Congratulations. You followed the script. You worked hard. You saved diligently. You skipped the vacations, ignored the dance classes, shelved your dreams and hobbies. You sacrificed now for later because everyone said that “later” was where freedom lived.
And now? You're 60-something. Retired. Or almost. And you're wondering why it all feels like empty bullshit.
Retirement was never designed to be a reward. It was a human resources strategy — a way to offload aging workers without a riot. The age of 65 was picked because most people are already dead by 62. Think about that for a second.
But the system knew you wouldn’t dig too deep. So they wrapped it in gold. “Work hard now, enjoy later,” they said. “Sacrifice for the future,” and they nodded wisely.
And you believed them. We all did. An now we’re here. Our knees hurt. We forget why we walked into the room. And that beach house on the retirement add? It's a rental. On Airbnb. For a week. In January.
Retirement sounded like freedom, but it feels a little like exile. You spent decades building someone else’s dream while yours quietly died. And now that you’re “free”? You don’t even remember what you wanted.
Here’s a brutal little fact no one wants to say out loud: You need purpose. Not golf. Not endless cruises. Not reorganizing your sock drawer 14 times a month.
You weren’t just a job title. But you were taught to believe you were. So now, when that title’s gone, when no one needs you to log on, report in, or show up — you feel like you’re disappearing. It’s not just sad. You didn’t just lose a job. You lost identity, routine, recognition, community—and maybe your sense of mattering.
And they call this “the golden years”? But it is more like bronzed bullshit. The World Has Changed. The Retirement Story Hasn't. The retirement narrative was built for a world where one job lasted a lifetime. That job paid you enough to live, save, and retire. You got a pension, a handshake, and a gold watch. That world? Dead. Buried. Decomposed.
Now we’ve got crippling healthcare costs. Investment portfolios that collapse faster than your lower back. And “freedom” that costs more than most can afford. You're expected to live 20-30 years after retirement... but with what? Savings? It’s a glorified roulette table. Social Security? Fingers crossed it’s still there. Pensions? LOL.
You weren’t promised a future. You were sold one. A cleverly packaged illusion that let companies squeeze every drop of labor from you while dangling a someday carrot in front of your nose. “Keep going.”, “Be responsible.”, “Wait just a little longer.” Until... you can’t anymore.
You don’t know how to live because you were too busy waiting. So What Now? You could keep waiting, play cards. Watch daytime TV. Wait to die quietly. Or you could finally, finally, start doing the things you postponed for a lifetime.
No, this isn’t about quitting life this is about reclaiming your curiosity, your creativity, your presence. This is about choosing now instead of chasing someday. Write the book. Volunteer. Take the painting class. Start the podcast. Hug your kids longer. Start the damn garden.
You don’t need a job title to matter. You need something that makes you feel alive. You’re not too old. You’re not too late. You’re not done. This next chapter? Make it yours. Unapologetically, unreasonably, relentlessly yours.
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