This is inspired by the preceding retirement thread. Since we live in such a wealthy society that there is even such a thing as Retirement just what does that mean for each person?

For some it apparently is an opportunity to flee from a paycheck job. But: What then?

For others it is an opportunity to run to something they have always wanted to do. But does the reality match the expectation?

For, both of these retirement is definitely a gift.

But, there are those whose whole lives are centered around their careers. Their focus and their social lives depend on their career. I know several people like this and I suspect each person in the Forum does too. For these maybe retirement is an upheaval that is more like a curse than anything else.

What is it to you? How do you turn the gift given by a wealthy society into something that is satiisfying and useful?