Calling in retirement
RESEARCH BRIEF
Connecting with one’s purpose in life has many dimensions: reclaiming a sense of identity; knowing what really matters; reframing values-informed duties; identifying one’s callings. While there is no agreed-upon definition of the word “calling,” most scholars use the term in the context of career or vocation such as being called to the ministry or medicine (Duffy et al., 2017). For the record, I don’t buy that the experience of calling is limited to career choice and, by extension, to just a few people. My experience of calling is better aligned with that of Yaden and Newberg (2015) who describe it as being pulled toward pursuing something that may be accompanied by an epiphany, inspiration, or “aha moment.” I think we all get callings or beckonings – the issue is whether we notice them or have the gumption to take action.
Research question: Do people feel a sense of calling in retirement and if so, to what?
How researchers studied this question: Duffy and colleagues (2017) recruited 196 people who were at least 51 years old and had been retired for at least one year (mean age 69 years old; 49% men, 51% women). Most of the participants were White and well-educated (44.4% completed graduate or professional school; 24.5% had an undergraduate degree). Participants answered open-ended questions regarding whether or not they felt a calling in retirement and if so, to what. People who felt a calling but could not live it explained why not. They also completed standardized questionnaires related to calling and well-being.
Answer: Yes. Most people (156, 78.8%) reportedly experienced a new calling in retirement. Of the 102 participants that described their new calling, most (40, 39.4%) had a calling related to helping others in the community; personal development and relaxation (12 responses, 11.8%); or family caretaking such as caring for grandchildren (11 responses, 10.8%). The most common explanations for why 42 participants (27%) felt they could not live their calling pertained to lack of resources (time or money), being old or unwell, or still searching for purpose and a sense of identity. Overall, there were significant positive correlations between endorsing a sense of calling and meaning in life and life satisfaction. We must interpret the findings with caution. Participants were very well-educated and their experiences may not be representative of most retirees. Further, participants were asked “if you feel you currently have a calling, describe that calling” (that is, one). I honestly have never had just one, singular calling and so I find that question a bit suspect.
So What? This study suggests that most people experience a new calling in retirement and that’s good news. However, the challenge for me is to claim the summons as important or legitimate and then find the gumption to step towards it. Regardless of my age. As with purpose in life, we start by noticing and naming what calls us or beckons but then take on the challenge of routinely acting as if. Let’s invest in both.
How about you? Consider taking note of what inspires or beckons you. Raise your butterfly net and catch a few of these musings. And then take baby steps towards at least one. Let’s see what happens.
Sources:
Duffy RD, Torrey CL, England J, & Tebbe EA (2017). Calling in retirement: A mixed methods study. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12(4), 399-413. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1187201
Find the abstract here: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-09300-008
Yaden DB, Newberg AB (2015). Road to Damascus Moments. In DB Yaden, TD McCall, JH Ellens (Eds.), Being Called: Scientific, Secular, and Sacred Perspectives (pp. 27-46). Praeger, Santa Barbara, CA.