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Rediscover your true self in retirement

Many retirees have worked hard all their lives. Work was their life; and after retiring, they often discover that they actually don’t have any special interests or social circles.

Carmen Ng, Manager of the St. James’ Settlement’s HUBBA Lab, explains that some retirees will plan a full schedule of activities to fill their extra time, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have found a new life focus or that the activities are meaningful to them. She advises retirees to use their retirement to revisit their dreams or develop new hobbies – to recall what they were interested in when they were in school, and try things they never have before. Perhaps they will discover their true talent and realise what is really worth investing their valuable time in.

In addition, men and women’s attitudes toward retirement are completely different. Women divide their time between home and work, and when they retire; their children are for the most part already adults. After a woman’s workload at home is reduced, she would like to focus more on what she likes to do in life. However, men may feel that they have previously ignored their families, so would like to spend more time with them. Therefore, it’s best for couples to come together, meet new friends, establish common interests and topics, while still respecting each other’s private space.

Let’s watch HUBBA Lab Ambassadors Iris, his husband and her brother Stephen demonstrate some exercises they have learned since retiring, and then watch as they teach them to the elderly at different social centres for the elderly. If you’re interested learning more about activities for retirees, visit their website: https://cc.sjs.org.hk/?route=news-article&news=59 (in Chinese only).