After talking with over 200 people for various articles, including many retirees, I’ve noticed striking patterns among those who find retirement more prison than paradise. The most miserable retirees I’ve met still introduce themselves as “former VP of Sales” or “retired teacher” because they never figured out who they were without that professional label. But what if retirement isn’t an ending at all? Brown’s course emphasizes that retirement isn’t an ending but rather a beginning for reinvention and possibility. Final thoughtsAfter all these interviews and observations, including watching my own father navigate retirement, I’ve learned that financial security is just the foundation.