Social transitions occur at several points in our lives. Leaving for college or military service, entering the workforce, changing careers, and geographic relocations can require the creation of new social networks. Retirement often entails another social transition, bringing challenges and opportunities. Read on for tips and specific examples of how those entering the post-work phase of life can put themselves back out there.
The challenge of creating new social relationships can feel daunting, since being in the workforce has built-in social opportunities to interact with coworkers, clients, and others. For those who relied on their work lives as major sources of identity and social status, the questions of, "Who am I now?" and "Where do I fit?" can be disorienting. Work also provides a clear structure to the day, and now activities and social experiences may involve effort, planning, and scheduling. Finally, social relationships may have already thinned out due to divorce, disability, death, or the relocation of family members and friends.
Leaving the workforce brings more time to spend with family and friends. You also have a "second chance" to explore interests that laid dormant during your work life, or deepen your commitment to community, political convictions, or spiritual values. Social experiences in retirement tend to be voluntary and chosen, minimizing interactions you find unpleasant and maximizing those you enjoy. Remaining socially engaged after retirement has important benefits, such as reducing the risk of depression and dementia, and improving physical health through regular exercise and a range of activities.
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Take some time to review ways you have enjoyed spending leisure time from childhood through the present. Some may still be relevant and sources of social connection. There are groups for hobbyists of many kinds who meet to share their love of stamps, antique cars, shells, and so forth. You might also consider what aspects of work life you relished and explore ways to connect with others through those arenas. For example, if you have a background in business, there are opportunities to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through organizations such as Score.
Continue to gather ideas for social opportunities by reading local newspapers and bulletins, exploring online, and asking family, friends, and neighbors about their social activities. There are thousands of Meetup groups online that offer social experiences organized around many subjects, including some by age group. Finally, think along a variety of dimensions, including intellectual, physical, creative, and values-based, that reflect different aspects of your identity and interests.
By exploring multiple pathways, you expand your range of choices for connections and offer yourself an array of options. These include experiences that build on your existing skills as well as those that involve learning new subjects. The next six slides offer specific examples of social experiences that can help feed your mind and recommendations to consider.
Community and senior centers offer adult education classes. Local community colleges have inexpensive courses for adults, and public universities such as UCLA offer seniors the opportunity to audit regular classes for minimal tuition. Even a computer class on Excel often involves a group component.
Taking an Italian class can enhance your travel experience on your trip to see Rome, while also providing important brain benefits.
Book groups provide an opportunity to share views on the reading experience. Many book groups are organized by subject areas of interest. Listings of free book groups are found in libraries and bookstores.
Community institutions such as museums and libraries often sponsor public talks that bring in expert speakers on a variety of topics. These talks are often free or low cost.
Organizations such as Toastmasters provide a supportive environment in which to build social and communication skills.
Zoos, museums, and other institutions are in frequent need of docents to provide guided talks to the public on exhibitions. Training is provided, and there are opportunities to socialize with the staff, other trainees, and the public.
There are also plenty of opportunities to engage through exercise and physical activity. Socializing occurs naturally in the course of dancing, walking, or gardening with others. Retirees who are in good shape or have an adventurous spirit might even consider activities outside their comfort zone to make social connections. Click through the next few slides for some other ideas.
Badminton, pingpong, shuffleboard, and croquet are sports that are offered in community centers and YMCAs that often provide the necessary equipment. Many gyms also have no- or low-fee options for seniors who want to swim or take daytime exercise classes.
The intricacies of dancing can challenge you intellectually, while the movements themselves provide physical and social benefits. Those who are single can still participate in the classes through a rotating format with different partners.
Your local county, state, or national park often has organized hikes or walks that are free or low cost. Some of these are focused on specific age-groups, while others may explore topics such as foraging in the wild, bird-watching, or night hikes. Explore the listings through organizations such as the Sierra Club, Meetup, or your local park website.
Community gardens provide opportunities even for those without yards to grow vegetables and flowers. Participants in community gardens share produce and tips with other gardeners and meet to discuss communal concerns. Local nurseries and utilities such as the water company may also offer classes on composting and conserving water.
Participate in your local Habitat for Humanity events for low-income recipients, and the Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops also need volunteers to help with home-raising experiences for wounded war veterans. In addition to learning valuable skills in painting, carpentry, and tile-setting, the social benefits include the opportunity to collaborate and share in the sense of communal purpose.
Local animal shelters are often seeking volunteers to walk dogs, while users of online services such as Wag! will even pay you to walk Fido. The social benefits for animal shelter volunteers include participating in meetings and activities and interacting with fellow volunteers. If your dog is approachable and friendly, you are also likely to find yourself in many a casual chat with bystanders about your furry companion.
Related: Must Love Dogs: 14 Unexpected Jobs for Animal Lovers
Socialize with others while learning to draw, enjoying a good meal, exploring different wines, or attending a concert or performance. These experiences expand your sensory horizon and provide the chance to share your discoveries with others. Read on for examples.
These classes are offered at retail stores such as Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table, as well as through adult-learning listings at community centers. The classes often focus on a type of cuisine, and participants can enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Many Meetups focus on exploring the flavors of various ethnic foods through trips to local cafes and restaurants. Other dining clubs cater to singles who want to dine in groups with potential dating partners.
Increase your knowledge of wines from around the world and enjoy exploring them in group classes and tastings offered at local stores, restaurants, and Meetups.
If you play a musical instrument, consider joining others in making music together. Music stores often have billboards for those seeking band members, or you can explore online sites for musicians.
Your local church or community center may be looking for singers to add to the choir or to sing at community events. Along with the social opportunities to interact with others, singing has the additional benefit of brightening your mood by raising endorphin levels.
Try an improv class. Participants learn to play off each others' cues to create skits using words and body gestures to convey humorous moments. Improv theater offers social benefits, cognitive challenge, and, like singing, the opportunity to raise endorphin levels through laughter.
Become an usher. It involves directing audience members to their seats and passing out programs. Ushers interact with theater staff and fellow ushers before and after performances. During performances, ushers watch the show for free while ensuring performances are not disrupted. Some theaters even pay their regular ushers.
Community centers and local colleges provide low-cost classes in ceramics, watercolor, drawing, painting, and more. Develop ways to perceive your environment while sharing your work with others.
Consider a photography class instead. Camera stores often list inexpensive classes in photography, including group excursions for budding photographers.
If you sew, knit, quilt, or scrapbook, local retailers frequently provide opportunities to participate in group experiences and share tips with others. Even if you are a newbie, these opportunities can be important sources of encouragement and support.
Related: 35 Hobbies That Pay Off in Jobs
There is a natural affinity when you interact with other people who share your commitment to a community, the environment, political or social causes, or your faith. These opportunities offer a shared sense of purpose as well as a social outlet. Read on for a few ideas in this arena.
Food banks, soup kitchens, animal shelters, hospitals, senior centers, and schools all rely on volunteers to help provide services. Gather information on opportunities near you through community newsletters, local billboards, and churches.
When you participate on a civil grand jury, you make yourself available over the course of a year to rule on complex legal cases. In turn, you are paid for your service and provided with free parking. Being a juror means you have a built-in community of peers for extended periods.
Cities, small business associations, and legal bars have ongoing needs for participants with experience in accounting, law, business, public policy, or medicine. Check with your local city hall. Commissions and local boards may also appreciate your expertise and advice.
Increasingly, visitors to new locales seek interactions with locals who know the area well. There are opportunities to provide traveling advice, host a meal, or lead a guided walk. Check with a local visitor's bureau or explore options such as Eatwith, Traveling Spoon, Tours By Locals, and Withlocals.
Reach out to your local civic, county, or state representatives and learn about opportunities to participate in the political process. These can include hosting small events, lobbying at to government offices, or making phone calls.
Related: 40 Celebrities Who Gave to Political Causes and Candidates
Your temple, church, or mosque is a source of connection, belonging, and shared faith. Explore ways to express your beliefs through communal actions, and attend workshops and classes that study the historical and present teachings of your faith.
Life after retirement can mean some period of experimentation while you find a new rhythm to your days. Expecting a certain amount of trial and error will insulate you from disappointment when things are harder or less satisfying than you imagined. Continue to gather new ideas and possibilities for participation and connection as you learn more and more about what delights you.
Carol Povenmire, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with a practice in Pasadena, California.
