Identity in retirement: roles and narratives

When you worked you had a certain identity. Retirement is the point where you can springboard to a new identity. Of course when I say identity I’m not thinking plastic surgery with a new surname.

I have in mind two aspects of your life: Roles and Narrative. What are they?

·      Roles are defined by job functions, activities and your position in your family and community.

·      Narrative consists of the stories you tell about your life and how you want it to unfold in the future.

I’m sure you were/are very clear on your Roles and Narrative in your worklife.

In order to draw a bead on both of them in your retired life, here is a short questionnaire to fill out.

1.   Roles

When you worked were you a problem-solver, good with clients, excellent at office politics, good at nurturing others? These are examples, you will have your own answers.

In retirement what do you want to be: a friend, a grandparent, a learner, a helper? Again you will have your answers.

I emphasise the plural “answers” because you will be defined by many roles in retirement.

2.   Narrative

This is the part I find most interesting.

What stories do you/did you tell about your working life?

Now for your retired life. What stories would you like to tell about yourself? As a concluding exercise try to sketch out how the transitions of roles and narratives may play out. For example:

·      I mentored staff at work, and I want to continue with that in retired life.

·      In the last few years of work I was bored and unmotivated, but in retirement I want to re-invent myself and please my family.