Summer is Prime Time to Pick a New Pastime
Even in retirement, summertime hits a little differently. Months-long breaks from school may be little more than distant memories, and annual family treks to far-flung relatives now linger in your mind’s eye’s rearview mirror. But still, be it habit or nostalgia, or possibly the increase of sunshine-fueled vitamin D, the onset of summer inspires to get out and do something. Which makes summer the perfect season for sampling a new hobby or two.
We’ve selected a few activities that are trending in popularity as hobbies for seniors. Some you may have heard of, some may be new, but all are worth considering (and at least trying) if you’re up for some good fun out in the summer sun.
Sketch Journaling
Let’s allay your fears forthwith — you don’t have to be an artist or even a passable illustrator to enjoy sketch journaling. Because sketch journaling, like its word-based counterpart, is about capturing a moment, a feeling, or an observation. If you’re prone to stopping and smelling the roses, noticing shapes in passing clouds, or the little interactions between passersby that make them smile, sketch journaling could be for you.
All you really need is a piece of paper and a pencil, but feel free to invest in a sketchbook or watercolor tablet and head outside.
If you’ve ever stopped to admire a flower in bloom or a passing cloud shaped like a duck (hey, it happens), sketch journaling might be your thing. And don’t worry if you’re not a bona fide artiste — sketch journaling is more about, as your grandkids might say, the vibes it creates as opposed to creating the next Van Gogh.
Outdoor Book Clubs
Admittedly, neither reading as a hobby nor joining a book club would be considered cutting-edge free time experiences. But taking it outside? Why didn’t anyone think of this sooner?
A good book, good company, and good weather. What more could a bibliophile want? All you need is your tome of choice, a location, and maybe a pitcher of iced tea or lemonade. Park gazebos and shelter houses make for great (and shaded) gathering places, but don’t be afraid to invite folks over and gather on your patio. Just be sure to make it BYOLC — bring your own lawn chair.
Videography
From 35mm to Polaroids to Instamatics to disc film (bonus points if you remember those) to SLRs to digital cameras to smartphones, your life has witnessed a remarkable evolution of photographic technology. An evolution you probably took part in, whether you were taking family snapshots or converting the kitchen into a makeshift dark room.
Perhaps now is the time to progress from stills to motion.
Today’s smartphones far exceed the video capabilities of anything anyone outside the entertainment industry has used before. And while you may have taken a few (or a few hundred) clips of your grandkids, it might be time to kick it up a notch.
Editing apps are plentiful, with many available for free. And they’re easier to use than you might first imagine. Many senior centers and libraries now offer beginner videography classes, and YouTube is full of step-by-step guides. With a bit of practice, you can turn everyday scenes into something even Scorsese might envy.
Smoking Meat
Retirement doesn’t have to equal slowing down, but if you’re looking for a pastime where time isn’t of the essence, joining the growing legions of senior smokers may rub you the right way. Smoking meat can be as simple or sophisticated as you prefer. For example, you can start with a smaller electric smoker before diving into the vast world of pellets versus hardwoods versus charcoal.
Smoking meat — and veggies, too — requires practice and patience. But for those who embrace the process of checking the temperature, adjusting air vents, choosing a rub, etc., the journey ends with a succulent reward that few efforts can match. Proving that taking it low and slow is sometimes the best way to reach new gastronomical heights.
When in Doubt, Pickleball
Yes, we know. Pickleball is not exactly an underground sport, especially among older adults. However, if we’re going to discuss trending hobbies for seniors, we still need to talk about pickleball, as it continues to grow. And it’s easy to see why. Combining elements of tennis, badminton, and Ping-Pong, pickleball is easy to learn and easy to love without requiring the physical fitness of a triathlete — while still helping you embrace active aging.
Perhaps just as importantly, pickleball is a very social sport. While you can play it singles style (one on one), doubles is by far the more popular format. And with courts popping up everywhere — from public parks to private clubs to even right here at Summit Vista — you’ll never be short of new challengers who will quickly become fast friends.
Make Summit Vista Your Hobby HQ
At Summit Vista, we believe every senior deserves to experience life at the top. Naturally, part of living life to the fullest includes staying active in retirement and pursuing the things you’ve always loved while venturing into new experiences. Our community both encourages and enables you to get the most out of every day. So, whether you’re reigniting past passions or learning everything you can about something new and amazing, you’ll find Summit Vista to be both the perfect home to return to and the perfect home base from which to plan your next adventure.