‘The Baby Boomer bucket list is on the rise – and there’s plenty to do’

Retirement bucket lists are very popular with many people in their golden years. Everyone approaching retirement, while enjoying their new golden age, seems so hyperactive to me. They have their bucket lists and daily to-do lists. I do this too, write a to-do list.

I am sure our parents and grandparents did not have bucket lists like we do. They just got older, greyer, more sedate. Maybe I am like them. I like pottering around at home or in the immediate community, with a small group of quality friends. Mind you, I still work part-time as I’m not quite ready to retire. But these days, I work online at home, not in the rat race any more.

What are some of the features of retirement bucket lists? Dance seems popular. Retired people sign up for salsa, line dancing, rock ‘n’ roll, or ballroom dancing. If you’re one of the Baby Boomers, now retiring, with the free time and ability, to enjoy such fun, good on you! You can attend with a dance buddy, or alone, and make new like-minded acquaintances. There is even belly dancing for Baby Boomer bellies. All I can say is, “Good luck, fellow boot scooters, if this old clumsy takes up line dancing!” Still, we are all different.

Some retirement bucket lists incorporate travelling. Certain people are born with the ‘gypsy’. This is their time in the sun, to appreciate our great land as grey nomads, or foreign cultures, as they travel overseas. More modest travellers favour going on bus trips, either day trips, or overnighters.

My late mother, widowed, was recruited for bus trips to build community spirit in her retirement village. Yet her experiences were that 90 per cent of the bus’s passengers were ageing women, with only a few older males. Guess what? At their age, they were all on fluid tablets, which did nothing for their inner gypsy. Let’s just say that the bus driver had a map of every free public loo in the suburbs in any direction.

No, bus trips are not on my bucket list. Excuse me, it is time for my fluid tablets. Back in a minute. (Where’s the loo, and what’s for tea?)

Good for the Baby Boomers! Some of my friends, in their retirement years, regularly engage in aqua aerobics classes. They are so fit, so motivated, so good for mobility and bone density strengthening. “Use it or lose it!” they call as they set off, togs in tow. No, I have not yet been called to do hydrotherapy. Say your prayers if this cellulite tries on swimming togs in those claustrophobic shopping centre dressing rooms!

Still, different strokes for different folks! We are all unique in society, especially at our age. The world is our oyster, sort of slimy and gross. I’m kidding.

There are all the traditional wishes: long life and good health; spend time with the grandkids; quality times with loved ones and friends; travel; learn new hobbies; get fitter. Maybe we never wish to age like our oldies aged. Basically, let’s enjoy each day like there’s no tomorrow. No one our age knows what is front of them.

Have you written your bucket list for your retirement? What is on your retirement bucket list?

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