“What’s the end goal?” was a thought that popped into my head not long ago. Like many women at my stage of life, I’ve been feeling a bit lost and aimless, and yet all too aware that the days ahead of me are getting fewer and fewer.
But that’s all relative, right? I’m in good health, and if genetics is any indication, then it’s reasonable that I’ll be around for another 25-30 years. Time may feel like it’s speedy by oh so rapidly, but there are still a whole lot of days left to enjoy. Perhaps, it’s simply a matter of perspective and setting new end goals.
The end goals of a 5 or 10 or even 20-year plan are far different for me than they were in the past. Many/most of those shorter-term goals have been achieved. The basic ones included completing my education, a job with security, a life partner, children, buying a house. The pursuit of these goals often overlapped and most of them had an end goal or measure of completion; college degree, retirement, marriage, being called mom, a mortgage.
Retirement was a significant end goal to achieve. I was fortunate enough to have worked for the same employer for over 35 years and to have had a job that challenged me to the end. Even so, I’d always envisioned a time when I would no longer have to work. A time no longer bound to an alarm clock and responding to the needs of others. Retirement has been everything that I’d hoped for and more (except for that pesky pandemic).
Back on my pondering of “what’s the end goal?”, it was in a moment of self-reflection that I came to the realization that I no longer seemed to have one. And it was because I no longer had a vision of what I was striving to achieve, I was left with that lost and aimless feeling. Now I understood all of those marketing campaigns targeting 50+ women with programs for rediscovery and reinventing oneself. I’m not looking to rediscovery or reinvent myself nor have I developed one of those types of programs to try to sell you. My purpose is to make connections, to share and invite discussion, and on occasion, to inspire.
Asking myself that simple question, “what is the end goal”?, led to me think about how I wanted to feel as I looked back on my life between now and when the inevitable happens. The goals I’d already accomplished would still be there but there are new ones I could still achieve, right? I certainly have many short-term goals but it was the end goals that had remained elusive. And what did I want them to be?
It may seem a little corny to say that I feel like a bit of cloud has lifted and that a new spark has been ignited within me. I don’t have it all figured out yet except for this. I want to be able to look back and know that my life was one that had been impactful and well-lived.
How does my outfit in these photos related to the topic of “end goals”? To that point, I’ve been giving a lot of consideration to the evolution of my style and the clothes that I buy. Is it realistic to have a sartorial end goal or should we instead view our wardrobes as living, breathing creatures that we are to love and nurture?
As for today’s outfit, in last month’s 3 Easy No-Fail Looks I’m Wearing On Repeat This Winter post, I wrote about the formula I’d followed to create those looks. In that post, I wrote that it had occurred to me that I had the makings of a mini-capsule. I stated that I would be putting that theory to a test as I planned out three more looks using just those pieces, each to be featured in upcoming posts.
The look in this post is the final one of those three. The other two were shown in Editorial Planning and Let’s Normalize Basic. In today’s ensemble, I’ve matched up the sweater from Outfit 1 and the jeans from Outfit 3 with the jacket from Outfit 2 (see original looks below). The boots are also from Outfit 2 as is the necklace.
Let’s Wrap This Up
Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. Today’s featured post from the last link-up, Seyran Look Alike Outfit | Navy Skirt And Rust Jacket, was added by Jennifer over at Curated By Jennifer. Along with sharing her amazing sense of style, Jennifer’s mission is to educate and inspire others about sustainable fashion and healthy living.
How often do you think about your end goals? Which ones have you achieved and which are you still striving towards? What strategies have brought you success in achieving them?
Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.
Photo credit: MMPerez
22 Comments
I’m really liking how you are mixing up these items for your mini capsule! Great layering!
Rena, I do wish you and I were neighbors. I retired early (almost 11 years ago) and have regretted it almost every day. I retired for a couple of reasons…one being the toxicity of the environment; the other was upcoming changes to teacher pensions in Indiana. I have struggled for the last several years with my purpose. Your post resonates so deeply with me…the end goals! It just makes so much sense. I have no end goal in sight. I started blogging as a way of learning something new (I’ve learned a lot), but I don’t know that it’s hitting the spot for me. I compare myself to bloggers who are more successful in that they have all these gigs making money. But, that’s not why I blog (though if someone wanted to gift me a living room makeover, I’m here for it). I’m a little minnow in a really big pond…and, for the most part, that’s ok with me. But, as far as a purpose, does a blog cut it? Not really. I, like you, want to know I mattered. And, I know I mattered to lots of kids in the moment. But, did I make a difference in not only their lives but in the world as they impact it? Oh, you and I could have such wonderful conversations, I’m sure! Thanks for the link party, too!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Oh boy, that’s a heavy subject for me. As a person with a serious illness the end goals are something I don’t even want to think about. Also I had to stop working way to early for my liking. So I just try to see every new day as a gift!
I don’t have an end goal as such, but I set some annual goals which include going to an art event/gallery once a month, doing a certain number of walks with a group, self care. All small things but part of a bigger goal of wanting to live my best life while I’m able to. Plus it encourages me to put things in the calendar and have a busy life, which I like.
It’s nice to see how you are mixing up these capsule pieces! I like those boots with the jeans 🙂
Good luck with your new goal setting! I’m more of a take each day as it comes person, I’m very content where I am at the moment, work wise and family-wise so I’ll just enjoy what life has to bring 🙂
Thank you for the link up!
I like you have been thinking about end goals, though I have not called it that. My parents are in their 80s and their health has really declined in the last few years.They have no quality of life and my mum is very depressed. My dad has dementia. I do not want to end up like that. I try to take each day at a time and count my blessings. And try to stay healthy. I want to do a lot more travelling before I am too old to do it. x
I don’t have one, just work with what I have and what I’m doing at the time. Just want to enjoy it as much as I can. X jacqui
Lots to think about here Rena. Sometimes I feel like the last 25 years have gone by in a snap and when I think that I may only love another 25 it seems like that’s just not enough time. I guess I don’t let myself go there too often but I am a firm believer in always having an end goal.
Thanks for writing thought provoking posts!
xo,
Kellyann
I really like today’s outfit! I can see how setting another end goal would help with mini goals set in between to keep moving forward. I’m not one to set a lot of goals but I do like to keep busy and try new things so my goals are usually a broader “say yes”, “make the most of every day” kind of thing.
I love that you have come to the realization that you goal is to connect with others. How I express myself creatively is one I am starting to focus on in midlife. Love this casual look and how you created it with your wardrobe staples. Thanks for the link up!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
I love this classic look of jeans, top and blazer. Sometimes I like to have really fun with my outfits, other days, something simple is perfect. As all of my children are in school, I have had to think a little more about my goals but right now it is still mothering. However, I do need to think of my goals for me.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I don’t think about my personal goals often enough. I still have the same end goals and am looking forward to retirement one day but there’s still a lot I want to accomplish before that. Love how you are restyling these capsule pieces!
Jill – Doused in Pink
You’ve asked a good question for those of us who are retired. Like Nancy, even though my illness isn’t as dire, I spend a lot of time managing it. Consequently, I find meaning in the here and now – doting on my husband (he dotes on me too), supporting my mom who lives with us in her old age, creating, and helping others where I can (this is usually monetary donations and donating quilts to women’s shelters, etc). I can’t make a huge impact, but I do what I can. I know this isn’t the same as goals. But illness pretty much take away your ability to plan, which is required to achieve goals. But many women do achieve great things after retirement, and it’s an important discussion to have.
Great post Rena!
Michelle
https://funkyfashionstyle.com
Deep thoughts. I’ve had similar thoughts. Perhaps this is what happens when you reach the stage of life where you thought all of your end goals are achieved but yet there’s still more living to do. I think it’s normal. Love the boots; I have the same pair in beige.
Although I’m not near retirement age yet I do think about what I’d like to achievement over the next 10-20 years. I’m not sure exactly what that is yet but I do know I want to make it as fulfilling and fun as possible!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
WOW this is a really deep subject, Rena! Similar thoughts have crossed my mind in the past but I must admit to not having given it much thought lately. Perhaps that’s because we’ve started building our house so at the moment our end goal is all about moving in lol! Brilliant posit though, and I love your outfit. Those boots are fab!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
I really like how you are combining a few different things to make a mini capsule wardrobe! Excellent use of layers!
http://www.melodyjacob.com
These days we are living in and enjoying each day now that all our end goals have been achieved. Thinking about the future is very different after retirement than before. I just got finished telling my son that when we decide we want to do something or achieve a goal, like travel to a place we always dreamed about seeing, we have to just do it. We can’t say “in ten years” anymore. But it’s all good and we love our life right now!
I’m an “older” lady (72), retired after a long career. Your observations and reflections resonate with me. I think the realization that the end of life is approaching really hit me after my mother died in 2016. My dad lived to age 84, and my mom lived to age 97 — so I had them for a long time. But, when both parents are gone, you realize that your own life will not go on forever. As for an end goal, I don’t think I have one. I’m still watching my life unfold and looking forward to what lies ahead. Thank you for sharing this post in the Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 55.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
Layering is always a great idea. And mixing styles works well to especially here in your selection. I think people focus to much on things to wear they try to achieve more than they are capable of. I think if people just stop, take it easy, rest more, and enjoy life then they will be a lot better off in the long run. https://www.bauchlefashion.com/2023/03/controversy-surrounding-discontinuing.html
Such a heavy and interesting topic. I was once told that end goal is when we pass from this Earth. I don’t really know.
Oh very good style darling