By Nora Fields

With more than 22,000 days under my belt, I have plenty of life lessons — the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’m excited to have a renewed sense of purpose in this season of life, because if I’m honest, losing that purpose caught me off guard.

No one warns you that retirement isn’t just about leaving a job — it’s about losing an identity.

You spend decades introducing yourself as “Nora from XYZ Company,” quietly believing your value is tied to your professional title. We work our entire lives to reach retirement, only to arrive and wonder where we fit in now. That loss of structure can sneak up on you — and if you’re not careful, it can sour your disposition.

Another thing no one prepares you for. The comments.

“Must be nice.”
“You’re so lucky.”

In our case, it had very little to do with being lucky. It was actually bad luck — cancer — that pushed us into early retirement. Had it not been for years of financial planning, it could have been a disaster.

I’ve made it a point to gently remind people that retirement is rarely accidental. It’s the result of decades of work, discipline, and intentional decisions. Yes, there may be some luck involved, but in most cases, it’s planning that makes it possible.

During my years as a loan officer, I saw too many people reach retirement age without preparing for it. I was careful with budgets and money myself, but I underestimated the value of meeting with a financial advisor earlier in life. I assumed advisors were only for “rich” people.

They aren’t.

Treating your 401(k) like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow isn’t a plan. Sitting down with someone to guide your investments — sooner rather than later — is.

Thankfully, we sought advice about a year before my husband became ill. Knowing we could retire early, if necessary, removed one enormous layer of fear during the hardest season of our lives.

Because here’s the truth: life happens when you least expect it.

Purpose matters. Planning matters. And both are easier to build before you think you need them.

We’re all aging.
Let’s do it out loud.

— Nora

As published in The County Journal on April 25, 2026