I think an explanation of how society defines us helps a bit. I read somewhere that we are defined by our relationship(s) to others. Mother, Nurse, Daughter, Neighbor, Friend. After we retire & as we ease into our Elder years - we no longer have to define ourselves by the way we relate to other Humans. We can sort out who we in our truest self and we don't need to rely on anyone outside ourselves to do it.

I love retirement. I feel ike I'm returning to who I truly am after decades of living my life for others.