The most underrated quality of people who age well isn't health, money, or family - it's that they built a relationship with themselves long before they needed it to be the primary one, and the people who arrive at 70 having ignored that relationship are the ones who find solitude unbearable when it finally arrives - Silicon Canals

"After forty years of being 'the electrician' or 'the guy who fixes things,' many retirees find themselves sitting in silence, unsure of who they are beyond their job titles. This disconnect can be jarring, as they realize they have not taken the time to know themselves."

"The most successful retirees are those who built a relationship with themselves while still busy with work and family. They are comfortable in solitude because they have spent time understanding their own thoughts and feelings."

"Growing up, many learned the value of hard work and perseverance but were not taught how to reflect on their lives. This lack of self-examination can lead to a struggle with identity once the distractions of work and family are removed."

Many individuals face an identity crisis upon retirement, realizing they do not know themselves beyond their professional roles. The focus on financial and health preparations for retirement often overshadows the importance of self-relationship. Those who age well typically cultivate a connection with themselves while still engaged in work and family life. The lack of self-exploration can stem from societal teachings that prioritize work over introspection, leading to discomfort in solitude during retirement.

Read at Silicon Canals