Why Not Get a Fun Job in Retirement?

As I approached retirement, I had entertained the idea that I might like to go out and get a "fun" job when I retired.  Since money would no longer be an issue, it didn't really matter if I had to start all over again at entry level.  It didn't really matter if it was in a field that just didn't pay very much money.  And it certainly didn't matter if I failed to advance up the corporate ladder at my new endeavor.  It would just be something fun, something I've always dreamed of doing.  Something that I couldn't have seriously considered before retiring, being that I was engaged in making as much money as I could so I could retire.  

I fantasized about working at a doggy day care, or a hip, trendy kennel.  I thought I could be a full-time lookey-loo by getting a real estate or appraiser's license.  I pictured myself pouring wine for out-of-towners at a nearby tasting room.

It also occurred to me to combine activities that I already enjoyed with the possibility of making money, like becoming a personal trainer, a retirement planner, an interior designer, or a travel agent.  I had even thought I might enjoy using my finance background, but in a completely different environment, like a non-profit, or even the Internal Revenue Service, just to get a glimpse inside.

So why did I not go down any of these paths?

There are so many options available to me now.  Spending time on hobbies that I couldn't squeeze into my workweek or exploring older interests from my childhood. Entertaining our friends more often since, while they are busy at work, we have time to cook them dinner.  Learning a new sport or taking up yoga.  Or ravishing that pile of books on the nightstand that lost out to sleep each night as I fell into bed exhausted from the grind.  Or taking that long-promised road trip to visit an out-of-town friend. Writing, taking classes, learning a language, playing an instrument, the list goes on and on.

Here's the thing.  The universe of interesting things for which no one will pay you is far greater than the universe of interesting things for which someone will.  Aside from the fact that I could not possibly exhaust the entire list of appealing, non-paying activities, the only reason I would actually choose to do something "fun" within the confines of an employer-employee relationship would be for the actual money.  And wasn't the whole reason I retired so that I could do what I wanted when I wanted, not what I wanted when my employer wanted?

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Comments

[Dreamer]

This is something that I've been thinking a lot about lately. As I (hopefully) approach my escape from the rat race I often think that once I've decompressed that I will get a part time fun job ala starbucks or as you say working with animals etc and yes like you I've even thought of working as an estate agent (how hard can it be, no desk and plenty of exericse and commission?).

DH often says to me that once we exit the rat race he doesnt care if he has to have a part time job to supplement our funds and he says he will do anything! But I dont really think that he has thought about that statement :)

Who knows, time will tell.

[LC]

Bulls eye again Syd. I did a little freelance feature writing for a local newspaper when I first retired. Well, not first thing but several months into retirement. Little cash but it was interesting to get back to my early days of interviewing. After half a dozen months, however, my interest waned. My efforts became more sporadic and finally stopped. My getting-ready-for-retirement list had so many things I wanted to do. That is where my interest lies. Working on the list is a full-time endeavor that is filling my life with satisfaction, new experiences and strengthened relationships.

[Lise]

The universe of interesting things for which no one will pay you is far greater than the universe of interesting things for which someone will.

This is awesome, and so timely for me. I think because of my upbringing, I have a tendency to look at almost all of my activities in a slant of "How can this make me money?" Like I was in the Salvation Army yesterday, shopping for wooden boxes that I could fix up to store perfume samples (I'm, uh, a bit of a perfume-ophile), and I started thinking, "Hey, I could fix these up and decorate them and sell them for a profit!"

But my life is so, so full. I don't need to devote more of it to making a profit than I already do.

[Dennis]

Another great post Syd! I keep getting former colleagues contacting me with various gigs in the technology field, and early on (I retired at 50 two years ago) I was tempted. But I haven't bit on anything, since I am enjoying each and every day, week and month so much, why do I want to put those work-based restrictions on my life again? I will never say never, but never for now ... ;-)

[Retired Syd]

How true, Dennis. One thing I have definitely learned in retirement is never say never. Isn't that really the best part? If you decide tomorrow you want to do something different than today, you're retired, so you get to do it!

[Steve Skinner]

Before retiring two years ago, I assumed that early into retirement the yearn to return to work would resurface. Since then, I have turned down the same temporary job offer twice. For the present time, I receive sufficient validation working as a volunteer at my four favorite organizations.

[Retired Syd]

Steve: Thanks for your comment. I am just starting to seriously investigate a volunteer commitment. Since you've already been retired for 2 years, I would love your advice on what sort of a time commitment worked for you as you balanced your retirement passions with a desire to contribute.

[dandan45]

Fun is the keyword for retirement. Even if one feels a need to go back to work for economic reasons, I feel it should be in an area you really enjoy, if fact, have a passion for. Volunteering, retirement hobbies or working from home can all be rewarding if you love it.

Live your passion.

[Steve Skinner]

I am likely the wrong guy to give suggestions on what constitutes balance with regards to time spent at volunteer activities. One of my goals for retirement was to become established in one volunteer activity, currently I volunteer at four different organizations. Last year my total volunteer hours averaged about eight hours per week. Volunteering has become so important to me because it allows me to be with people on a regular basis. I worked over thirty years as a forester and frequently worked alone so volunteering has helped me to “rebalance” my social skills in a manner of speaking!