdwatching, day trips. A first step: walk one stretch you’ve never walked, and write down three things you noticed.
5. Create. You like making something that’s yours: painting, writing, music, photography. A first step: spend one hour making something, with no plan to show anyone.
6. Share. You like being useful, and you like people: volunteering, mentoring, tutoring. A first step: write down the skill from work you’d most like to keep using. Our volunteer ready checklist can help you match a role.

Where could you start on the Coast?

Check each organisation’s own page for current details.

1. Men’s Sheds. Caloundra Men’s Shed and Buderim Men’s Shed both list woodwork among their activities.
2. Sunshine Coast Libraries. Sunshine Coast Libraries lists a Seed Library on its site, and Library+ Caloundra describes creative spaces for hands-on programs.
3. U3A Sunshine Coast. U3A Sunshine Coast runs courses led by volunteer tutors, and invites people with a skill to share to become a tutor.
4. Council’s Older people page. The Older people page lists more local activities, including the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme.

Have you given it four goes?

The first visit can feel a bit awkward. By the fourth, you can usually tell whether you like it, or just liked the idea of it.

1. First visit. New faces and a new routine. Notice how it felt.
2. Second visit. You know the way in and where the kettle is.
3. Third visit. You might know a name or two.
4. Fourth visit. Decide. If it’s not for you, let it go without guilt and try the next family on your list.

A few practical notes

1. Start simple before buying gear. Some hobbies cost very little, like walking, gardening from seed or borrowing from the library. Others add up.
2. Couples don’t need the same hobby. One shared thing is lovely. A thing each works too.

Common questions about retirement hobbies

How do I find a hobby if I’ve never really had one?

Finish the sentence “I’ve always wanted to learn how to…”, then tick through the finder in our hobbies guide. Pick the family with your highest total and try one small thing from it four times before you decide.

Where can I find hobby groups on the Sunshine Coast?

Sunshine Coast Libraries, U3A Sunshine Coast and the local Men’s Sheds are good places to start, along with the Sunshine Coast Council’s Older people page. Local noticeboards, community centres and word of mouth are worth a look too.

What if I try a hobby and don’t enjoy it?

That’s useful to know, not a failure. Give it four tries, then let it go and try the next family on your list.

Thinking about what your days will look like?

The lifestyle side of retirement is as much a part of planning as the numbers, and it’s often where the conversation starts. If you’d like to talk it through, you’re welcome to book a relaxed 30-minute Fit Check with Simon by phone or video. See all our retirement checklists.

Book a 30-minute Fit Check

Or call Simon on (07) 5327 3495

Sources

No representation is given, warranty made, or responsibility taken about the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of information sourced from third parties. Because of this, we recommend you consider, with or without the assistance of a financial adviser, whether the information is appropriate having regard to your particular circumstances.