Retire to Something, Not Just from Something
In the traditional narrative of retirement, we think of it as an escape from a job, from deadlines, from the routines that have defined us for decades. Yet, too many people find themselves lost once they finally retire, realizing that they may have retired from something, but not to something. Retirement ends up being an empty room rather than an open door.
The Risk of “Retiring from”
But what if we approached retirement differently? Not as a withdrawal from the world, but as a gateway to new, fulfilling experiences.
When we consider retirement as being “from” something, we focus on the freedom we get by leaving behind things we’re tired of — stress, difficult projects, demanding schedules, etc. However, if we don’t know what we want to do with that freedom, retirement will feel like a vacuum. This is why many retirees find themselves unprepared for the emptiness of days without direction, structure, or purpose.
When we focus solely on what we’re escaping, we’re more likely to experience post-retirement depression, disorientation, or a sense of loss. Research shows that retirees who did not cultivated new goals, interests, or connections often struggle with their mental health. This phase, which we hope will be joyful and liberating, can turn into a search for relevance and meaning if we lack a “why” for our retirement years.
