Retirees, what are you doing to keep your mind sharp?

[jamesnmlaw]

Khan Academy.

https://www.khanacademy.org/

[Rapewta]

I retired in 2008 at 58. Joined the senior softball league. That will keep you social and a little bit of exercise.
Classic car in the garage that will keep you tinkering with hand tools.
I have always been a chess player. Non rated but chess keeps my mind working overtime.
Today you can buy a big regular size computer board that identifies every move and I play against the AI at different play levels. Keeps me busy. Just find your passion for something and get into it.

You will enjoy more time with your children and grandchildren. You can't spend money when you are dead, so enjoy going on mini vacations now.

[stevej37]

[QUOTE=cantdrv55;11867685]Sudoku, crossword puzzles, play chess against a computer, discuss politics with your neighbor?

As far as puzzle games...the Jumble is my favorite...but it only involves a short amount of time.
I have in the past joined a couple Euchre playing sites. It's my fav card game.
When Yahoo games had a good card game site...the Euchre tables were very busy and addictive.

[wdfifteen]

When I take a break from working on one of our ongoing projects or another I do logic puzzles and sudoku but I have a lot of projects. I probably spend an hour a day on logic puzzles. Sometimes I get out my old calculus textbook and try some of the problems.

[Evans, Marv]

I'm in my eighteenth year of retirement. Unfortunately I have never enjoyed games, puzzles,. etc. from the time I was a kid - things where I have to sit around for a long time. I think the reason is what my wife describes me as: ADHD. I admit as a kid I was more than a handful and got slightly better into my adult years. Consequently I need physical activities to keep on a even keel. So working around our place provides quite a lot of that along with hiking and exploring around our county. The thing I do enjoy is reading about science and archeological topics, which I do if I have to stay inside during poor weather or for some other reason. I will admit I miss an environment of creativity and problem solving I had when I worked and feel as a result of not being challenged & introduced with creative opportunities, I've gone downhill in that respect.

[ted]

65 years old, I do things I enjoy, seniors Pickle ball is my new challenge.
Maintaining the house and 50 plumerias in the garden.
Keep busy hosting slot car races, a racing simulator, 2 race cars and a big garage full of race support inventory to keep organized.
Life is better at the track.

[stevej37]

I'm almost 70.
Every time I look at joining a senior group for something....I back out because they always look and act like they are 15 years older than I am.
I'm not ready for that yet....I must be in denial.

[IROC]

I'm not doing this to stay sharp (just for fun), but it helps...I'm learning German.

[IROC]

My mind must not be very sharp as I just noticed this was directed at retirees. I have a few years left before that happens…

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Every time I look at joining a senior group for something....I back out because they always look and act like they are 15 years older than I am.
I'm not ready for that yet....I must be in denial.

+1
Every now and then (like this evening) my wife volunteers me to help out at the Council on Aging's Thursday dance. Those people look so old. But they are up there dancing around to 60's country and pop music like a bunch of teenagers. I just want to back out the door saying "nooo, no, not me."

[oldE]

Yesterday I played a gig as a volunteer at the care home where the MIL now lives. They're into the 50s and 60s stuff. One guy requests an Eagles' tune each time. Beatles, Elvis, James Taylor, Stan Rogers, almost anything goes well.
I make a play list ( and sometimes stick to it) but do the lyrics from memory.

Best
Les

[Gretch]

Originally Posted by Baz

Short answer.......doing all the things I couldn't while I had my full time career.

And that is a LOT!

I am beginning to see the merit, joy and great peace in this approach.... And I am in much less of a hurry to get things done.........

"Who knew????!!!!"

[Superman]

All of yesterday and half of today was spent testifying as an expert witness. I am reading the Great Gatsby when time permits. Learning SCUBA diving. Practicing and rehearsing for a four-hour band performance on December 17. Other stuff. I have known for decades that I will NEVER run out of things to do.

I see that most of you are similarly situated. Unsurprisingly.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

+1
Every now and then (like this evening) my wife volunteers me to help out at the Council on Aging's Thursday dance. Those people look so old. But they are up there dancing around to 60's country and pop music like a bunch of teenagers. I just want to back out the door saying "nooo, no, not me."

No way in hell would I want to dance to the music of my high school daze .....

'Cause Disco still sucks

[Skytrooper]

I forgot to mention 70's muscle car restoration and competitive shooting...duh. I try to stay busy and engaged in some project.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Paul_Heery

I had no idea what The Moth was...... So, I put my name in the hat at an event in Brooklyn...I have been on stage a few times. The latest was this past Tuesday in Philadelphia....I have received an invitation and a guaranteed spot on stage for a Christmas-themed storyslam on this Saturday.....

Seriously, this is a great story. I couldn't get up in front of a microphone in a room full of people if there was a gun to my head. (Besides, I'm boring and no one wants me to tell my stories anyway.)

[rwest]

I’m getting close to retirement at 55 and will take a big hit on my pensions for going early, but I don’t care as I want to still be healthy and able to be active on my bicycle and cross country skis.

Since money will be tight, I won’t be able to travel the world or buy lots of stuff. I have stocked up on plastic car model kits and jigsaw puzzles to do in the cold months in MN when I’m not tinkering on my car, doing home improvements or working in my woodshop.

I think all of my activities should help keep my mind working at near peak ( my peak!)

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Gretch

I am beginning to see the merit, joy and great peace in this approach.... And I am in much less of a hurry to get things done.........

"Who knew????!!!!"

That is the truth. Somedays are spectacularly unproductive.

[Evans, Marv]

I've said this before, but I guess I'll say it again - especially for those who are looking forward to concentrating on activities you've long wanted to. It's this: take into consideration that your preferemces. likes, inclinations, interests, etc. probably will change, evolve, modify, or turn out significantly differently than you think on a long term basis. Just like when you were younger, make room in you lives for change and look forward to it.

[Paul_Heery]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

I've said this before, but I guess I'll say it again - especially for those who are looking forward to concentrating on activities you've long wanted to. It's this: take into consideration that your preferemces. likes, inclinations, interests, etc. probably will change, evolve, modify, or turn out significantly differently than you think on a long term basis. Just like when you were younger, make room in you lives for change and look forward to it.

Marv nails it here. This is so true.

Bruce Feller wrote a best selling book on this topic. Life is in the Transitions

My retirement was spurred by another considerable event in my life. It provided me with the opportunity to step back and examine what I wanted to do with the next chapter in my life. Do I know what that is? Absolutely not. But, I've decided that this a good time to try new things. So far I've met a lot of interesting new people and I'm having fun.