Retirement is something everyone looks forward to as a time of freedom, relaxation and most of all, self-fulfillment. Retirement bucket lists include travel, spending time with family, and other long-awaited goals, but one of the most essential should be finding passion and purpose in retirement.
Passion and purpose in retirement: What’s in it for you?
Like many phrases in today’s vernacular, “finding your passion and purpose in retirement” may seem cliché, but it’s really an invitation to explore and grow. Working in a career for decades can make life a bit stale and may even dumb down your drive to change and be adventurous.
As you enter the next phase of life, however, having passion and purpose in retirement can make each day a new beginning and each new endeavor a challenge with rewards to reap, not only in personal gratification but physically as well. According to the sixtyandme.com article, “Why Having a Sense of Purpose is So Important in Retirement,” living a purposeful life enhances happiness, and one study showed it may lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, disabilities, and even death.
Passion and purpose in retirement: How to find it
For many, finding passion and purpose in retirement is easier said than done. If you struggle, start by thinking about things you have participated in in the past that made you want to hop out of bed and embrace the day. As you think back, make a list of each event or activity and then branch out to new ideas that excite you or about which you are curious or committed.
It may also help to think with your heart instead of your head and reach beyond your comfort zone to seek out things you can do for the greater good, or for just one other human being. There are never enough giving people to go around and you may have just the talent or gift needed to help others improve their own lives. For more ways to approach finding your passion and purpose in retirement, check out the forbes.com article, “How To Find Your Passions In Retirement.”
Passion and purpose in retirement: A few possibilities
Volunteering
This is one of the best ways to find passion and purpose in retirement and there are many, many organizations that can use your help. Start with your experience at work. Maybe you can volunteer to teach children to read, mentor young business entrepreneurs, put your construction skills to work here or around the world, or use your medical background to help underserved communities. If you already have a passion for something like the environment, social justice or animal welfare try local groups that share your desire to help and offer volunteer opportunities. For a look at organizations that need help try volunteermatch.org or unitedway.org, or contact local charities and non-profit organizations.
Life-long learning
For those that love to expand their intellectual horizons, this is another wonderful way to find passion and purpose in retirement. You can pick up where you left off with a favorite subject from childhood like archelogy or astronomy or try something new like learning a language or a technology like 3D printing. Life-long learning has really taken off in the last few decades and is available almost everywhere online, as well as in-person at local colleges and universities. Although some classes have a cost, there are also many that are offered free to seniors so learning has never been easier or less expensive. One of the premier providers is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute with numerous locations available in the “Lifelong Learning Institute Directory.” Another option is the fundingguide.giaging.org article, “Lifelong Learning Programs,” or research local opportunities online.
Turn a hobby into a passion
Another possibility is to turn a hobby into a passion that gives back to the community. If you love growing things you may be able to help out in a community garden teaching others how to produce wonderful fresh produce and flowers, or maybe a hobby working with wood could become an opportunity to make toys for needy children at Christmas time. Other ideas include refurbishing bicycles to help others who cannot afford a new one, knitting or crocheting baby hats or lap blankets for the elderly and contributing your culinary skills to feeding the hungry at a local soup kitchen or shelter.
At Sonrisa Senior Living we know that a big part of aging well is living with passion and purpose. Find out what awaits in our “Active Adult Decision Guide” then contact us to learn more about Sonrisa Senior Living.
