Hey there, Reader!

Have you ever felt a spark of excitement about doing something new…but then it just sort of fizzles out? You think, “I’ll get to that later,” but later never turns into now.

That’s the thing about sparks. They’re full of potential—but without a place to land, they disappear before they catch fire.

We tend to think freedom is what we need most in retirement. And yes, having open space in your day can feel amazing—at first. But sometimes, too much open space makes it hard to actually start anything.

That’s why structure—even just a little—can be such a gift.

Larissa reminded me of this the other day. She’s been wanting to get back into her art projects. She loves making all sorts of things—painted rocks, handmade journals, little creative gifts—but she’s been struggling to get going again.

So she gave herself a deadline. She signed up for a booth at a local art fair. Six weeks. No turning back. Game on!

And just like that—she’s back in the studio, paintbrush in hand, ideas flowing.

I did something similar not long ago with my creative writing. I couldn’t seem to motivate myself to sit down and start, so I jumped on an opportunity to invest in a new film company started by director Robert Rodriguez.

As part of the investment, I got the chance to pitch him a movie idea. That meant coming up with a logline, creating a cast of characters, and recording a short video pitch.

And wouldn’t you know it—just like that, the stories started flowing.

Why?

Because turning up the heat just a little gives that spark an environment for growth when it lands.

Remember the pressure of a looming deadline your boss gave you when you were still working? Those deadlines were never fun, but I’ll bet most of the time you hit them—because the heat was on.

Now, in retirement, we don’t need that kind of stress. But we can borrow the concept and make it work for us.

That’s what a schedule can do. It doesn’t have to be rigid or overwhelming. It just gives your time—and your energy—a little shape.

If your days feel a little loose right now, that’s okay. But if you’re craving some momentum, here are two things that might help:

👉 Schedule Your Time in Retirement
​ Gentle ideas for bringing rhythm to your days—without turning them into a to-do list.

👉 Try our Hobby Finder Tool
​ If you’re still figuring out what lights you up, this quick (and fun) tool might surprise you.

Warmly,

P.S. Got a spark you’re chasing—or something new you’ve added to your calendar? Hit reply. We’d love to hear how you’re shaping your days.

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