Retirement Types—Which One Are You?

So, when retirement time finally rolled around, what was it that you were most looking forward to? Which of the seven type of retirees may you be?
Men: Fishing, watching sports, beach going, travel, handyman, workshop—
Ladies: Maybe you had some of the same in mind, as well as games with the ladies groups, housekeeping, crafts, art, etc. —

Not all retirees are built the same or have the same desires. Not all have or had the same goals, and many had multiple goals. (See article: A Philosophical Decision)

The one thing you do have in common is, you are beyond the “time-card” era of life! You waved goodbye to the daily grind, and in doing so, a fascinating transformation begins.

So, who are you becoming now that your time is yours? Diversity is great, but many of us have a favored activity, and these seven seem to be the most logical from this author’s perspective. ?

Let’s have a little fun and see which of these classic retiree species best describes you—or maybe someone you know.

Let’s begin with:

🏌️‍♂️ 1. The Golfer

This is the fella (or lady) who speaks fluent Titleist, yearns for the clubhouse, and craves the sound of that ‘ping’ off of the tee.

Now, although the author is not a golfer, he has had his share of those who stood in front of his desk practicing an air-swing with an imaginary 7-iron.

Those were the guys and girls who were up at (as Gracey Allen put it) “the crank of dawn,” ready for that 7:30 or 8:00 am tee time. Or does that change with age? Those are the folks whose backswing is smoother than a fifteen-year-old Glenlivet, and they know the course better than they know their grandkids’ names.

Retired perhaps—but always chasing perfection one hole at a time.

Then there is:

🎨 2. The Hobbyist

We’ve seen many over the years at the craft-shows and sales at our community clubhouse. Pottery, painting, or maybe stained glass cat portraits, macramé, and knitting everything from tea-cozies to nose warmers Whatever it is, it involves tools, clutter, and occasional finger injuries. They are often spotted sitting around the tables in the craft-room, glue, glitter, paper and cloth snipings everywhere. Their joy is in creation—and in filling the house with “just one more project.”

Have you seen some of the awesome LIGHTHOUSES? How about those little painted rocks that we find in so many obvious places. Someone built a seagull that hangs on string and flaps its wings when the wind blows. How awesome is that?

Next we find:

🚐 3. The RV Nomad

Oh yes, you’ve seen a few of those hotels-on-wheels that bus through the community! The glory of having one of those after retirement is that lovely loose schedule that comes with it, i.e., travel at leisure when the horizon calls. Those are the retirees who awaken to a new view every week, consider Wi-Fi “optional, and enjoy the American road-trip dream, one campground at a time.

For those who can make room for it—Good on ya! Please send us some pictures when you get “connected” again!

Then there are the altruistic:

🦸 4. AKA: The Volunteer

The irony of the VOLUNTEER is that they usually find themselves to be busier than when they worked fulltime at the job. They show up early, stay late, and smile through it all. You’ll find them at the food bank, the local shelter, local charitable events, or behind the scenes at your town’s 5K, making the world a little better now that they finally have the time to do so.

We even know a few who travel to disaster areas to assist wherever they can. These are the folks who find time to share time, give of themselves, and expect nothing in return. Giving credence to the biblical adage “There is more happiness in giving that there is in receiving.

Next we have:

🍿 5. The Netflix Scholar

Not everyone has a desire for the extraneous. “Break out the popcorn Mom! There’s a new series we need to watch.” These are the folks who become a walking encyclopedia of streaming content. They have their ‘Smart TV,” or “Firestick,” et al., and they’ve seen every episode, documentary, and drama, and some twice. Retirement is their reward for a lifetime of hard work, and they’re claiming it season after season.

Of course, they combine this pleasure with a few of those others mentioned above, and some yet to follow, but a life of leisure is manageable.

Now, when you talk about busy busy busy:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 6. The Family CEO

This is the retired Grandma and/or Grandpa that runs the household like a Fortune 500 company. Logistics, holidays, child care, home repairs, regardless, it’s all under their command. Retirement just means they’ve shifted focus from managing their own lives, to support wherever and however they can, the lives of everyone they love. (See 11-ways article)

This is a sublime generosity. What child doesn’t like to be spoiled a bit, and, as we all know, “just because they’ve grown up, doesn’t mean they don’t need our help.”

Now here is where leisure reigns:

😴 7. The Sleep-In Sage

Our lovely neighbor, whom sadly passed recently, was one of these. She loved to stay up into the morning hours. A regular night owl she was. One who then slept well past sunrise and woke to a very late breakfast or a very early dinner, whichever way you want to view it.

Finally free from alarms, she, like the other nighthawks, operate on divine time: bypassing mornings, desire thoughtful afternoons, spontaneous naps, and late-night television.

They don’t rush—they reflect. They understand that aging and retirement is a state of mind, and theirs is blissfully unhurried.

So… Which One Are You?

Maybe you’re one. Maybe you’re all. Or perhaps have an entirely different code to retire by. The beauty is: THE CHOICE IS YOURS TO MAKE!

Retirement isn’t a destination, it’s a lifestyle you get to chose with no time-clock, no schedule (other than your doctors appointments), and no promises to keep.

Of the 7 types of retirees and which one you might be, just remember: you’ve earned the right to enjoy it—whether on the green, on the road, at the club house, on the Lazy-Boy with the remote, at your volunteer station, or under a blanket.

If you aren’t doing what you love, then find what you love and DO IT.