A Purpose for Retired Expats in Thailand

[CharlieH]

 

For many expats settling in Thailand, a vibrant new chapter unfolds after the curtains fall on long and successful careers—and sometimes, after a failed relationship. Without the compass and the urge to support a family, earn that pay cheque, build a home, and meet the many challenges faced in early years, some find themselves drifting in unfamiliar territory. A common thread binds these individuals—the desire for mental stimulation and purpose beyond the pay cheque.

 

Would you return to work, or engage in volunteering, if you could do so without visa hassles? Imagine the opportunity to contribute your wealth of skills and knowledge to the community around you. Many expats express this longing; the idea of giving back resonates strongly, not only to remain active but also to find fulfillment.

 

Is there truth in the old adage, "use it or lose it"? Stats suggest the average pension collecting years are just eight. Many retirees, after savouring the early days of leisure, grapple with the lack of responsibility and stimulation that a career once provided. Does this ring true for you?

 

How did you navigate this phase? What career did you leave behind, and do you miss it? Could volunteering bridge the gap between nostalgia and new beginnings? For some, offering expertise, whether in business, education, or creative arts, becomes a rewarding pursuit.

 

So what’s next? What did you do, or intend to do, once the bars and the bright lights lose their appeal and the "been there, done that" feeling sets in? Share your thoughts and experiences. Let’s see if we can help others who may be wrestling with this dilemma and inspire each other to explore a more fulfilling path.

 

 

 

[Nemises]

46 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

What did you do, or intend to do, once the bars and the bright lights lose their appeal and the "been there, done that" feeling sets in? 

Mod for AN. Always gonna be a lot of loose cannons on here wanting to cause mischief. 
 

 

[swissie]

14 hours ago, CharlieH said:

 

For many expats settling in Thailand, a vibrant new chapter unfolds after the curtains fall on long and successful careers—and sometimes, after a failed relationship. Without the compass and the urge to support a family, earn that pay cheque, build a home, and meet the many challenges faced in early years, some find themselves drifting in unfamiliar territory. A common thread binds these individuals—the desire for mental stimulation and purpose beyond the pay cheque.

 

Would you return to work, or engage in volunteering, if you could do so without visa hassles? Imagine the opportunity to contribute your wealth of skills and knowledge to the community around you. Many expats express this longing; the idea of giving back resonates strongly, not only to remain active but also to find fulfillment.

 

Is there truth in the old adage, "use it or lose it"? Stats suggest the average pension collecting years are just eight. Many retirees, after savouring the early days of leisure, grapple with the lack of responsibility and stimulation that a career once provided. Does this ring true for you?

 

How did you navigate this phase? What career did you leave behind, and do you miss it? Could volunteering bridge the gap between nostalgia and new beginnings? For some, offering expertise, whether in business, education, or creative arts, becomes a rewarding pursuit.

 

So what’s next? What did you do, or intend to do, once the bars and the bright lights lose their appeal and the "been there, done that" feeling sets in? Share your thoughts and experiences. Let’s see if we can help others who may be wrestling with this dilemma and inspire each other to explore a more fulfilling path.

 

 

 

Surely, too much of something can become boring. Even the "charms of the ladies".

My observation is, that few Farangs engage in activities that benefit the local Thai folks.

Some are starting to look for a "stable relationship" as an anchor in their later years, after having explored all the possibilities of short term aquaintances. Often resulting in "marriage".

This may work but statistically it does mostly not work, at least not for the Farang.

IMHO best for Farangs is to post on AN during the week, (relentlessly) and hit the town over the weekend. Some of us do just that, I never got the impression that they get bored.

Way to go, before considering marriage.

 

[GreasyFingers]

On 10/4/2024 at 11:25 AM, CharlieH said:

Would you return to work, or engage in volunteering, if you could do so without visa hassles? Imagine the opportunity to contribute your wealth of skills and knowledge to the community around you.

No way would I return to work or anything on a permanent basis. Having settled up here in a semi-rural area I would hate to be committed to working for someone else. With 2 rai to look after there is always things to be done but the energy levels are not what they used to be so they get done on a most needs basis.

The lack of energy also leads to lack of motivation to do anything outside the property or even go anywhere. Even though the wife is much younger she is starting to have the same attitude. However she does have family and friends that interrupt her mini farming lifestyle.

As to contributing skills to the community it is difficult to find a Thai that wants to learn and not do it their way.

[bigt3116]

16 hours ago, swissie said:

This may work but statistically it does mostly not work, at least not for the Farang.

 

Can you post a link to the statistics that back up this claim, (no, I don't want a picture of a bar stool).

[hotandsticky]

Seek contentment, be happy in your skin, learn to enjoy your own company and don't think that everything looks better through the bottom of a beer glass.

 

Then decide what to do with your time.

[KhunLA]

"So what’s next? What did you do, or intend to do, once the bars and the bright lights lose their appeal and the "been there, done that" feeling sets in? "

 

That scene lost its appeal to me long before I moved to TH.  Never really bothered with it here, as got that all out of my system before arriving.

 

I did the reverse of most folks,  Didn't do the family thing.  Skipped that an went straight to planning the retirement, while enjoying the S, D & RR.

 

Then retired, and did the family thing, quite unplanned, as thought I'd simply continue on enjoying myself, without doing the family thing ... ever.

 

Turned out, the family thing, is pretty damn cool, and just as much fun & rewarding, if not more so, than the S, D & RR was.  Go figure, who would have thought.

 

Now I've been retired of all responsibilities, and this is fun also.  Presently at a crossroads now, strange at near 70 yrs old, and actually thinking about playing subsistent farmer.  All in, except the 4 legged livestock part.  Just chickens, and just enough for eggs.  Already got one lot going, and wife picked up 2 more this week.  One is almost cleared, and the other, really don't need for anything.

 

Do need a new hobby