6 Rituals and Routines for Retired Boomers

My retired brother lives in Athens (Georgia, not Greece), and we were going on an out-of-state trip. I was to make the 45-minute trip over to his home to pick him up at 9:30 a.m.—not too early and not too late.  Ten minutes out, I called him. 

“I won’t be ready when you get here,” he told me when he picked up. 

It seems he has a ritual of getting ready in the mornings, and he was going to have to complete that process before we could begin our trip. He didn’t want to be rushed.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, rituals are defined as “a way of doing something in which the same actions are done in the same way every time.” Rituals help you slow down, to find happiness in the smallest of things. Some people turn everyday routines into more meaningful rituals.

Enjoying rituals is one of the pleasures of retirement. In fact, there are many types of rituals you can enjoy. Here are 6 you can try for yourself.

1. A morning/getting ready routine

Most of us go through the same ritual every morning. Whether it’s drinking water, brushing our teeth, or reading the paper, we tend to do things in the same order without having to think about it. If you don’t have a fixed morning routine, then it’s high time you made one. This can help you stay focused and structured in retirement. Pick out some activities you enjoy and be intentional about doing them every morning!

2. Sitting down and eating breakfast

I have been taking a walk and then coming back to make breakfast. I love to poach an egg or two, microwave a slice of turkey bacon, and toast a thick slice of toast. My wife Mary Ann always gets her bowl of oatmeal, adding a little soy milk and a dash of cinnamon. Then we drink some coffee and fuel ourselves for the rest of the day.

3. Walking pets

This is a great ritual to get people out of the house on a regular schedule. Fresh air is good for us. As a matter of fact, studies show that fresh air and sunshine can boost your mood, lower your stress levels, and improve digestion. Plus, it’s good for your pup, as well! So, grab a leash, put on those tennis shoes, and get walking.

4. Exercising

With exercise, consistency is important. What better way to be consistent than to create a ritual? Try exercising at the same time each day. Mornings work best for me. With the race walking I do, it’s important to have a ritual. Personally, I eat two hours in advance, take a couple of Tylenol one hour before, and always do some warm-up stretches. Of course, you need to find out what works best for you. And once you do, stick to that ritual!

5. Gardening

My wife waters the patio plants every morning. Meanwhile, I’m setting out the sprinkler for our new backyard sod. It’s nice to have a reason to step outside early every morning. Plants need a little attention and TLC just about every day. Perfect conditions for creating a ritual, if you ask me.

6. Traveling

Yes, travel can actually become a ritual. In a few months, my wife and I are going on two cruises with our former neighbors, Scott and Dawn. Believe it or not, this will be our 36th cruise and 7th with our designated cruise buddies. I don’t need a crystal ball to know we’re going to enjoy ourselves. We’re familiar with the ship, and we’re going with lifelong friends. When we were a little younger, we used to go to Destin, FL every April and stay at the same condo. Find your own “spot” and make it a point to visit there whenever you can. Trust me when I say it makes retirement a lot more exciting.

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