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What Retirement Really Is… Stories of Finding Meaning and Joy

Retirement is supposed to feel like freedom. So why can it feel so unsettling?

After decades of work, routines, responsibilities and knowing where we fit, retirement can leave us asking questions we never expected:

Who am I now? What gives my days meaning? What do I want these years to be about?

Through honest stories from my own retirement journey, I explore the identity shifts, surprises, losses, relationships, aging, joy and hard-earned lessons that come with figuring out what life after work really is.

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Is this you?

Retirement often brings significant life changes that can lead to feelings of loss and diminished joy. The absence of a structured work and life routine can result in a lack of purpose, leaving many retirees feeling adrift and disconnected. This transition can also impact social interactions, as daily connections with colleagues decrease, potentially leading to isolation. Additionally, the challenge of redefining personal identity without a professional role can contribute to a sense of uncertainty and reduced fulfillment.

As a retirement life coach, I am dedicated to helping you navigate these challenges and rediscover the joy and purpose that can make your retirement truly fulfilling. Together, we will explore your passions and interests to establish meaningful goals that align with your values. By proactively addressing potential obstacles and developing strategies to overcome them, we can create a personalized plan that fosters a satisfying and enriched retirement experience.

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My Mission

Welcome to What Retirement Really Is, where we empower individuals to navigate retirement with confidence and purpose. Led by Sharon, our mission is to provide personalized guidance and strategies for cultivating a fulfilling post-career life.

Through insightful planning, holistic support, and a focus on individual aspirations, we aim to inspire our clients to embrace this new chapter with optimism, vitality, and a profound sense of fulfillment. Sharon’s upcoming book, “What Retirement Really Is” shares her intimate journey of struggle and triumph, offering invaluable insights for those seeking fulfillment in their own “life after work.”

With a background in coaching individuals through change, growth, and personal challenges, Sharon brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to help you uncover your own road to purpose and fulfillment. Join us on this transformative journey towards a flourishing retirement.

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Gerald K

“You are a role model, one who did not relent, perseverance is your key to unlocking issues. I seemed to me that you have solutions for every situation.”

Lori L

“You care deeply about people and truly want to help others to be the best they can be. You are the sort of person who has made a difference in so many people’s lives, and I think that’s a place where you love to be.”

Ron H

“You always made sure to give people the opportunity to be heard, and worked hard to understand their perspective. I think what I am trying to say is that you valued people and respected them, and they gave you respect in return.”

About Sharon

I’m Sharon Eistetter.

After a 38-year career, I thought I was ready for retirement. Financially, I was. Emotionally? Not even close.

Retirement challenged my identity, my sense of purpose and my understanding of what a meaningful life looked like without work at the centre of it.

Nine years later, I’m still learning — and writing about what I’ve discovered along the way.

My Story

Check out my Substack for weekly stories to help you find meaning and joy. Also for weekly cutting edge research on retirement

What Retirement really Is