Unfortunately, after the initial feeling of relief from a long commute, project deadlines, workplace politics, and other aspects of gainful employment, many retirees feel a loss of identity, meaning and purpose. Regardless of income level or position, our identity is connected to what we contribute to ourselves, families and the world through our jobs and careers. Feelings of emptiness, anxiety, social isolation and depression are far too common among retirees.

Retirement is when you get to decide how you spend your days, and that sounds great. But the reality is that many retirees waste years of valuable time with meaningless activity, trying to fit in where they don’t belong, with people they don’t particularly like, and feeling irrelevant. Just because you have the money, time and freedom to do what you want, doesn’t mean that you won’t be bored, lonely or unfulfilled.