First of all, give yourself a break and realize that there will be some transition time. You're going to need to de-compress. So you sit around for a while, so what? I would take some time to think about what you really enjoy--how you would really like to spend your days--don't think that it is necessarily what you are "supposed" to do. In a perfect day, what time would you really like to get up? Go to bed? Eat for breakfast, lunch, etc.? What really makes your heart sing? Maybe you don't really care about travel, golf, and all that stuff that people are supposed to love. Maybe you're not much of a volunteer, but there are things you like to do that just kind of segue into some volunteering. I rejoined my church choir, only because it's a great choir and I like to sing. Then I was feeling kind of guilty about not volunteering for anything (have friends who deliver Meals on Wheels and such)...then came the Eureka moment when I realized that singing in the church choir is actually volunteering--participating in the Music Ministry...oh right, duh. I was just doing it because I liked it. After some more trial and error I realized that I have a book problem-- I am a book-a-holic...really just need to say no. But anyway, on a normal day when nothing else is going on, I lie on the couch with the dog and read for two hours or so every afternoon. Right now I'm making my way through the 10 Adam Dalgleish novels by P.D. James. Everybody always told me I wasn't "good" at art, so I draw a picture in my sketch pad once a week or so...bwaa-ha-ha...just because I want to . I've given up all aspirations to be "good" on my harp and piano--just play what I like--only practice if the song feeds my soul...no agenda but my own. Went out with friends in canoes for the first time in years. Felt like I was back home again in that little boat, and it brought back to me why I used to love canoeing so much. That will undoubtedly be my next thing. So relax, don't obsess, try some different things--the future will appear gradually out of the mists--the future designed for yourself by you.