For many American workers, retirement is a reward at the end of a long career where they can sit back, relax and enjoy their golden years. But for some, leaving the workforce isn't so easy. 

In a recent piece for CNBC Make It, 67-year-old George Jerjian describes feeling "bored, restless and stuck" in retirement, with less energy and enthusiasm than he had while he was working.

Jerjian, who decided to "un-retire" in 2017 by creating a mindset coaching company to help others find purpose in retirement, found out that he wasn't alone in feeling that way. Through a survey of more than 15,000 retirees over 60, he pinpointed three areas that were cited as the hardest parts of retirement. 

Regret

One of the most-cited factors by survey recipients was regret about retiring at all. 

"I'm not sure what to do with my time," said one respondent. "I feel lost." 

Jerjian refers to the Japanese concept of "ikigai," which translates to "your reason for being," as something that can help retirees find their purpose. He recommends retirees ask themselves questions such as, "Are you doing an activity that you love?" and, "Does the world need what you offer?" as a way to help find fulfilling activities. 

Health

Being older, many retirees were justifiably concerned about the effects of aging on their minds. They reported fear of dying in pain and discomfort, as well as a desire to keep their minds healthy so they can continue "adding value to the world." 

"When you're 70 with a heart condition, you don't get that many more bites at the apple," one person responded. 

Jerjian cited a 2021 study in the Journal of Applied Gerontology, which associated having a strong purpose in life with healthier lifestyle choices as well as slower rates of progression of chronic illnesses.

Identity

Leaving the workforce also created feelings of insecurity among Jerjian's survey respondents, one of whom cited "fear of losing my identity created over a lifetime." 

Referring back to "ikiagi," Jerjian says that finding something to do that feels like it adds value to the world can help "individuals feel that their lives are valuable as they move toward their goals." 

"Depending on when you plan to retire, you may have another 30, 40, 50 or more years of life," Jerjian writes. "That's a hell of a long time to drift aimlessly." 

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