Ask America’s ultimate experts

Ask America’s Ultimate Experts “Help! “ Help! I’ve lost I’ve lost my sense of my sense of purpose!” purpose ! ”

If you’re feeling a bit unmoored, you’re not alone—in a new survey, 70% of folks over 50 said they don’t feel a sense of purpose. Here, easy ways rediscover your path Press ‘ reset’

Give yourself permission It may seem hard to define, but “purpose” simply means having a goal or intention that’s meaningful to you—and rediscovering yours is shown to make you happier and even boost your health. “It can be challenging, especially as we get older and kids leave the nest or we retire, to find our own purpose beyond being a mother or beyond being a mother or co-worker,” says expert co-worker,” says expert Meg Selig. “That’s why it’s so important to give yourself permission to say, ‘Now it’s time for me.’ Letting yourself explore your Letting yourself explore your ‘encore purpose’ is the first step in starting a new chapter.”

Turn off ‘busy brain’ Opening to our true sense of purpose is something we must do intentionally, says expert Joyce Meyer, who advises spending time in prayer or taking a short walk in nature each day. These quiet moments, she says, invite introspection and clarity, plus calm our noisy mind so it’s easier to listen to the “heart cues” that direct us toward our higher purpose.

Savor the past Savor the past “As we age, our past becomes a “As we age, our past becomes a treasure chest of clues upon treasure chest of clues upon which to build a forwardwhich to build a forwardlooking purpose,” says looking purpose,” says expert William Damon, expert William Damon,

Ph.D. Look back on your accomplishments, as well as your regrets, and what you as your regrets, and what you learned, he urges. “Thinking positively about the past is the path to purpose because it helps us build new visions of what’s possible based on a greater understanding of ourselves.”

Find your spark

Expand small joys “Most of us think we need to have some grand project, but there are small purposes that have huge impacts,” says Selig. Simply focus on the moments that might be clues to something bigger. “For example, if a tiny act of kindness, like smiling at a stranger, lifts you up all day, it may be a clue that volunteering might be a bigger way to f ill you up. Sometimes it’s the most overlooked joys that lead us to our greatest purpose.”

Pick your story Reading anything, from holy books to works of fiction, tends to make us feel more purposeful, studies show. “I personally love biographies,” reveals Selig. “A sense of purpose is built on knowing who you are, and when we read about people overcoming the odds, we ask ourselves: ‘How can I conquer challenges?’ Reminding ourselves of our resilience keeps us motivated.”

Let it transport you In the end, purpose is so powerful because it transcends the self, observes Damon, who says simply exploring your talents can help you feel more connected to something bigger. “Getting lost in a hobby boosts creative ‘f low,’ when we’re so engrossed in what we’re doing that we lose sense of time.” Indeed, he promises anything that moves you to feel awe, be it admiring your grandchild’s artwork or gazing at the falling snow, helps you see just how connected you are to the larger world, reigniting purpose.

Meg Selig, author of Silver Sparks: Thoughts on Growing Older, Wiser, and Happier, writes the popular Changepower blog at PsychologyToday.com.

Our exper t panel

Joyce Meyer is one of the world’s leading practical Bible teachers and the author of more than 100 books, including, Authentically, Uniquely You. William Damon, Ph.D., author of The Path to Purpose and A Round of Golf with My Father, is a leading researcher on the development of purpose.