After years of focusing on work and responsibilities, I reached a point where I knew I needed a change. I wasn’t looking to retire, but I felt it was time to choose a life of purpose. I wanted to focus on what truly mattered to me—health, happiness, and exploring new opportunities. This decision wasn’t easy, but it was the start of reshaping my life to live with more meaning and fulfillment.
In this post, I’ll share how I made the choice to embrace a new chapter and what that journey has taught me.
Embracing Change After Early Retirement
Before the pandemic, my second husband and I started talking about what we wanted in the next phase of our lives. He was ready to retire and hoped I would join him. We dreamed of traveling the world and finding a place to settle, even considering joining the Peace Corps together. With these exciting plans, I closed my business and embraced the idea of early retirement.
Then the pandemic struck, putting a stop to our travel plans and, sadly, our relationship. After we parted ways, I took some time to think about what I wanted next. With my business closed and my daughters off to college, I chose to return to work, wanting to focus on finding a new purpose and direction in my life.
Finding Purpose in Life
When my sister, a dentist, asked for help with organizing and restructuring her practice, I was happy to step in and spent nearly two years assisting her. While the work was rewarding, I began to feel the urge to pursue something else. After some reflection, I decided it was time to leave and explore new opportunities.
I then took a well-paying job at a law firm in an interesting role, working with people from all walks of life. However, the long commute started to wear on me, and I found myself longing for a life with more purpose.
After six months, I decided to leave the firm and take some time to figure out what I truly wanted. The lack of fulfillment in my work made it clear that I needed a change. After much thought, I made the difficult decision to reshape my life and pursue travel, ultimately choosing a life of purpose.
Choosing a Life That Matters
Choosing a different life was important to me because I wanted to live in a way that truly mattered. I reached a point where I realized life is more than just going through the motions. I wanted to follow my passions, appreciate the little things, and make choices that aligned with my values.
Living with purpose means doing what makes me happy, even if it’s not the typical path. I wanted to travel, explore new places, and enjoy life without waiting for some future time when I could finally retire. I also wanted to focus on my health, my relationships, and my personal growth. By choosing a life of purpose, I’m embracing what makes me feel fulfilled, and that’s more important to me than anything else.
How I Chose a Life of Purpose
To change my life, I took a step back to reflect on what truly mattered to me. I shifted my focus away from just work and started thinking about what would bring me happiness and fulfillment. I realized I wanted to travel and explore the world, so I made the decision to downsize and adjust my lifestyle to make that dream a reality.
Living with purpose meant letting go of things that didn’t bring me joy and focusing on what I truly wanted. I embraced the idea of traveling on a budget, finding new ways to live well without the pressure of a traditional lifestyle. By choosing this path, I could spend more time doing what made me feel alive and excited for the future. It wasn’t easy, but it was the kind of life I wanted—one with more meaning and purpose.
Finding Freedom
For most of my life, I lived by other people’s standards. I followed what was expected of me, focusing on work, responsibilities, and what others thought was important. But once I made the choice to live with purpose, I felt a huge sense of relief.
Letting go of those expectations and focusing on what made me happy was liberating. I no longer had to follow a path that wasn’t mine. I could finally pursue what I truly wanted, whether it was traveling, exploring new places, or just living life on my own terms.
Choosing a life of purpose gave me the freedom to be myself and embrace the things that brought me joy. It felt like a weight had been lifted, and I was finally free to live for myself.
Embracing Freedom and Growth
Living with purpose has opened up new opportunities for me and allowed me to grow in ways I hadn’t imagined. It’s not about following a set plan, but about embracing the freedom to make choices that feel rights. By stepping away from the expectations of others, I’ve found a deeper sense of joy and satisfaction. The journey is ongoing, and each step brings me closer to living the life I’ve always wanted.
Be sure to check out my other posts where I share how I simplified my life and found more meaning.
