Many Senior Citizens Are Turning To This Bizarre New Hobby

Everyone needs a hobby, but for senior citizens who’ve tried pretty much everything, an entertaining pastime can be hard to find. That’s not the case for a bunch of retirees in New Zealand, though. They’ve found a very unique activity to do in their spare time — one that involves a rather wicked sense of humor. And while it appears to be making them happy, it's leaving some people a bit uncomfortable.

Unusual project

It all started with an international organization called the University of the Third Age, or U3A for short. The group is ideal for anyone who’s retired or retiring, meaning many of its worldwide members are naturally seniors. They come together to learn and grow, and while it sounds wholesome enough, some of its members have taken on, er, shall we say, unusual projects.

One shocking idea

The controversy began in around 2009 in Rotorua, New Zealand, when members of U3A gathered to form new clubs. One by one, the retirees raised their hands and put forward their hobby ideas. But then one lady shared a suggestion that shook up the entire gathering.

Heavy topic

The lady, Katie Williams, stood with her hand held high. She was ready to bring up a rather uncomfortable topic: mortality. Katie felt no discomfort discussing the inevitable, but when she presented her club idea, the crowd fell silent. Then again, those listening probably hadn’t had the experiences that helped her to talk about death so openly.

Hard times

Katie, you see, had spent years working as a palliative care nurse. That was hard enough, but now that she was in her 70s, the retiree was also dealing with her own battle against old age. “Because of my work and my age, I had become a perpetual mourner,” Katie told The Guardian in 2016. Still, she wondered if there was any way she could make the process more enjoyable.