Who are you when the career ends? What happens when the role you've played for years disappears? And how do you create purpose in the next chapter of your life?
In this episode of **The Midlife Rebel Podcast**, I’m joined by retirement transition expert **George Jerjian** to explore the psychology of retirement, identity after work, and how to navigate one of the biggest transitions of midlife.
George shares the experience that changed his own life, including a 30-day silent retreat that helped him step back, reflect on the life he'd lived, and discover what came next. We talk about the "liminal space" of retirement, why so many people struggle after leaving work, and how purpose isn't something you lose — it's something you rediscover.
### In this episode we discuss:
* Why retirement can trigger an identity crisis.
* The emotional transition from career to purpose.
* George's DARE framework: Discover, Assimilate, Rewire and Expand.
* Growth mindset vs fixed mindset in later life.
* Finding clues to your authentic self through flow and curiosity.
* Why fear often points towards meaningful change.
* The surprising connection between sleep, the nervous system and good decision-making.
* What George learned from surveying thousands of retirees across the English-speaking world.
This conversation is for anyone approaching retirement, recently retired, or simply wondering what the next chapter of life could look like.
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