Not Done Yet! Why This Boomer is Trading Retirement for Reinvention
I’m in a new season of my life.
It’s been five months since I left the world of being an employee. When I left my job, I was clear that I was “resigning” not “retiring.” Of course, many people who heard the news I was leaving assumed I was retiring, most likely because of my age and my gray hair. 😊 But there is a difference between the two.
Retire: to withdraw, move back, recede, conclude one’s working or professional career; withdraw from one’s position or occupation or from active working life. *
Resign: to give up deliberately; to give up one’s office or position. *
*Merriam-Webster Dictionary, edited.
I had some respond with affirmations that now I can take some time for myself and do what I want. Which is, in fact, what I’m doing, but not with the intent of their sentiments. You see, I enjoyed my job as a therapist and felt like I was doing what I wanted. I did take time for myself, which contributed to my professional fulfillment and success. I have the privilege now to pivot to something I’ve been wanting to do, while I still have the energy and desire. So here I am, learning as I go and grow!
Navigating Life's Seasons: Finding Purpose and Growth in Every Chapter
As women, we go through many seasons during our lifetime that require adaptation and flexibility to survive and thrive. Many of these significant seasons involve our role and identity as mothers, parents, and caregivers. These roles have morphed as our children age, who then perhaps become parents themselves, giving us a new title and identity as grandparent. As our parents age, women tend to take the lead with eldercare, becoming caregivers.
Just as our parenthood and caregiving identity morphs, so does our professional identity. I’ve worked since I was 12 years old, and I’ve had many career shifts and opportunities that have revealed my values and sense of fulfillment. I have left and re-entered the workforce as my values, needs, and responsibilities have changed.
There are people who assume and have the mindset that when you retire you stop learning and growing, and that you’ve earned the right to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery.
We’re in a new age of “retirees,” especially as women. With the advancement of medicine, nutrition, and technology, people are living longer and healthier, paving the way for an extended, quality work life.
As “baby boomer” women (born between 1946-1964) we’ve experienced the social change of feminism and the sexual revolution. Our demographic has forged the way for civil rights, women’s rights, and gay rights. As women we’ve transformed the workforce as well as the process of parenting and caregiving. Although we haven’t all agreed with the constructs of these changes, it has impacted us all on some level.
For example, some “empty nesters” view this season of life with a sense of freedom, while others wallow in the feelings of loss and “now what do I do.” This was never a question for our mothers; they were welcoming their grand-mothering role as their next chapter while nurturing the home, without other options.
Retire Your Old Ideas About Retirement
According to an article published in Winter 2017, “Journal of Economic Perspectives” economists’ Claudia Goldin and Joshua Mitchell wrote that women entering their older years have more work experience, often have more satisfying careers rather than just jobs, have invested more in their vocations, and have more identity bound up in their work. They feel that they have meaningful careers.
The key is doing something meaningful and fulfilling. I see women doing great things in all different areas, whether it’s in business, volunteering, in their families, the arts, or in the community.
I love to see Martha Stewart continuing to create new areas of her work, and her role modeling of collaboration with Snoop-Dog, where they’re learning from each other. Martha isn’t the only female pioneer who has set this example of continuing their life’s work beyond midlife; think of Dolly Parton and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
We also have the legendary “Janes,” Jane Goodall at 90 years old still working and advocating for chimpanzees, and Jane Fonda, age 86, who besides acting, continues to be an activist for humanity and the environment.
Julia Child is another. She was an analyst the first half of her life, and she married a French man, moved to Paris, and learned about French Cooking. At 49 years old, she wrote her first cookbook with her two friends, which was rejected. Learning from this experience, she tried again, published other cookbooks, and at age 51 starred in her own cooking show. She worked in this field and television beyond 85 years old.
At 76 years old, Grandma Moses had such arthritis from crocheting all her life that she could no longer do it. So, she started painting and continued painting for 25 years. She lived well past her life expectancy to the age of 101. When you find things you love doing, you live longer!
What role models we have! I’m sure you can think of others that perhaps haven’t received the recognition they deserve.
Just as we (women) have forged new ways to combine careers and motherhood, we’re also defying the cultural rules of retirement.
The Baby Boomers in general have reframed retirement to have the ability and freedom to pursue ever-changing interests. This may mean they’re re-inventing themselves, and/or finally doing something they haven’t allowed themselves to do. Boomers want respect for their roles and continued significance within society, ensuring that their lives have meaning – which is up to us to define for ourselves.
Women are taking career breaks, developing phased retirement, and supplementing their income while pursuing a passion project. No matter their path, women continue to stay engaged due to their strong social networks.
There seems to be a toggling between work and leisure, trying to balance this out, just like Gen Z. Women have been creative and strategic over our life’s seasons to make our unique situations and desires work.
I’m not ready to retire. My mindset is to continue an active lifestyle of learning, engaging, and exploring new opportunities to experience life and connection. This seems to be on trend with other women in midlife and beyond.
In this season of life, (midlife and beyond), it’s about your fulfillment, your happiness, and your own definition of success. If this is your season, here are some questions to ask as you contemplate your next steps forward:
What do I want to keep doing?
What do I want to stop doing?
How can I organize my time that will work best for me – and my habits/routines for self-care, physical health, and meaningful connection with others?
Where are my interests and passions? What are my creative outlets, hobbies, and projects?
What sparks a sense of excitement and adventure for me?
Are there new things I’d like to be doing, that will be challenging for me?
What have I put off doing until this stage of life?
What am I doing to maintain and improve my health?
Am I staying socially active with people that impact my life in a positive way?
What kind of (volunteer) work or other activities will give me a sense of fulfillment?
What activities are in alignment with my values?
How do you define this season of midlife and beyond?
The Joy of Reinvention: How to Be Enchanted Beyond Midlife
The retirement era of our parents has undergone a radical change. It’s no longer being viewed as the “last chapter” of life but has now morphed into a phase that’s not necessarily consistent with “old age” and inactivity. It’s up to us to define this for ourselves. Some have identified this time as our “third act.”
One thing I’ve come to realize and value is that I’m a lifelong learner. I value being in connection with others, and I know that I learn within the context of this connection.
We’re reshaping our identity and lifestyle. Be purposeful in this season of life. Seek engagement, be active physically and mentally, be intentional with activities that provide fulfillment, which includes contributions to others in whatever ways spark you. This has proven to provide longevity, health, and quality to our days.
As author, Shauna Niequist suggests, be enchanted with this season of your life. ✨ Allow ourselves to become enchanted with change – whether it be in your environment, relationships, or interests. It’s about the freedom and joy that come with letting yourself re-imagine almost everything.
Let the process of discovery, learning, and reinvention be enchanting for you!