It’s Never Too Late To Dream – Finding Purpose After 50

Do you ever feel like a robot going through life in a monotonous state of mind? You are not alone. Many people in their middle-age years look back onto their lives with either a feeling of fulfillment or nonfulfillment. If it feels like you’ve lived a life without a purpose, you might experience feelings of defeat and failure.

It’s never too late to find something that you are utterly passionate about. Leading a life where you have a noticeable purpose will make you feel more connected to those around you. If you lack purpose or passion, you will have a feeling of emptiness and seclusion.

What Is a Purpose in Life?

Purpose is directly linked with a passion. If you are passionate about something while applying that passion into your life, you will start feeling fulfilled. Your purpose is the answer to the question: “Why am I here?”

There are many variations of passion and purpose that differs from person to person. A novelist’s mission is to write engaging and life-changing stories. A nurse’s goal is to nurture and care for patients. An actor’s purpose is to entertain and convey a message.

The mistake most people make is to compare themselves with celebrities who dedicate their lives to their art.  A great example is Leonardo DiCaprio. This famous Hollywood actor has dedicated his whole life to creating groundbreaking films. Now he is using his A-level status to raise awareness of global warming. He is extremely passionate about the cause and has used this passion for fulfilling his purpose. However, not all of us are meant to be famous millionaires. Everyone can find meaning and fulfillment, and sometimes they come from seemingly small, ordinary activities.

How Do I Find My Passion?

If you didn’t have to worry about money or any other responsibilities, what would you do with your time? Would you create art? Would you build a school in a remote location for children in need of an education? Would you write articles about pressing issues in your community?

A purpose doesn’t need to be something that changes the world. It can take the form of something smaller too. Caring for your family or organizing charity events for the needy is just as important. Feeling like you have nothing to live for is a dangerous place to be in, so don’t intimidate yourself with dramatic goals.

Everyone has a purpose, and even if you haven’t found it yet, it’s not too late. Here are three things you can do to help you find your life’s purpose.

JUST DO IT

You won’t find your purpose by sitting on the couch. Jump into action and do something. Try activities you never tried before and engage in a variety of different projects. Find something that you genuinely enjoy and pursue that. Whether it’s cooking, exercising, taking photographs, or cutting hair – try it out. You never know if you like it unless you don’t try.

THINK LESS, FEEL MORE

A purpose is driven by passion. Let go of all the thinking and let your heart do the talking. We really are our own worst enemy. If it’s been your dream to travel the world, but the opportunity has never come your way. Make the opportunity to go and see the world. Stop telling yourself that it’s impossible and follow your heart’s desire in your life. Don’t let negative thoughts cloud your judgment – where there’s a will there’s a way.

YOU CAN HAVE MORE THAN ONE PURPOSE

It’s possible to have more than one purpose in life. In your earlier life, your purpose might have been to look after your children. Now that they are all grown up and can look after themselves, you can change your goal. Find another passion and pursue that. If you’ve fulfilled your new purpose, you can change it again.

It may be spotting every single bird species on the planet or teaching others how to cook traditional meals. The options are way open, and the opportunities are endless.

Whatever your life’s purpose is, the most crucial part is that you feel content with the way you are living. An excellent quote by Eleanor Roosevelt states, “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for a newer and richer experience.” 

No matter how old you are, you can still change the way you perceive life. Living a life where you are grateful and appreciative of everything around you is the only success that matters. Always seeking rich experiences and trying to make small changes along the way is enough to keep you motivated.