Leisurely, not lazy activities

What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time?

Leisure is an important topic for me to consider as I approach retirement. I don’t want to spend too much time sitting around doing nothing.

I have to admit that I already spend too much time watching television, often while also reading or playing games.

TV watching is the number one leisure activity in the US, but watching too much of it is not healthy. I found an article that lists 30 activities you can do instead of watching TV. I won’t list them all, just the ones that appeal to me.

• Birdwatching
• Cooking and baking
• Crafting or art projects
• Gardening
• Hiking or walking
• Journaling or blogging
• Volunteering
• Putting puzzles together
• Reading a book
• Meditation

Crafting/art projects: When I have the opportunity to do art projects with other people, I have fun. I crocheted years ago. There is a knitting/crocheting group at my church that I could join. I do not think of myself as artistic, but I think I would enjoy painting.

Birdwatching: Instead of just watching from my window, I may take my binoculars and combine it with hiking or walking. I will also continue to take pictures of wildflowers.

Cooking and baking: I did almost all the cooking for the first 25 years or so of our marriage. It became just another chore. My husband started cooking and baking when he retired, and he enjoys it! He has also made it clear that he appreciates my help. I’ve been doing some baking for church funerals and cooking for monthly potlucks.

Reading: These days, I mostly read articles online. I read the Bible every day. I want to visit my local library and get back in the habit of reading just for fun.

Gardening: I like to plant flowers and don’t even mind weeding. We don’t have much of a growing season here, but it might be fun to grow some vegetables and herbs.

Volunteering: Today, I find volunteer opportunities at church and with my running club. After I retire, I would like to volunteer with my husband at a to-be-determined charity.

Puzzles: I have always liked jigsaw puzzles. My husband and I have talked about doing this activity together. We just have to keep the cats from helping!

Blogging: I would like to be a more consistent blogger, as I have been this month with the help of daily prompts. When I go weeks without writing, I am wasting an opportunity to express myself and share my thoughts with others.

Meditation: My interest in meditation is as a practice of spending quiet time with God. This month, our pastors introduced us to the practices of Lectio Divina and the Daily Office. Both disciplines involve prayer and quiet time.

When I first read this prompt, I thought it was just another question about hobbies. But it has helped me envision how I can spend my time meaningfully when I retire. Rest and relaxation are important for the body, mind, and spirit.

Lord, when I began my career, it seemed like I would be working forever! Yet the years have flown by. Thank you for letting me know it was time to retire. There are so many things I can do with my time. I pray that you will lead me to the right volunteer opportunity. I also pray for the spiritual discipline to spend more of my time resting in your presence. Amen.