Okay, so I just wanted to touch on a question or comment that people seem to repeat here quite regularly, and that is around the idea of being bored or not knowing what to do when they retire. We do know that, when you retire to nothing, the anecdotal experience here is that many people end up going back to work or effectively going back to work in a different capacity. This is kind of like cheating in a way, in that they will do angel investing or some other board work that is effectively replacing part of their old job but often at lower pay. They might have been better actually staying in their old job, but just cutting back their hours or moving to a different company or business where that was possible.
Based on a question someone asked in a different sub, I wrote out a list and started thinking about the types of hobbies that I've developed over the last couple of years. The one thing that I did note, and I guess the point of this for me, is that hobbies can be developed. You can say, "I want to get into a certain hobby," and what you really need to do is do it enough until it becomes part of your personality. For example, I didn't really like golf, but I liked the idea of golf. I liked the social aspect, the being outside, the exercise, and being part of a community, as well as having something to do on the weekend and being able to practise and get into the technicalities of it. While I really didn't like golf, I am starting to enjoy it now because I forced myself to get a bunch of lessons, to go to the range and practise a lot. After about three or four months, you start to identify yourself as a golfer and want to go more and more.
I think it's a point of note that you can think of hobbies as things that you plan out and develop yourself. They don't just fall in your lap magically, unless, for instance, you've got friends or you've got family and you are bought up around those hobbies. You can choose them later in life if you want to. You just have to put the hard effort in to get to a certain level of skill so that you're comfortable in that particular hobby and it becomes a part of your personality.
Anyway, please feel free to criticise the below, and I would really love any advice or guidance, because while some of these hobbies I would consider myself an expert in, other ones I've only started very recently. In fact, I'm very much suffering from the one-more-year-ism problem. Now that I've got so many hobbies, I'm at the point where I'm really starting to think that I'm ready to exit as soon as possible.
For those that are continuing to stay in the game when they know mathematically they shouldn't, a really good mental process that will help save your sanity is to start getting into and practising as many hobbies or pastimes as you can. Thank you.
Watches (Omega, Rolex, etc.) buy one every 6-12 months often to mark a celebration, holiday or just because. I watch reviews and such. Wife is into it too and it's a nice little community.
Lego - kids got me into this, but we pass rainy days putting together Lego or Reo bricks while kids play and help. It's kind of meditative for my over-thinking brain. Doing a 4000 piece set now.
Weight - you have to lift. The benefits are amazing and it takes 30 minutes every second day. I walk a lot, and run a bit. Occasional Pilates. Light hiking.
Kids. Time suck, but we love them.
Personal finance and investing. I keep across tax, employment law, business and investing, follow certain companies, read about ETFs and brokers, love getting into my annual personal budget excel doc for a few hours, follow these subs, watch certain YouTubers. Includes collecting points but I don't really care that much about points anymore.
Restaurants - not a foodie, but we do frequent restaurants here and overseas. It's makes travel more fun. Certain foods I am a connoisseur.
Travel and organising trips. Mostly it's watching review and videos. Itineraries and the excitement of the leadup. We did Japan, Amsterdam, London and a few other last year. Less with kids now at the annoying age (2 and 6) but they have their travel legs for sure.
Golf. Mainly on the range, I like getting lessons and the technicalities of it etc. I don't play often. When I fully retire I want to be comfortable at golf to join in socially. Good bonding with family members and trying to get kids into it.
Custom high end home design and styling. I'm building a custom home on the water front at the moment. It takes up huge amounts of time as I research everything like crazy, but good fun and keeps my brain active. I imagine doing more of these.
Gardening and home maintenance - I do enjoy these, in small doses.
Boating - good for social life (local boat club), good for kids to get outside. We go for rides on Sunday just for fun, for instance.
What I'm thinking about doing esp when fully retire in could years:
Martial arts esp BJJ. I have a black belt in Karate so it's a natural fit, but I mainly want to do something with my brother and kids. I don't care about BJJ per se, but everyone seems to love it. Good fitness.
Skiing - never done it, never seen snow. But any excuse to spend a couple weeks overseas (Japan, Europe) seems like a no brainer. I like any hobby with exercise. I want to be into this one and have an annual family trip.
Cooking - I am good cook, and have a full time home assistant who cooks, but I'd love to learn Japanese cooking in particular as there are no fat people in Japan and food is delicious. I don't see why the Mediterranean diet is considers the healthiest - some Asian countries are far healthier.
Small business - if I sell my current business in couple years, which is quite large, I might get something small like like boutique for wife. I have a business degree and 25 years experience running businesses, including start ups, so I can run a business with my eyes closed, especially one with a few staff (current one has 30-40 professional staff plus contractors).
History - I already do this but not as much as I would like. I wouldn't mind reading a book a month for instance, where currently it's a book a year. It's just time. I love docos but I'd love to select a niche topic and be the expert on that topic, maybe even publish a paper (I have a PhD in another field).
Charity - we plan on donating 250-500k per year. I am undecided how to do this exactly, like if direct to one or more and which ones etc. and if I ask for participation like a board seat (buy going from private to NFP I am told the board would drive me nuts). Anyway something for kids to also get involved in later.