I'm 39 but just started contributing to a 401(k) account. I have what I call 'retirement planning paralysis.'

The author has always struggled to plan for retirement.

Courtesy of Emily Achler

• In my 20s and 30s, I tried to live in the present and ignored retirement planning.
• Now that I'm about to turn 40, I've started contributing to a 401(k), but I'm behind.
• I still have to combine my past retirement accounts, but I'm fighting retirement planning paralysis.

I'm 39, and my retirement plan is haphazard, chaotic, and borderline nonexistent. I feel a lot of shame around this fact because I should know better.