One of the many challenges we must face as we transition from career to life after is the idea of identity. After all, we’ve devoted decades to imagining, building, shaping, and fortifying identities that center around how we wish to be seen. We’ve assembled the trappings that support the safe citadel of who we are.
Whether you’ve been a CEO, an attorney, a doctor, or whatever title has been infused into who you “are,” that need no longer exists post-retirement. Yes, I know, it’s a shock to the system and a blatant attack on your sense of well-being and comfort.
This next chapter is all about reimagining and reshaping your life in the most wondrous ways. It might not feel that way, at least not at first. It’s vital that you give yourself permission to come to grips with the fact that with any change, and you’ve lived through plenty of them, it can feel uncomfortable, destabilizing, and yes, terrible.
Your “job” is to recognize that you’ve been here before. You’ve gone through all kinds of challenges and changes, and you’ve arrived here. You’re the male version of Dorothy, battling wicked witches, flying monkeys, and all sorts of unexpected troubles.
You’ve been Major John Reisman, battling twelve convicts who might shove a knife between your ribs at any moment. (I hope you get the reference, not to mention, Army officers who just plain hate you.)
It’s time to take what you’ve learned about handling adversity, change, and uncertainty and apply it to imagining what comes next.
Who are you without your previous title?
What’s possible?
What limitations are you placing on yourself?
