Explore What Brings You Joy and Purpose

Living a joyful life in retirement is easier when you know exactly what brings you joy. It doesn't have to be monumental events or activities that bring happiness to your life. The little moments often make you feel the most gratitude when you're tuned into them. Some examples of sources of joy include:

• Time spent with family and friends
• Performing acts of kindness for others
• Making something creative
• Listening to Christian music
• Praying
• Traveling
• Going for walks
• Seeing flowers and plants
• Playing with your pet

You might have specific skills and talents that lead you to other sources of joy. Some of the items on your list probably come to mind easily. Others might take a little more digging. If you want to dig deeper to uncover more things that give you purpose and joy, try these exercises:

• Practice mindfulness. Work on being in the moment throughout your day. Notice when your mood shifts and you feel a sense of fulfillment or happiness. This helps you focus on the things going on around you that create those emotions.
• Journal. Writing down your thoughts can help you make connections and discover deeper purposes. You can do a general journal or try gratitude journaling. To keep a gratitude journal, spend a little time each day writing down the things you're grateful for that happened that day.
• Explore new activities. Some of your joys could be activities you haven't tried yet. You might dust off an old camera and try photography or jump into another hobby. Taking classes based on your interests can also help you discover your joy and purpose. Many colleges offer free or inexpensive college courses to seniors. You can also participate in activities and outings at The Gardens at ViewPointe in Colorado Springs to try new things.
• Meet new people. Socializing introduces you to new, interesting people who have different experiences and passions than you do. Those interactions could lead to you discovering a new passion yourself.

Choose the Activities That Align

Once you know what lights your passions and joy, plan activities that fulfill those purposes. Then, find ways to work them into your daily schedule with purposeful activities. Some examples include:

• Starting a business
• Working a part-time job in a field that brings you joy
• Volunteering your time
• Starting a nonprofit organization
• Joining an interest-based group
• Starting a club based on your interests

For instance, if you feel joy when you're around children and find purpose in serving others, you might volunteer to teach Sunday school or monitor the nursery during church services. Maybe you're good at math, so you decide to start a faith-based financial services business in your retirement years. If you've been affected by a disease or situation, you might start a nonprofit organization that benefits that cause.

Build a Daily Schedule

In the working world, you often have to follow a somewhat strict schedule. Now that you're retired, you have more flexibility to shape your day how you see fit. However, you can still benefit from having a loose schedule or at least a general framework for what you do each day. That way, you're saving time for the activities that spark your joy and sense of purpose.

Think about your normal routine now, including when you wake up and go to bed, eat meals and do regular activities. You can work with that basic structure and add in your new activities. Some options, such as classes, happen at specific times and are easy to fit into your schedule. Others are activities you need to schedule yourself. Consider when you have the most energy or feel the most creative to schedule activities that require those attributes.

Set Up Your Space to Support Your Activities

It's easier to stick to a retirement routine and make your new activities habits when you create an environment for success. That might include creating a dedicated space to complete activities. It could also mean creating a comfortable, inspiring environment that encourages you to pursue various interests.

Start the Day on a Positive Note

How you start your mornings influences how you feel the rest of the day. When you wake up feeling refreshed and happy to be where you are, that positive sentiment tends to carry throughout the day. Establishing a solid morning routine helps you begin your day with a sense of purpose and joy.

Every person is different, so your morning routine should be unique to you. For many people, moving around and stepping into the sun as soon as possible provides energy. Then, move on to activities you enjoy and that help you focus your thoughts on joy and purpose. You might turn on your favorite Christian music while you journal or study the Bible to remind yourself to focus on God throughout the day.

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