How to Find and Pursue a New Purpose in Retirement

One of the best things about retirement is taking it easy and escaping the daily grind of work. However, many retirees find they miss the sense of purpose and value their careers provided for so many years.

It can be bit of a shock to the system if you haven’t prepared yourself for this before you retire – even if you’ve spent years dreaming of the time when your days are yours to do with as you please!

That’s why it’s important to put some thought into what your new purpose will be once you finish work. In other words, what is it that will get you motivated and out of bed each day?

There are endless possibilities. Maybe you want to give back to the community, learn something new or get creative. We all have things we have wanted to do through the years but never had the time. In retirement, you have the perfect opportunity to finally do it.

So, whether you’re planning to retire in the next few years, or have already done so, if you haven’t found your purpose after work, here are some tips to help you uncover and pursue it.

Relax, Recharge and Brainstorm

First and foremost, when it comes to finding your new purpose, there’s no need to rush. In fact, it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to wind down from all those years of toil and recharge the batteries before you embark on something new. Start by thinking about what type of activities will make you feel fulfilled and happy. Have you always wanted to help others? Educate yourself? Pursue a hobby? Or make a difference in the world?

Uncovering where your passion lies can be harder than you think. Talking to other retirees about their experiences and to your spouse, family and friends can be a great source of inspiration. If you’re stuck for ideas or overwhelmed by the options, pick up a pen and paper and do some brainstorming. Spend a week or two adding and deleting things, until you have a shortlist that you feel genuinely excited about.

If You’re Still Not Sure…

Here are some popular ways that retirees find new purpose:

Volunteer your time – Whether your passion is helping people, animals or the environment, there’s sure to be an opportunity that’s the perfect fit for your skills and interests.

Enjoy some hobbies – From sport to cooking, and travel to gardening, there has never been a better time to immerse yourself in a favourite hobby (or two) than now.

Explore your creative side – If you’ve always wanted to try painting, knitting, woodworking or write a novel, why not give it a go?

Learn something new – Always wished you could speak French or play the guitar? Or maybe you want to know more about history or science? It’s never too late!

Be fit and active – There are lots of options when it comes to exercise and sport for retirees including swimming, golf, tennis, bowls, yoga and walking. And it’s good for the mind and the body.

Research and Make it Happen

Once you have a clear picture of the type of activities that will give you purpose, start looking into how you can put them into action. You can do this by talking to people in your community to find out about local groups or classes that match your interest.

Newspapers and magazines related to the topic can also be a good resource, and of course you’re bound to find plenty of information when you spend some time researching online. Look up relevant websites, and don’t forget to check out social media pages too.

Final Word on Finding Your Purpose

It can be hard to find a new purpose and pursue it after you’ve devoted so much of your life to work. It can also be daunting, as you’ll likely need to put yourself out there, get out of your comfort zone and meet new people.

But as a reward for your efforts, you’ll receive a renewed sense of purpose, a boost to your confidence and motivation to get the most out of life. And once you find your new calling, you’ll be jumping out of bed every day.

Over to You

Do you have a tip to share to help other retirees find a new purpose? We’d love to hear it! Post a comment below or visit our Facebook page.

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