From Fortune to Fulfillment
A client recently shared something that stuck with me:
“I feel incredibly lucky in retirement—my health is good, my finances are solid, and I have strong relationships. I know others are really struggling… and here I am, feeling a little lost.”
On paper, everything looked great. But underneath was a quieter, harder-to-name struggle—one he didn’t feel entirely comfortable owning. He wasn’t facing a crisis. But he was searching: for rhythm, for meaning, for something that made this chapter feel like *his*.
It’s not uncommon. In retirement, we can carry an invisible weight: the belief that if we’re not struggling in the typical ways—money, health, family—we should just be content. Quiet. Grateful. And stop asking for more.
But that mindset can quietly hold us back. It can keep us from acknowledging the inner tensions that arise when purpose, identity, or contribution feel blurry. And it can mute the desire to use what we’ve gained—whether by effort, opportunity, or both—to create something that feels like ours.
When I invited this client to reflect on what enabled him to feel “so lucky,” the conversation shifted. He began to see the full picture. Yes, he’d been dealt a solid hand—but he’d also played it well. He nurtured relationships. Took care of his health. Stayed curious. Invested in growth.
That’s when the lightbulb went on. What if his good fortune wasn’t something to tiptoe around—but a foundation to build on?
“Privilege is not in and of itself bad; what matters is what we do with it.”
Gay’s words provide insight. Reflecting on what’s contributed to your current season of life—luck, effort, support, and strength—can be the springboard to something more. And those strengths don’t have to show up in flashy or public ways. They might look like generosity, patience, wisdom, or creativity. When acknowledged, they become resources—not just achievements—to carry forward.
While guilt was part of what he named, the deeper story was about uncertainty. The quiet ways we question ourselves. We minimize our desires. We wonder if it's selfish to want more. We second-guess whether it's okay to seek deeper meaning when, from the outside, everything looks fine.
Fulfillment doesn’t require a grand gesture. It often begins with small, intentional choices—leaning into curiosity, showing up in new ways, or contributing where it matters most.
Let go of the guilt. Acknowledge what helped you get here—luck, effort, or both. Then ask yourself: "How can I use this strong foundation to create something meaningful in this next chapter?"
Whether it’s deepening relationships, mentoring others, or finally pursuing what lights you up—your privilege isn’t a weight to carry. It’s a tool to use.
Conflux Retirement Coaching is about merging the best of who you are with who you want to become.
Retirement is a powerful time to reflect on your fortune and use it as both a foundation and a lantern—guiding you toward fulfillment. It’s an opportunity to bring forward your gifts in service of yourself, those you love, your community, and the world.
Embrace it.
