My husband is newly retired, and it is a whole new world for him.

Like many people, his life used to revolve around his job. Work determined when he got up, when appointments could be scheduled, and whether we could make plans on a Tuesday afternoon without first consulting three calendars and a committee.

Then, suddenly, that chapter ended.

Well, mostly ended. His former workplace still calls him in occasionally, so he is easing into retirement rather than diving in headfirst. Apparently, retirement sometimes comes with training wheels.

Still, he is beginning to face the questions many newly retired people encounter:

What will get me out of bed in the morning?

What will hold my interest?

What will make my days feel meaningful?

I can often recognize someone who has recently retired. There is a certain look in their eyes—a mixture of peaceful contentment and:

Oh my goodness. What am I supposed to do all day?

I recently met a newly retired man who’d taken up reading about wines and wineries – his new passion.

That sounded like a promising retirement plan. Educational, relaxing, and possibly served with cheese.

Finding a passion or renewed sense of purpose is worth thinking about whether you are retired, working, raising a family, or wondering what comes next.

For many of us, work becomes part of our identity. Even when it is not our greatest passion, it fills our time and gives our days a predictable rhythm. We may be so busy earning a living and caring for everyone else that we rarely ask ourselves what we truly enjoy.

Then life changes, and the question becomes:

What do I want to do with my time now?

I am fortunate to have several passions.

Exercise keeps me healthy, makes me feel strong, and gets me out of bed for early-morning workouts—even when my bed makes a very convincing argument.

Cooking has also become something I enjoy. I used to think I hated it. Looking back, I realize I hated reaching the end of a full day only to discover that everyone expected to eat again.

Every single night!

Now that I have more time, I enjoy trying new recipes. Some experiments are more successful than others, but that is why peanut butter exists.

Children have always been one of my greatest passions. Teaching gave me purpose for many years. When my teaching career ended, writing picture books took its place. I could still encourage children—without having to tie quite so many shoes.

I am not sure yet what my husband’s new interests will be. I did suggest that his purpose could be cleaning the garage.

After all, I have been asking him to do it for more than thirty years, and his usual excuse was that he didn’t have time.

Well.

That excuse has officially retired too.

But beyond my plans for the garage, I truly want him to find something that excites and fulfills him—and I know he will.

Meanwhile, we are enjoying things that once had to be squeezed around work schedules: weekday movies, live music, spontaneous outings, and planning trips. There is wonderful freedom in that.

Purpose doesn’t have to be one grand mission. It can be creating, learning, helping others, strengthening relationships, or exploring the pull toward something that has waited patiently in the background.

Sometimes it is simply being present, curious, connected, and open to what comes next.

So, what brings meaning to your life right now?

Whatever season you are in, choose to keep learning, laughing, connecting, and truly living.

And perhaps, somewhere along the way, somebody will finally clean the garage.

—Peni

P.S. In Piper’s Perfect Pick, Piper tries one sport after another before unexpectedly discovering her passion for boxing. Sometimes purpose isn’t the first thing we try—it’s the thing that makes us want to keep trying.