“Of course, I’m looking forward to retirement,” Sally said, her hands fidgeting in her lap. “But there’s this pit in my stomach that won’t go away. Here I am, turning 65 next month, leaving the career I’ve had my whole life, and I’m terrified of losing my purpose. Then I tell myself I’m being silly — this is what I’ve worked for, right? I shouldn’t feel this way.”

She is not alone in this. Throughout life, we come in and out of contact with a solid sense of purpose. For some, this is found more in relationships and creativity. For others, achievement, work, contribution, and impact fulfill this need. Sometimes it’s travel and new experiences that give us a sense of purpose. The times we are clear about what helps our lives feel purposeful can feel exciting, driven, clear and meaningful.

See Full Page