Retirement is Going to be Fun

Everyone knows the song “She works hard for the Money” by Donna Summer and so does he. Leading up to retirement is all about contributing to others. It’s about working to create a good life for you and your family. Most of us are very comfortable working, making money, taking care of others and delaying our fun for the future. All of this is wonderful, however it’s important to take a step back and see what we want to do in retirement, because the next phase of life is really about you! You have worked hard for your money and now it’s time for you to relax and enjoy.

As you begin to dust off the list of things you set aside to focus on working, you’ll find that you are a pretty fun, creative and friendly person who is ready to live and enjoy life. There are hundreds and hundreds of things to do right here in San Diego, but we thought we’d outline a few resources to help you practice your “inner fun” now so you can transition into retirement with ease:

Technology has its faults, but it also has its perks. One advantage to retiring in a high-tech world is Meetup.com, an app available to help you find people near you who have similar interests, as well as explore fun ideas that you may not have even thought about. Meetup has groups that hike together, play Ukulele together, speed date, learn languages and even paint as a group. They meet during the day, on the weekends, in the evenings and across the county. We recommend trying a few – you’ll be glad you did.

With over 20 locations throughout the County of San Diego, there is bound to be a YMCA campus near your home. In fact, to find one near you, visit www.ymcasd.org. The YMCA of San Diego County offers a variety of programs, services and initiatives that enable people to realize their full potential and empower us to live healthier lives. From exercise classes to cooking courses to virtual programs, the YMCA has some fun things to try as you move into retirement and beyond. Don’t hold back, check out their program guide today.

San Diego has several resources to those interested in learning new things. We have community colleges, universities and annex programs. We have online learning opportunities as well as in-person classes. One program that has a lot to offer is San Diego Continuing Education. In fact, they even have classes specifically designed for those who are 55+. Choose from classes focused on digital media, automotive, fashion, ceramics and more. San Diego Continuing Education began right here in our community in 1914, so this is a well-respected program that has been training and offering development to those who live in San Diego for over 100 years. We think it’s safe to say, they know what they are doing so give one of their classes a try.

Put your personal talents into action by volunteering in your local community. The County of San Diego has a wonderful program to help match your talents and interests with a complimentary volunteer opportunity. They have programs that allow volunteers to work with animals, help with the environment and even provide legal services to those in need. Visit their site today and explore the myriad of options, there’s lots to choose from and they all look fun.

We wish you the best as you move into retirement and look forward to bumping into you as you try new things throughout the county. Retirement is going to be fun, we promise.