We’ve all heard the classic question: “What would you do if you won a million dollars?” It’s a fun daydream, but let’s be honest, most of us know that’s a pretty unlikely scenario, so we don’t really think deeply and give very surface level answers. Instead, let’s talk about something that’s actually going to happen to most of us: retirement.

Thinking about retirement is a lot more grounded than fantasizing about sudden riches. Pretty much everyone retires at some point, and many of us are saving (or at least planning) for that phase of life. Even if it’s not something you’ve thought about in detail, it’s a realistic scenario. And the beauty of asking yourself what you’d like to do in retirement is that it can help you figure out what you truly want to do with your life right now.

When I started thinking about what I’d want to do after I retire, it hit me: I’d love to spend my days doing something I truly enjoy. For me, that’s photography, specifically easygoing portrait and maybe some commercial work. And since I love spending time in the water, the idea of combining photography with my love of the pool and underwater world just made perfect sense.

Here’s the kicker: once I realized that this is how I’d love to spend my retirement, I thought, “Why not start now?” Life is busy, I’ve got kids, family responsibilities, a mortgage, and a full-time job. But starting my photography side hustle now gives me a taste of what retirement could look like. It’s not just a dream for “someday”, it’s something I’m building towards right now.

So, if you’re wondering what you want to do with your life, try asking yourself what you’d love to do when you retire. And then maybe, start weaving a bit of that into your life today. For me, it’s photography. For you, it might be something else entirely. But it’s a question worth asking yourself because life’s too short to wait until you’re 65 to do what you love.