I retired 6-1/2 years ago and didn't know a thing about quilting or even threading my new machine. My BFF would come over to thread the machine or solve problems for me the first few months (she 'd always said I needed to learn to quilt).
Quilting became my favorite pastime nearly immediately. I usually spend 3-4 afternoons quilting each week. I've made about 70 quilts or more. I regularly attend the local guild, started our church's quilt group and teach new quilters techniques for quilts we make to donate to missionary ventures, and belong to a LQS BOM group that meets monthly. I'm off to that this morning!
What would I do if I hadn't begun quilting in retirement? I cannot imagine!