Not How Long, But How

Hi,

I recently came across a Wall Street Journal article.

It pointed out that more than 11,000 Americans turn 65 every day, and by 2030, one in five of us will be of traditional retirement age. But the article wasn’t really about age, or even retirement.

It was about mattering.

As people live longer, the authors suggested it may be time to shift the question from

“How long will I live?”
to
“How will I continue to matter while I do?”

That question lands differently once you’re past midlife.

For many people, it shows up quietly:

• a desire to stay useful
• a wish to remain engaged
• a need to keep contributing in ways that feel aligned
• a discomfort with being told you’re “done,” even if you’re not sure what’s next

What struck me most is that the answer doesn’t require reinvention.

For the people I work with, mattering often comes from continuing to apply what they already know; the skills built over decades in ways that still help others and still have value.

Not flashy.
Not performative.
Just a relevant, capable contribution.

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines — not unhappy, but not fully engaged either this might be a question worth sitting with:

How do I want to continue to matter in this next chapter?

Thrive Through Transition,

Jeanne