The absence of a structure and a predictable set of routines sounds like heaven, but the majority of retirees that we've interviewed have told us that the white space of a calendar and its emptiness gets old fast. The Covid-19 pandemic has erased a lot a important calendar dates and postponed personal plans abruptly and tragically altered many lives. It has highlighted the effects of an empty calendar for all of us not just retirees. After a few months of a "retirement vacation" most retirees want to see their calendars start to fill with new activities. It's a time for finally getting to do the things you always wanted to do and setting your own priorities when you will do them and how frequently. Creating a personal calendar that includes travel, visiting friends, going fishing, finally visiting a museum on a weekday, going back to school, pursuing a hobby or interest in greater depth can fill the calendar quickly.
One of the keys to a successful calendar is understanding your Drivers (You can take the Drivers Test in Don't Retire, REWIRE! to determine what your's are). Ask yourself what activities give you Driver fulfillment? Once you determine that you can start building a calendar with dates that you will be looking forward to. Pretty soon you'll be fully immersed in undertakings that are meaningful and enriching. Time will seem to fly. Now that's retirement freedom. Freedom has to be managed. It won't be work, but it will require the discipline you needed to be successful in the job you used to have. Bring on the activities and manage the calendar and yourself!
