4 things you'll finally have time for when you retire early

Retirement is a wonderful time to invest in activities and passions you didn’t have time to pursue while in the workforce. Plus, it’s important to have hobbies and goals set for your retirement. The transition from a 9-to-5 into having complete freedom and control over your time can be both overwhelming and exciting. Whether you’re planning for early retirement or turning 65, it’s never too early or too late to shake up your routine.

Consider adding one or more of these four hobbies when you leave the work world to make these the best years of your life:

1. Cooking or baking

It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t enjoy a home-cooked meal. With more time on your hands, you’ll be able to hone your skills in the kitchen and tackle new recipes and techniques you’ve always wanted to try. If you want to pair your skills in the kitchen with a fully homegrown lifestyle, consider investing in your own vegetable or herb garden. You can also compete in cooking contests, take classes, or even teach cooking lessons as a side hustle, if you’ve already built up your portfolio.

If you are close to retirement, consider a recipe bucket list. It’s the really fancy stuff you always wanted to make but never had the time or confidence to try. You probably won’t get these recipes correct on the first try, but you’ve got time to practice. I suggest taking photos of your meals as a great way to see your progression over time. Cooking can be a great way to express your creativity and embrace what it truly means to have free time.

2. Blogging

Are you passionate about sharing your knowledge or experiences with others? Consider starting a blog! You can offer cooking tips, career or parenting advice, lifestyle insight, fashion trends, photography or you can document your FIRE journey. The possibilities are endless.

A blog is a great way to keep you connected to your community and to your passions. Blogs are also great platforms to reflect on your life, wisdom and experiences. Finding new ways to tell your story can be empowering as you enter a new chapter of your life.

If you have great content, you might even be able to monetize your blog as a side hustle.

3. Arts and crafts

If you’ve always considered yourself an artist and just didn’t have the time to invest in your craft, now is the perfect time to get back to it. Whether you’re a painter, a musician, a jewelry-maker or a woodworker, there has never been a better time to be a craftsman.

If you’ve always wanted to create a side-hustle for yourself, perhaps now is your chance to open an Etsy shop or online art business. People are always shopping for handcrafted gifts and pieces online or at craft fairs. Jump into the creative community and establish yourself as a local maker.

4. Volunteering

There are endless opportunities to give back and fuel your soul through volunteering. Oftentimes, you’ll come to realize that you have just as much to gain from the experience.

Options for volunteering are endless. Whether you want to join in a community food drive or a one-on-one mentorship program, volunteering is rewarding in any capacity. If you’d like to invest your time in a meaningful way, look into reading to hospital patients, walking dogs at a humane society, offering career and life advice to people trying to get back on their feet, or serving lunch at a local school.

No matter where you are in life, retirement is a great time to get your goals together and look forward to all that lies ahead.

What new hobbies are you going to add to your routine once you’re retired?