Making a Hobby Out of Retirement

Retirement is something we all look forward to. Or do we? More and more, people are not retiring when they reach sixty-or even when they reach seventy. Some do it because of financial strain, some just don't want to sit home and "do nothing".

People are not only living longer, but they are remaining in better physical condition. Good food, vitamins and mineral supplements, regular exercise, and consistent health care all add up to a healthier old age.

Along with the physical health comes attitude. People no longer feel that their usefulness is over when they reach a set age. Women have a better understanding of menopause and its causes, relieving many of the emotional upsets that ignorance of potential mental and physical problems brought to earlier generations. Menopause no longer means the end of a useful life. It signifies the beginning of a new, unfettered life.

Men tend to dedicate their time and energy to their jobs. It is the equivalent of the hunt, back when we were just beginning our rise to homo sapien status. Providing food was the male way of loving and caring for his family. The weight of basic survival was on his shoulders. Nowadays, even with the female joining the work force, it's still the way man views his place in life. He works.

So retirement isn't always the answer for men or women. Too often, they have nothing to do with themselves.

Retirement takes more planning than just figuring out what one's financial and insurance benefits will amount to. It takes thought and advance practice. The overworked, and often under-appreciated word, "hobby" needs to be addressed. Hobbies aren't limited to collecting, sports, and crafts. Hobbies include anything that interests a person and is worked at for pleasure rather than just for necessities. A financial reward is always nice, of course...