# The Life Aspect of Retirement
An enjoyable retirement isn’t solely about not working—it’s about having a life that’s engaging, exciting, significant, and even a bit challenging in the most rewarding manner.
So how can you achieve that? How can you create a retirement that feels vibrant instead of dull?
The solution is straightforward: you strategize for the life aspect of retirement (sometimes referred to as the time aspect—I may utilize both phrases throughout this series). The most content retirees I’ve encountered didn’t merely wish for things to align. They explored different avenues prior to retirement. They experimented with various activities, discovered what they liked (and what they didn’t), and devised a plan that thrilled them.
It’s not a complicated process—and honestly, it can be quite enjoyable. But you do have to take action. That’s the crucial part.
Nevertheless, even with that understanding, many individuals are unsure of where to start. What should you even contemplate?
To assist with that, I’ve curated a [Comprehensive List of Incredible Retirement Activities](https://esimoney.com/huge-list-of-awesome-retirement-activities/). It’s filled with over 400 ideas to occupy your time with purpose and pleasure. But let’s be realistic—400 options can seem a bit daunting.
That’s why I’m streamlining it for you.
After nearly nine years of my own retirement, numerous discussions with fellow retirees, and reading more than 50 books (along with countless articles) on the topic, I’ve pinpointed what I consider the top seven retirement activities.
These aren’t merely suggestions I personally enjoy—they’re pursuits that repeatedly emerge among successful, content retirees. So if you’re trying to determine how to allocate your time in retirement, these seven should be at the forefront of your list. At the very least, they warrant serious consideration.
In essence, I’m distilling those 400+ ideas down to the crème de la crème—to provide you with a robust starting point for designing a life you genuinely appreciate in retirement.
## How Many Activities Should You Have?
Before we delve into the list of primary retirement activities, let’s take a moment to discuss how many activities you need—and what type they should be. These specifics are just as critical as having activities at all.
Wes Moss, a financial advisor and author who has extensively examined happy retirees, discovered that the most satisfied retirees possess, on average, 3.6 “Core Pursuits”—his phrase for what he labels “hobbies on steroids.”
If you’ve been following ESI Money for a while, this is likely familiar to you. We’ve previously explored Core Pursuits in depth. However, since it’s been some time (or if you’re a newcomer), revisiting this concept is beneficial as it significantly influences how fulfilling your retirement is likely to be.
To get informed, I strongly recommend reading this article: [What the Happiest Retirees Know: Developing Core Pursuits](https://esimoney.com/what-the-happiest-retirees-know-developing-core-pursuits-and-the-benefits-of-volunteering/). It outlines the foundation of why Core Pursuits are essential and how they enhance happiness and longevity in retirement.
We’ll build on that foundation as we proceed—so it’s wise to take a look if you haven’t already.
In summary, that article emphasizes the following:
**“Core pursuits need to be nurtured and developed beforehand. Plant the seeds of curiosity prior to retirement, so you can cultivate them afterward.**
**The happiest retirees have 3.6 core pursuits. The least happy retirees only possess 1.9.**
**Core pursuits serve as the foundations for happiness during your post-career phase. They resemble hobbies, but on a grander scale. In other words: they’re hobbies on steroids.**
**As a quick recap, the distinction between a hobby and a core pursuit can be illustrated as follows: A hobby involves occasionally reading an article from American Fencing Magazine and attending a one-time fencing class at a nearby university. A core pursuit means joining a local fencing team and launching a weekly podcast called En Garde that chronicles the career of Hall of Fame Olympic fencing coach Maitre Michel Alaux in his endeavor to view the sport as both an art and a science.**
**Some individuals think that working was the difficult part and all they need for a joyful retirement is to relax and do nothing. This, my friends, is simply not true. You must know what you want to pursue during your retirement years before you can derive enjoyment from it. Sleeping in and lounging on the porch are delightful perks, but they don’t create a happy and satisfying retirement.**
**That’s why you require core pursuits. And they’re not exclusive to current retirees, by**