Rediscovering Your Purpose in Retirement

My PhD Journey: Insights on Identity, Isolation, and Rediscovering Community After Work

Over the past three years, I have worked hard towards a PhD in Psychology. I have finally reached the dissertation stage. I have been researching the topic of the transition to retirement. Throughout my career, I have been saddened by watching those who have achieved retirement leaving the workforce with bitterness and depression.

Over the coming months, I will share some insights I have discovered during my research journey. Consistently, there is a sense of loss of identity among those I have interviewed and observed. So much of their lives have been tied to work that their whole identity relates to who they are at work. This is specifically true for those in senior leadership roles. Not only is their identity attached to their work, but so is their social identity. With more than 80% of their time spent with colleagues and peers, only minimal time has been spent with groups outside the workplace.

The participants in my research expressed the feeling of being isolated and alone. They grieve the relationships they thought were strong and important to them when they no longer exist after retirement. A consistent advice offered to those preparing for retirement is to intentionally connect with others outside of the workplace to establish new social networks.

There are many more observations to share over the coming months, including highlights on knowing when it is time to retire, understanding your purpose in life during retirement, and knowing who your people are in retirement.