What do you do if you're struggling to find purpose and fulfillment in retirement?

I think this feeling is common to all those who retire after years of active professional life. Initially, everyone looks forward to life after retirement- lots of time in hand, can read, travel, socialise, pursue interests and hobbies etc. But very soon one runs out of this laundry list and then the struggle to do something worthwhile starts! Howsoever actively one may prepare oneself for retirement, this feeling of déjà vu to my mind is inevitable and this is based on my personal experience and experience gained from interactions with other retirees.

When I retired I knew I wanted to get away from people and the problems they would would drop off at my door. Now, I want all those problems and more. Wait?! What? Well, it is because I found out that my real purpose - what gets me out of bed in the morning - is to help navigate mayhem to clear a path so that others can be the best version of themselves. Helping others transverse their minutia does not mean it is my particular problems to carry. This took a while to figure out... I had to accept that I can't solve every problem, but I can help and leave a lasting positive impact that fills my cup.

I took an early break to look after responsibilities at home. .but a high educational qualification and 20 years of very active working life did not let me dissociate completely. So within 15 days started a YouTube channel to teach finance basics to children (100 + subscribers within 2 months and growing), took over looking after the expansive garden in our housing complex, got associated woth couple of social organizations....all this with a guilt free mother's mind as now I do have time to support kids too as and when required

Before getting retirement you should make your assets & multiple source of income when you are in young age so that you can explore the world on time & you will not be tensed about anything in your old age. And also you will be fully independent in your self you don't have to be depend on anyone for anything.

C'est le moment de repenser à tous ces rêves et projets un peu fou que vous avez mis de c?té avec les années ! Tout est possible : écrire le roman qui vous trotte dans la tête, enfin refaire votre salle de bain, vous créez cet espace lecture cocooning dont vous rêviez, faire ce voyage dont votre ami vous a tant parlé... Et ne prenez pas l'excuse de votre age ! Tous les projets sont encore possibles, ils nécessiteront juste quelques aménagements en temps de réalisation.

I retired at 58 and we moved from the UK to Spain. My aim was to slow down and enjoy life. Retirement is not about just stopping but making a direction change, a little like getting a new job. Financial planning is key and to most will be the most important. You have to remember that a pension fund will only last so long. For me we live easily on a third of the income I had in the UK. I draw, write short stories and play with my classic car,. We have friends (very important) and we go for walks and meet up a couple of times a week.

This is not necessarily my experience yet, but I would explore my hobbies and new activities to keep me busy and happy. Self-care for my mental, emotional & physical is necessary and would be at the top of that list. I would also look at possibly volunteering to support some of the needs in the community and donating items of clothing and toiletries for the less fortunate.

Retirement should be viewed as an opportunity to explore passion and hobbies with extreme zeal. This will make a person develop different dimensions of his/her personality and get true happiness. I retired from corporate world ( wall Street job) at age of 37. Now I am 52 year old. In 15 years I have become an independent successful investor, artist, cartoonist,actor, comedian,poet, spiritual seeker, health and wellness evangelist, artificial intelligence and brain science explorer. I am feeling as excited as a baby. People are going to live longer than ever. So retirement should be viewed as a new chapter in human life going forward. Thank you Arnab #retirement #health #wellness #wellbeing #joy #purpose #future #living

I retired 12 years ago. There are two things I dedicated myself to. Keeping my mind and body active. I am open to working again. But, I hold no illusions that the productive world is clamoring for an elderly Baby Boomer to rejoin them. Some have suggested volunteering to give back. Phooey on that. If I have to show up and work, then you better be paying me. If working for nothing is how some people want to find purpose, they are welcome to it. I will continue to alternate between visits to my health club and posting my views on Linkedin. Trust me, its no struggle at all. Life is good.

Need to get out and socialize. Find a breakfast or lunch group with similar interests. There you might find volunteer projects that might capture your attention.

This is number 1. Wasn’t an issue previously but all of a sudden things are changing. Without health the rest become secondary. Recognise and accept this fact and adapt your plan / strategy. It will lower the stress.

Regular and intentional activity of ANY kind is amazingly beneficial. It will make you feel better physically and emotionally. You don’t need to go crazy with CrossFit - any regular activity will be beneficial

Don't forget to schedule your activities, whether it's work or play. And, most importantly, set aside some time for regular exercise. Your body will thank you for it!

OK, this is a shameless plug for my new favorite activity. Pickleball. Shortly after I retired, I was doing light workouts at my local community center and I saw people playing this game I wasn’t familiar with. I finally went over and talked to one of the people waiting to play. He invited me to try the game and I enjoyed it. As it turned out, they had a beginner’s class which I joined and now I love it and play several times a week. You will get to know people and make new friends and do your body some good. Our group has people of all ages. Our youngest is in high school and we have a 92 year old who will give you the game of your life. He really is good. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the world. For good reason.

This is because everything is impermanent. Nothing lasts forever. By embracing impermanent and by understanding that everything is interconnected we can accept change and lead a more flexible and adaptable life.

One does need to be adjusting, adaptable and independent. Sometimes life tends to throw in a curved ball at you . Do not get overwhelmed by it but try adjusting and adapting to the changed circumstances. Keep yourself away from negative and pessimistic people.

Retirement is a journey, and sometimes the road takes unexpected turns. Here's how to stay balanced and fulfilled: Roll with the Punches: Life throws curveballs sometimes. Be flexible and adaptable - if your dream trip gets postponed, embrace a staycation adventure! Adjust Your Sails: Unexpected challenges may require tweaking your plans. Financial changes? Revisit your budget. Family needs? Be there for them. Lean on Your Crew: Don't face things alone! Talk to supportive friends, family, or even a therapist. Their guidance can be a lifesaver. Remember, a little flexibility goes a long way. By embracing change and adjusting as needed, you can ensure your retirement stays fulfilling and full of surprises!

Adaptations matters. Yeah adaptations matter in every state of live bt what if its against your dream or your passion ? Which means there is limit to adaption and that will push us into creating a perfect system that works for us. If you can't adapt , create a working fruitful system that elevates and magnifies your passion and field.

Set goals: Setting goals can give you a sense of purpose and direction. Think about what you want to achieve in your retirement years, whether it's learning a new skill, volunteering, traveling, or spending more time with loved ones.

One of the art galleries that represents my paintings wasn't selling much of my work, so I went to gather the remaining paintings today and learned that they just sold one yesterday. Painting fulfills my creative urges, and selling them makes it all worthwhile. And I get paid to do what I love.

Live has as much sense as you attach to it. The deep truth is that you have to do this yourself! When you got this sorted out you can live along the following rule: remember the past and think in future...but live today!

So true. The only time you experience and are able to shape is the very moment, the seconds and all time before have gone and can‘t be changed, only be remembered. So enjoy every moment, best with your loved ones, as future is still not existing and only an idea or a dream. Only the moment counts, so shape it right!

Read or listen to a book on ikigai! It is all about finding your own special reason to live and enjoy life and find your purpose!

If you have been in management, all of a sudden all the emails and phone contacts go a way and you can feel sort of like an "out-house in a fog". Get out of yourself and go out and do something. Hopefully creative - we are happiest when we are creating or helping others create (relationships, art, inventions, lifting and encouraging others, etc.).

At work or in retirement: A day where you don’t learn something new, is a day wasted. It can be big or small, it can be fun or serious, but it must be new. Try to make an end-of-day status - you might be surprised.

Explore new interests: Use this time to discover new hobbies or activities that you didn't have time for during your working years. Whether it's learning a new skill, pursuing a creative endeavor, or volunteering for a cause you care about, exploring new interests can bring a sense of fulfillment. Stay connected: Maintain social connections with friends, family, and community members. Join clubs, groups, or organizations that align with your interests or values. Social interaction can provide a sense of belonging and purpose. Set goals: Establish short-term and long-term goals to give yourself direction and motivation. These goals can be personal, professional, or related to hobbies and activities.