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From recently published research on JAMA Network Open, "...having a sense of purpose in life is associated with both physical and mental health and overall quality of life. Purposeful living has been defined in various ways. In general, purpose in life can be defined as “a self-organizing life aim that stimulates goals, ”promotes healthy behaviors, and gives meaning to life." Per the research on a cohort of nearly 7000 people over the age of 50, lack of life purpose is a modifiable risk factor associated with a higher level of mortality. [This research, like all, has limitations.] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2734064?utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_term=052419 On the eve of a bright new year - my 2nd in WD - I am trying to develop goals that give meaning to my life. Since 2015, when I stopped working full-time, involuntarily, my purpose disintegrated. Not working is just one of the ways a person loses his or her sense life purpose. There are other ways to create purpose. Is anyone else attempting to formulate or consider new or existing goals while in WD? Or are they trying to get through day by day? The article cites interventions to improve life purpose, quality of life and various health outcomes with the goal of improving life purpose are volunteering, well-being therapy, and meditations. Mindfulness is also cited as one component of life purpose. Association Between Life Purpose and Mortality Among US Adults Older Than 50 Years Aliya Alimujiang, MPH1; Ashley Wiensch, MPH1; Jonathan Boss, MS2; et al Nancy L. Fleischer, PhD, MPH1; Alison M. Mondul, PhD, MPH1; Karen McLean, MD, PhD3; Bhramar Mukherjee, PhD1,2; Celeste Leigh Pearce, PhD, MPH1 Author Affiliations Article Information JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(5):e194270. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.4270

So I've had moments of feeling 'normal' so to speak whilst withdrawing but some perspective seems persistent. To be honest, I do not 'get' working life. For example, I'm working at a nursing home, cleaning ( I'm took anxious to do care) but this job only exists due to other peoples deterioration, so I feel like I'm profiting from people's illness. These people maybe worked to the bone all there lives just to end up in effectively a badly run hostel, although creating jobs for other people. The carers and nurses are worked to the point of breakdown, due to poor working conditions and the inability to keep a good number of staff. Other jobs I've done - cafés - also I've felt that they do not hire enough staff so that I'm trying to do the job of three people. Also it feels that it requires 'acting'. So you need to be a good actor for customer service jobs. Retail - I don't get the 'point'. That's all I can say. Support work for adults with learning disabilities - I feel that there is a big divide between workers who are seen as normal and the clients. And god knows, what there are medicated with..certainly a lot of medications to control whatever it is that is perceived needs controlling. Hospitality work - again requires a certain amount of acting..people work a certain amount to get time off to come to another place which requires people to work. Haha I just don't seem to get it all really..Money and work don't seem to make sense..anyone else feel this? what would be the alternative..maybe just need to live in a hippy commune the rest of my life. Something that has re-ignited this question in me is being able to sense some wellness at some times again and wondering how to resume rebuild my life and also the fact that these medications which I believe have made me ill is produced for profit - this is not something I even considered before - I thought some caring nice company produced them - really !