In many of my previous articles, I’ve emphasized the importance of finding purpose in retirement. While this is undeniably vital for achieving true happiness and fulfilment, the idea of discovering a purpose can often feel daunting. Many of us assume that our purpose must be something monumental or life-changing—a Purpose with a capital P! However, this is far from the truth. In reality, it’s the smaller, everyday purposes—the “little p’s”—that make life memorable and meaningful.

When we think of finding our purpose, we often picture something dramatic: a monk meditating atop a mountain, waiting for a bolt of lightning to deliver enlightenment. But life rarely works this way. I believe we don’t need to find our purpose—we need to create it. This shift in mindset is especially important as we navigate the transition into retirement, which can be stressful and unpredictable, particularly if it hasn’t unfolded as we envisioned.

Retirement brings significant changes to our day-to-day lives. Beyond the financial aspects, it’s a deeply personal shift that requires reflection and adjustment. By consciously deciding who we want to be in this next phase of life and acting purposefully, we can create our own sense of purpose. This approach allows us to live our lives by design, rather than on autopilot.

Living purposefully means embracing the freedom to do what we want, when we want, and for as long as we want. While hobbies like playing golf can be enjoyable, repeating the same activities daily without variation can quickly lead to monotony. By intentionally diversifying our days and pursuing activities that resonate with us, we can ensure that retirement becomes a time of discovery and joy.

Ultimately, creating purpose in retirement doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s about the little choices and intentional actions that add meaning to our lives. By living on our own terms and embracing this chapter as an opportunity for growth, exploration, and connection, we can make sure it’s the happiest and most rewarding phase yet. Life in retirement is what we make of it, and with purposeful living, it can be truly extraordinary.

Dirk Groeneveld, Certified Financial Planner.

Previous Columns:

Verified by MonsterInsights