Sarah thought she had it all figured out. After many years as a high school principal, she’d saved diligently, planned meticulously, and dreamed of sleeping in, gardening, some travel and finally reading those books gathering dust on her shelf. Three months into retirement, she was miserable.

The garden felt like work, the books remained unread, and the sleeping in felt more like giving up than luxury. Like 90% of retirees, Sarah had planned for everything except the most crucial element: her sense of purpose.

This isn’t a story about money or health insurance or estate planning—topics that dominate most retirement conversations. This is about something far more fundamental that most people completely overlook until it’s almost too late.

 It’s about the invisible thread that gives our days meaning, that gets us out of bed with enthusiasm, and that makes the difference between thriving in our later years or simply surviving them.

The great retirement blindspot

We live in a culture obsessed with the mechanics of retirement but oblivious to its psychology. Financial advisors help us calculate how much we need to save. Doctors advise us on maintaining our health. But who helps us figure out what we’ll actually do with those 20-30 extra years we’ve gained?

The statistics are sobering. Research shows that within six months of retirement, many people experience what psychologists call “retirement syndrome”—a combination of depression, anxiety, and loss of identity that strikes when the structure and purpose of work suddenly disappear. It’s not just about missing the paycheck; it’s about missing the sense of being needed, of contributing, of having a reason to exist.

Victor Frankl, the Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, captured this beautifully: “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how.'” His words, born from the depths of human suffering, apply just as powerfully to the challenge of retirement. Without a why—a sense of purpose—even the most comfortable retirement can feel like a prison of endless empty days.

The growing and giving formula

American expert Richard Leider, who has spent decades studying life’s purpose, offers a deceptively simple formula for a meaningful retirement. He boils it down to just two words: “Growing and giving.” That’s it. That’s what purpose is. And it doesn’t stop at 60 or 65.

Think about it. Throughout your career, you were constantly growing—learning new skills, taking on challenges, evolving professionally. You were also giving—contributing your talents, sharing your knowledge, making a difference in your organization. Retirement doesn’t have to end this cycle; it can transform it.

The beauty of Leider’s formula lies in its flexibility. Growing doesn’t mean you need to pursue another degree (though you could). It could mean learning to play piano, mastering a new language, or understanding permaculture gardening. Giving doesn’t require founding a nonprofit (though that’s an option). It could be mentoring young professionals, teaching literacy at the local library, or helping elderly neighbors with technology.

Why purpose matters more than you think

The research on purposeful aging is compelling. Studies from Stanford’s Center on Longevity show that people with a strong sense of purpose not only live longer but live better.

They have stronger immune systems and lower rates of chronic disease, more satisfying relationships and social connections and higher levels of life satisfaction.

Purpose acts like a biological shield, protecting both body and mind from the effects of aging. When you have something meaningful to contribute, your brain stays sharper, your body stays stronger, and your spirit stays alive.

Discovering your unique purpose

Purpose isn’t one-size-fits-all. What energizes one person might drain another. The key is honest self-reflection about what truly matters to you. Ask yourself:

What activities make you lose track of time? When do you feel most alive and engaged? What problems in the world genuinely upset you enough that you’d want to help solve them? What skills do you have that others could benefit from? What would you regret not trying if you had the time?

Remember, purpose doesn’t have to be earth-shaking. It just has to be earth-moving for you. Teaching your grandchildren to bake your grandmother’s recipes is as valid as starting a social enterprise. Building birdhouses for a local nature center carries as much meaning as writing the novel you’ve always wanted to write. The measure isn’t scale; it’s significance to you.

Making the transition

When you do step into retirement with purpose already in motion, the transition becomes transformation rather than trauma. You’re not leaving; you’re graduating to something you’ve been building toward. Your days have structure and meaning. Your identity remains intact while expanding into new dimensions.

This purposeful retirement doesn’t happen by accident. It requires planning, just like financial planning but for the soul instead of the bank account. Start conversations with your partner about shared post-career dreams. Begin volunteering in areas that interest you. Take that pottery class. Join that hiking group. Start writing that blog. The earlier you begin, the more natural the transition feels.

The goal isn’t to recreate your working life in retirement but to create something even better—a life where you have the freedom to pursue what matters most, unburdened by the financial pressures and career climbing that may have constrained your choices for decades.

Your purpose-driven future

The difference between a fulfilling retirement and a frustrating one often comes down to a single factor: having a reason to get up in the morning that goes beyond personal comfort and entertainment. Purpose provides that reason, that spark, that sense of forward momentum that makes each day feel valuable.

Don’t be among the 90% who wake up in retirement wondering what happened to their sense of purpose. Start building yours today. Remember Richard Leider’s wisdom: keep growing and giving. Find ways to expand your mind and contribute your gifts. Your future self—the one who will wake up energized and excited about the possibilities each new day holds—will thank you for starting now.

Your retirement years don’t have to be a postscript to your real life. With purpose as your guide, they can be the richest chapters yet, filled with growth, contribution, and the deep satisfaction that comes from a life well-lived.

The only question is: what are you waiting for?