To the OP, I guess you have to see what gives you energy. Is it nature? Museums? Being with others? When I take my kids to gardens, I notice the elderly in particular are really drawn to them—their laughter and silly things they do. It seems to remind them of what youth is like.

Beyond tourist things, I'd find a regular volunteer gig. Usher at the theater, help sort food at the food bank, help at an animal shelter. Whatever sounds interesting to you.

Anonymous wrote:I would get organized and get ready to move. Make lists of thing you want to get rid,of, clean out closets, do a major down size.Figure out what furniture will not fit in new place and plan to sell. Go on google and find all about your new town. After you finish all that, do some local tourist attractions or short time volunteer.

For me these tasks would definitely take a year so this is good advice! How about programs at your local library? In my area many of those are in the daytime.

I’m SO jealous you get to leave! Where to?

If it makes you feel better, we had an HOA meeting the other day and a lot of people living in this area a long time have felt their quality of living has significantly decreased.

If you have the means, why not check into a nice downtown hotel or somewhere nearby and be like an actual tourist? Have you done Shakespeare in the Park? Kite Festival this weekend? Bikes around the Mall or the Billy Goat Trail? Take a class at the Torpedo Factory? White House Tour? Top of the Washington Monument or Old Post Office building? Watched Congress in action (do they still let you in at night while they’re in session?)? Day trip to Baltimore, St Michael’s or Annapolis?

I would get organized and get ready to move. Make lists of thing you want to get rid,of, clean out closets, do a major down size.Figure out what furniture will not fit in new place and plan to sell. Go on google and find all about your new town. After you finish all that, do some local tourist attractions or short time volunteer.

Anonymous wrote:Before leaving this area? Be a tourist. Maybe hire a private tour guide to see the sights.

not necessarily a private guide, but I would definitely go see places you haven't seen yet.

I used to live in CA, 40 years, and I had only been to Hollywood once to a club, at night as a teen with friends. I went back several years ago with my kids, and finally saw the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Not that big of a deal, I know, but generally, people don't seem to visit touristy places if they live in the area.

DC area has a lot of natural beauty I think. Lots of hiking trails, rivers, etc. Shenendoah( know I spelled it wrong) National park in the fall is quite pretty. Eastern shore MD, Harpers Ferry, all the DC monuments and museums... do all of that.

Before leaving this area? Be a tourist. Maybe hire a private tour guide to see the sights.

I think you need to get out of the house. Start walking, look at volunteering, go to lunch with friends, window shop, join a gym, etc. Don’t know how long ago you retired but if recent you are probably used to having a daily schedule and your body/mind still crave that.

Find a volunteering gig and hobbies. I foster dogs.

If you have a year before you leave the area before retirement, what would you do? Mainly daytime things.

I have lived here for decades but lately any roots I planted have left, petered out (mainly due to Covid and not returned), or died. I don’t feel like planting new roots when we are leaving next year. I have a few monthly things that continue but it is not enough.

DH is still working and I am retired.

As they say, my get up and go has got up and gone. So, I am also looking at ways to rejuvenate and get out of my current negative loop.

I had a physical and mostly things are not out of whack - at least the things that may be causing the slump. I exercise daily and have a reasonable diet.