Missing Piece in Retirement: Purpose
So Hard to Find Direction on Your Own
From the get-go in capitalistic America, purpose is embedded. Kicking off in childcare centers, there are, of course, socialization and skill-instruction. The purpose is success in school and then in a career. Don’t hit Johnny with that truck. Might need him on your network.
Purpose-driven stays intact as long as you’re working for income. In BusinessInsider, Lorraine C. Ladish crows:
“My father is 87, and work continues to give him purpose.”
In contrast, with some rare exceptions, retirement blows up purpose. That sense of utter dislocation is depicted in the Tarot card’s Nine of Wands.
One woman came to me about her husband. She confided:
“His routine is trotting down to a coffee shop with the dog. Staying there too long. Then home, into the long abyss of the day.”
Having been previously successful in a career, he shunned unpaid volunteer work. The demands of being a lawyer prevented his developing hobbies. Obviously he was losing pieces of himself. At the top of the list was confidence.
Those kinds of obstacles to finding purpose on your own are typical in retirement. Actually they are so difficult that many give up. They tumble into a premature death.
What I recommend?
Well, it’s amazingly effective. That’s, like Ladish’s father does: get back to working for income. Most any kinds of work will do it.
The most opportunities which provide the most meaning are in healthcare. What about becoming certified as a relief aide for caregivers? Or driving the elderly to medical appointments? There’s also brief training for being a counselor for the addicted in recovery. No, you don’t have to yourelf be in recovery. Another option is to manage residential sober houses.
In addition to healthcare there are retail, fast food, security, driver (local and long-distance), adjunct professor and more.
Another option is starting a small business. Those 65 and older constitute the largest number of entrepreneurs. One distinct edge is this: Medical insurance is covered by Medicare and a supplement (free versions of the latter available). The lack of that kind of that kind of coverage is the greatest obstacle for younger generations. They are stuck working for the men in order to receive that benefit.
The structure can be the simple solopreneurship. No payroll. That means less pressure. Most only need $5,000 or less to get rolling. And the majority are profitable the first year.
One client dumpster-dives. Here are finds he earned 100 percent profit on since he advertised them free on Facebook Marketplace:
Another client gives guitar lessons.
A third has developed a brisk business walking dogs.
Am I being capitalistically one-dimensional suggesting only work as the path back to purpose? Well, I have explored another solutions.
Travel, it turns out, usually increases the loss of a self. One global wanderer lamented:
“It didn’t matter if we headed to Madrid, Spain or Florence, Italy. I couldn’t go on like that. I told my husband we had to get solid groud under us and build something. I’m thinking about a business screening and placing healthcare aides.”
Taking care of the grandchildren can harden into resentment.
Wellness doesn’t take all day.
Volunteering doesn’t produce the immense satisfaction of money coming in.
70? Even 80? With such abundant longevity there’s still time to experiment with purpose.