The Future I Stopped Pretending Not to Want

Woman drawing at a desk in a home studio, with a faint, ghosted image of her younger self in the background.

I thought that, when I retired, stepping away from goals and schedules would bring peace. Instead, I discovered restlessness, distraction, and a loss of meaning. This week I reflect on how I found my way back in 2025—not to obligation, but to making, learning, and respecting my real nature.