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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

I'll Never be a Rembrant but.....


Don’t Sweat #3[i]
The Hobbyist

       When we are young children many of us develop an ongoing interest in hobbies.  This is before we were encouraged to study in preparation for our main life of work.  It can go from collecting stamps (I did a bit of that) to toy airplanes.
         Retirement is a good time to either return to original hobbies or begin new ones. Over the past few years I have enjoyed woodcarving.  Then I began a new pattern of painting; first with watercolor and since I’ve retired with Acrylic.
       I have always enjoyed reading novels including the works of Robert Ludlum, Brian Herbert, Terry Brooks, and Stephen King.   They are on my bookshelves and recently I have started reading them again.
       I also enjoy regular exercise for example for the last month I have, just after waking in the morning gone for a 45 to 60 minute jog. This is also because I have a goal to lose weight). My birthday is mid October and I wish to be under 200 pounds by then and I enjoy the trip especially the part in a local forest.
       The author does tell us that “One thing to keep in mind as you revisit or create hobbies—these pursuits often carry a price tag. Daily workouts may require purchase of exercise equipment or membership in a fitness centre. Becoming a diehard sports fan may involve purchase of game tickets, as well as travel and parking costs at sporting arenas. If your hobby involves renovating cars or other types of equipment, you may have to lay out money for parts. In some cases, however, hobbies can lead to money making ventures.”
       In my case have had to pay painting equipment like brushes, paint and canvases.  But, who knows, perhaps some day I’ll be able to sell a painting or two.
         
   


[i]    Don’t Sweat Chapter 2  pages 74-75

3 comments:

  1. It's interesting to see how retirees can move from one hobby to another until they find their own retirement success. The idea in this post about dreaming and maybe selling a painting or two is REAL. A lot of seniors stop at this stage because they would need some business skills to take their hobby to the next level. I say, go ahead and find out where you can learn all about taking your hobby into the business environment and be successful at it.

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    1. Thank you for your comment! I am also preparing to "market" two seminars. One about non-financial retirement and the other about ageism. Interestingly in earlier years I worked for about ten years as an industrial clinical psychologist. I am on the Board at a local senior's center and 90% of the other members work in the business world. I will now also ask them "taking my hobby to the next level'

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