How do you cope with ceasing to be relevant?

[Escort Rider]

We have had so many debates in this Retirement Forum between people who hated their jobs with a passion and those who miss the job because of the "relevance" it confers as well as because of the enjoyment derived from working. I am too tired to once again list the various ways in which a job can be satisfying and gratifying, so I will just repeat something a poster once wrote: People can like their jobs and still be happy to retire. The two are not mutually exclusive.

I wish I could remember the identity of that poster so I could give proper credit for an insightful comment.

[jlawrence01]

I don't miss the job on most days. I am too busy in my new interests in Tucson.

I don't even miss the paychecks or the benefits.

I do miss working with a handful of people over the years and some of the things that we were able to accomplish. Many of them do too. Most have decided to leave over the last two years of new ownership.

[katie45]

If I had to rate my relevance by my 'job', I'd have to seriously re-evaluate the opinion I have of myself.

A job, to me, was to support my vices (eating, roof over my head, etc.), not a means to prove my self-worth.

[TheShadow]

I think maybe the word "relevance" is what I get stuck on. How does one define themselves in terms of relevance? (asking rhetorically) Maybe more accurate words might be: needed, involved, useful, occupied, impactful, or my personal favorite....engaged. I like to be engaged in the world around me, whether it is doing something in my community or just keeping up with the world and the nation and what is going on. I like to think that I could converse at least semi-intelligently on most topics and one has to keep up with what's new to accomplish that. I find that the idea of becoming obsolete, like a VHS tape in a world of streaming Netflix, is very depressing, so I try not to become a mental antique. Challenge yourself to keep up, and share your knowledge with anyone who is interested. Knowledge of today's world combined with the rich experience of the past makes a person a valuable resource to those with the brains to be worthy of engagement. To those who don't have the interest in my thoughts or the patience to listen, that does not reduce the value or relevance of what I'm offering. If they can't appreciate my contribution it is THEIR loss.