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How to age well and stay happy in retirement? 67-year-old chooses active, exciting life

‘Retirement doesn’t mean resting,’ says Hong Kong-based Alfred Yu, who leads running and cycling tours, and teaches tai chi and painting

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When Hongkonger Alfred Yu (centre) retired, he took up a number of activities, including teaching tai chi with fans. He says retirement allowed him to explore new possibilities, develop different skills and share them freely with others. Photo: Jonathan Wong

For Alfred Yu, retirement was the beginning of an active, purposeful life.

Growing older had sparked new passions in him and retirement allowed the Hong Kong-based 67-year-old to explore new possibilities, develop different skills and share them freely with others.

After a career running his own training centre focused on computer-aided design and graphic design, Yu’s retirement in 2014 marked a turning point.

With more free time and no financial pressures, and his only child becoming more independent at age 16, Yu had the opportunity to rediscover his own interests.

“Retirement doesn’t mean resting. It means having the freedom to do what you love,” he said.

Yu bikes in Yuen Long, Hong Kong, in 2022. Photo: Alfred Yu
Yu bikes in Yuen Long, Hong Kong, in 2022. Photo: Alfred Yu

He took up camping, cycling and running – activities he had never prioritised in his youth. “I was never athletic, but I liked swimming. Running and biking were new challenges.”

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