Martin describes his retirement as a seismic shift, struggling to find meaningful experiences after leaving work. He feels lost and questions his value without a structured job. This feeling of being lost is echoed by John, who also navigated a successful corporate career. Both men experience discomfort in the transition, facing an identity gap between their past roles and future possibilities. Psychological research suggests this gap can challenge self-concept, especially for those in knowledge-based professions reliant on cognitive contributions.
The transition from a life of structured achievement to one of open-ended possibility is profound. For those accustomed to influence and achievement, finding new meaning requires more than just financial planning.
Despite living on opposite sides of the globe and working in different industries and roles, Martin's experiences were echoed by John, who recently stepped away from corporate life and a highly successful leadership career.
For both men, the feeling of being lost has been unpleasant, unsettling and isolating. They have found themselves in between identities, neither fully in their previous life nor settled into the next chapter.
It is particularly difficult for people who have succeeded in knowledge-based professions where cognitive performance and expertise are fundamental to professional identity: what do you do when you stop thinking for a living?
Collection
[
|
...
]