Redefining What’s Next: Living with Purpose, Connection, and Joy After 55
September has that back-to-school vibe. There’s an invitation in the air, to take stock, to let go, and to step forward into something new. It may be a new hobby, a new address, even a new job, or volunteer opportunity. The change of seasons, especially going into autumn, feels like it’s time for a fresh start. Those of us, over 55, are in a season of life that asks us to pause and reflect on our current circumstances. We dance around the question: what do I truly want and need at this stage of life? It’s a time for mindset adjustment because for years we may have been professionals, partners, caretakers, and providers. And while we appreciate the value of those roles, many of us wonder what’s next? It’s a great question and the answer starts with us giving ourselves permission to be curious about what could be next.
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” – philosopher Elbert Hubbard
Living fully in our later years isn’t about winding down. It’s about gaining clarity about what makes us feel fully alive, about what and who nourishes us and about what we’re ready to let go of. In the process of refining what’s important to us, we can easily feel overwhelmed because there are so many choices to make, and we fear getting something wrong.
Let’s start with what we can get right. Research within yourself what will make you feel good. Do you crave solitude or connection? Maybe both? Do you want convenience and the comfort of community? Do you want to stay where you are or step into a space that reflects who you are becoming? At Wellings we’ve seen repeatedly the gentle joy that arises in people who gave themselves the fresh start they didn’t know they needed.
It’s not so much about downsizing although that’s part of the process, it’s more about right-sizing your space, your life and your energy. That’s the freedom that awaits at Wellings. If you’re not sure what to expect, let me tell you. You’ll find both solitude and social connection: your choice and as much of it as you want as well as the convenience and power of community. You’ll easily make new friends because there’s something magical that happens when you feel safe enough to be vulnerable. Sharing a difficult time with people who are at the same stage of life becomes easier and their sage advice can feel affirming, like a warm blanket in a time of need. Realizing you aren’t alone and don’t have to figure everything out on your own is both comforting and empowering. You have a community, a new friend group that has more than likely been through what you are going through. You’re surrounded by supportive, nurturing people, who all share a common goal of wanting to own their choices and remain independent, without having to explain themselves. They just get it.
“You can either waltz boldly onto the stage of life and live the way you know your spirit is nudging you to, or you can sit quietly by the wall, receding into the shadows of fear and self-doubt.” – Oprah Winfrey
We humans underestimate the importance of belonging in our later years. Perhaps that’s because we take it for granted in our early years when we’re working full time or we’re immersed in raising our family. It’s when we’re no longer part of those groups that we can feel left out or unseen. In my opinion what sets Wellings apart is the importance placed on belonging. While there’s a deep respect for independence, there’s also an open invitation to connect over coffee, trivia, conversation, movement or meals shared with neighbours who can easily become new friends. When we feel seen and valued in our community, something in us softens. We can exhale, relax, and be more open. We can laugh more, and we can live more.
“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.”
–Wayne W. Dyer
It’s in this new chapter, possibility expands, and new purpose can emerge. It’s not about pressuring ourselves to live a life of meaning, it’s more quiet and subtle than that. It’s about starting the day with gratitude, offering kindness to a neighbour, giving someone a compliment, making someone smile or learning something new just for the fun of it. Living with purpose at this stage is about being awake to life, choosing to keep growing and evolving while honouring where we’ve been.
If you’re at a crossroads wondering about your next right step, start by listening to yourself. There’s a wise voice inside each of us looking for ease, independence, connection and inspiration. Following our own inner compass, we can create a next chapter that’s fun and fulfilling like a well-chosen adventure with a dash of wonder, a splash of wisdom, and a touch of mischief.