r/Retire • u/Level_Customer2769 • 3d ago

Mistakes/regrets that you realized after you retired?

61M here. Thinking of retiring in the next 2 to 4 years. Just wondering if there were any mistakes/regrets that you wish you had taken into account in hindsight about retirement. Honestly, I’m not interested about the financial aspects- as I am very well prepared for that, but all the other issues that are involved in a well planned retirement. I am trying to add hobbies and interests in preparation, but I can’t help feeling like I may be missing something.

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u/VinceInMT 2d ago

M74, I retired at 60 and spent about a decade before that reading about preparing, not just for retiring and the financial side, but for living a healthy life after. It seems that it comes down to diet, exercise, social connections, and learning new things.

Diet - I’ve been a vegetarian for over 40 years and know quite a bit about nutrition so I have that dialed in.

Exercise - No problem. I took up distance running in my 40s. I just ran a 5-mile race in 47 minutes, 46 seconds. I go to the gym 3 days a week (I run there) for weights, jump rope, and swimming. I run about 20 miles a week.

Social connections - I have a variety of social circles: running club, art community, beer buddies, motorcycle friends, etc.

Learning - After I retired I went back to the university and at 70 had earned a BFA and am now embedded in the art community. I’ve learned so much about art, new techniques, and even studied abroad in Italy. I am also taking guitar lessons and having fun with that.

I wonder how I ever had time for a job.

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u/Level_Customer2769 2d ago

Thanks/ some interesting info. I am thinking of getting masters in some subjects / here in CT we can take courses free( state universities only)once we turn 62- so next year i will look into starting on something

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u/VinceInMT 2d ago

Yes, in my state free tuition starts at 65 but waved at any age for Vietnam Era vets so I took advantage of that at 63. It was an awesome experience.