What’s Your Purpose Now?
Like me, you may be dealing with aging loved ones. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I’ll handle aging myself—though in my mind, I’m still 39! One thing I’ve noticed, and maybe you have too, is how easy it is for people in their 80s (or older) to quietly slip into waiting. Waiting for the next doctor appointment, waiting for a visit, waiting for the end. It’s heartbreaking—but it’s also incredibly common.
And that got me thinking: Is that really how we’re meant to live our final decades? Just waiting? I hope not. Because I believe the antidote to that slow fade is having a sense of purpose—something bigger than yourself to focus on at every age.
Did You Lose Your Purpose?
You may have had a purpose and lost it. Maybe you retired, lost a partner, or became an empty nester. As we all know, change is inevitable. When you lose something or someone, there’s a grace period to grieve, but for the sake of your health—mental, emotional, and even physical—you eventually need to figure out what’s next.
That “next” thing is often tied to purpose. It doesn’t have to be grand, public, or world-changing. It just needs to matter—to you.
A Story That Stuck With Me
I recently listened to a podcast by Mel Robbins and Jay Shetty called “Mindshift on Happiness and Purpose.” One story they shared really stuck with me.
They talked about two groups of hospital cleaners. One group viewed their job as cleaning. The other group called themselves “Healers and Carers.” They believed their work helped patients recover—that their attention to cleanliness played a role in healing. Just that mindset shift—a different story about the same work—gave them a powerful sense of purpose. They were happier, more productive, and more connected to the people they served.
That story reminded me that purpose doesn’t have to be complicated. It just needs to feel meaningful.
Bee’s Purpose
One of my mom’s friends, Bee, is 97 years old. She has seven children, a big extended family, and a sharp sense of humor. But what really lights her up these days? Crocheting.
It may seem small, but it brings her joy—and gives her a reason to keep learning and giving. In fact, she’s become the go-to person for anyone who wants to learn to crochet in her independent living community. Her hooks and yarn are her way of staying relevant, creative, and generous. That’s purpose.
What Can You Call a Purpose?
Purpose doesn’t need a title or paycheck. It could be:
- Volunteering at a food bank or library
- Mentoring someone younger
- Learning a new skill just for the joy of it
- Writing your family’s history
- Gardening, painting, caregiving, teaching, creating
Anything that connects you to others, to your values, or to your sense of legacy—that’s purpose.
Why It Matters (A Lot)
According to research from Harvard University’s Human Flourishing Program, having a sense of purpose will help you by improving:
- Memory
- Mood regulation
- Physical health
- Longevity
People with a strong sense of purpose tend to live longer, have fewer chronic illnesses, and report more life satisfaction. And if you’ve ever known someone who lacks a sense of purpose, you know what that looks like too—their world narrows, their focus becomes solely on aches and pains, and joy becomes scarce.
So, What’s Next for You?
Are you in a season of transition? Feeling unsure of your “next thing”? That’s okay.
You’re not lost—you’re just between purposes.
Take a moment to think about what lights you up, what others turn to you for, or what you’ve always wanted to try. You don’t need to change the world. But you do deserve to wake up each day feeling like you matter.
Because you do!
I’ve created a simple workbook to help you uncover where your next season of peace, joy, and purpose might begin. You can download below:
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