I’ve never been very good at the idea of retirement.
Not because there’s anything wrong with retiring.
I just don’t particularly want to retire from something I still want to do.
Peggy and I still have classes to teach. People we care about. RiversZen. This publication. Ideas I haven’t explored yet. Things I want to learn.
And probably seventeen projects I’ve forgotten about until Peggy reminds me. 😂
That gives me a reason to get up in the morning.
I think that matters.
We Need Something That Pulls Us Forward
There’s research connecting a sense of purpose with better health and well-being as we age.
But I don’t really need research to tell me that having something you care about changes the way a day feels.
I’ve seen it in people for years.
Purpose doesn’t have to mean starting a business or changing the world.
Maybe it’s your grandchildren.
Your garden.
Your dog.
Teaching somebody something you know.
Volunteering.
Learning to play guitar badly at 70.
Having somebody waiting for you at class Tuesday morning.
It just needs to matter to you.
That’s the part I think we sometimes lose when we talk about aging well.
We talk about protein and strength and balance and blood pressure.
All important.
But what are you staying healthy for?
That’s a considerably more interesting question.
I don’t want to keep moving simply so I can brag about being able to move.
I want my body to keep working because I still have things I want to do with it.
Maybe that’s what purpose really is.
Not another longevity hack.
Just a reason to look forward to tomorrow.
What are you looking forward to?
Whatever it is, don’t underestimate it.
That may be fuel too.