“You Only Life Once, But If You Do It Right, Once is Enough.” -Mae West

Dear Suze Q.,  Retirement is not turning out to be fabulous.  I started hobbies a few years ago knowing that at 70, I’d have 40 extra free hours a week. I wake up without looking forward to the day, and I’m bored by lunchtime. What’s happening? 

Dear W. H., Boredom leads to bad things if it dominates your day. It steals your mind, zaps your physical energy, makes you dull as dirt so that no one wants to be around you, not even yourself. So buckle up, buttercup, and get an attitude adjustment.  All those years you worked to hit the lottery and here it is! An entire world is out there waiting for you.             Remember in your childhood when you explored all kinds of things to see if you liked them, from foods, to activities, to friends?  Start there. Ex: Monday, take an on-line virtual tour of a walk on the Great Wall of China or an art museum like the Louvre; Tuesday, write one page or story about your life; Wednesday, take a 30 minute walk or drive in an area you’ve never been; Thursday, if you’re a reader, find a new author.  Try a puzzle, stroll a plant nursery, search the internet for things to do when bored.  Without a purpose, something to look forward to, you will wither.  This is the third act of your life, go for the gusto. - SQ