Throughout countless conversations over the years, I've observed a common pattern:

Even highly successful people often experience periods of feeling stuck, anxious, or unfulfilled.

This experience transcends age and career stage.

I've seen retirees who meticulously achieved their financial goals suddenly wondering, "What's next?"

I've seen mid-career professionals feeling trapped in roles they once aspired to.

And I've witnessed young professionals regret choosing careers driven by prestige or paychecks rather than genuine interest.

The common thread?

A widespread struggle to align life choices with personal purpose and values.

How to Retire at 62 (Even If You Feel “Behind”) Learn why you should ignore popular savings benchmarks, why delaying Social Security isn’t always the right move, and how to use a simple 4-step process to build your early retirement plan 🎙️ Listen now on ​Apple​, ​Spotify​, or ​YouTube​.

Life’s Next Chapter

Most of us rarely take necessary action because we're overwhelmed by daily responsibilities—commutes, meetings, errands, family commitments, etc.

These demands leave little time to reflect on deeper questions such as:

• What do I truly want my life to look like?
• What changes could help me feel more fulfilled, energized, and impactful?

Even when these questions surface, they're quickly overshadowed by pressing tasks.

But the truth is, you can't effectively move forward without taking intentional time for introspection.

Real clarity emerges from silence, journaling, prayer, meditation, or meaningful conversations with trusted individuals.

It requires courageously facing the pivotal question:

That's a daunting question.

Often, the biggest obstacle to meaningful life change is the fear of making a mistake or appearing foolish:

• What if I choose incorrectly?
• What if the alternative isn't better?
• What if I'm alone in feeling this way?

Here's an essential insight: you're far from alone.

Almost everyone experiences this type of uncertainty at some point, and many people face it repeatedly throughout their lives.

This feeling of discontent isn't a flaw—it's a valuable signal pointing you toward deeper reflection and potential growth.

If this resonates, know you're neither alone nor broken.

This very discontent could be your greatest opportunity—if you're brave enough to ask yourself honestly:

Not what society expects.

Not what your past self planned.

But what your current self genuinely desires.

These are undoubtedly challenging questions.

But they're also crucial ones because they compel you to live intentionally.

And only through intentional living does a fulfilling life truly become possible.

Bottom Line

I'm not advocating change simply for change's sake (that often leads to impulsive, regrettable decisions).

Instead, I'm advocating for a significant purposeful shift toward greater alignment with your values and goals.

If that's something you're looking for help with, our team would love to explore this further with you.

Because ultimately, our role as retirement planners extends well beyond financial management—it's about helping you build a life that's meaningful to you.

📚 What I've Been Reading

• Family and Friends Shoulder the Cost of Dementia (The Conversation)
• There's No Magic Bullet When It Comes to Long-Term Care (Morningstar)
• What the Heck Is Happening at Social Security (Next Avenue)
• Is There Any Such Thing As a Safe Investment? (Fast Company)
• How Money Can Impact Happiness (Humble Dollar)
• The Evolution of Modern Dogs (Forking Paths)

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Stay wealthy,

Taylor Schulte, CFP®