We can have many lives within a life. The notion that we ever stop evolving is just wrong. - Michelle Obama, former First Lady
after more than three decades of caring for and serving others as a nurse, a close friend shared with me last month that she’d finally decided to step away and begin exploring what’s next. within the same month, her daughter got married and relocated, her son graduated from college, and she’s become a primary caretaker for her aged mother - a whirlwind of
change in a short period of time, familiar to many 50+ go-getter professionals.
it was clear in her exhale that she was relieved to have finally made this life-changing decision, emphasizing that it had been far from easy as she had wrestled with this for quite a while. she mentioned being torn between maintaining her identity in a respected profession and contributing equally to her household, and listening to that quiet, persistent internal voice that was almost shouting that it was time to let go and explore what’s next.
she is not alone. some surveys suggest that around four in ten midlife and beyond professionals consider making a professional transition, with a smaller percentage actually moving forward with this shift.
if you’re 50+ and find yourself wondering “do i stay or do i go?”or “do i stay or do i retire?” or “what wants to emerge now?” or “how do i want to live going forward?”, you’re in that tender and wobbly space between what was and what’s next.
it can feel especially destabilizing when questioning a professional journey that has helped pay the bills, shape your identity, and provide you a place in the world, especially in a job market and economy that feels equally uncertain.
when that tug to pivot whispers and lingers, consider these simple, doable next steps:
identify exactly what’s changing.
set aside some time to journal honestly about what no longer feels aligned and what you’re longing for instead. is it meaning, energy, health, creative expression, impact, flexibility or something else? this can help you shift from an “i’m letting everything go” mindset to an “i’m changing the form of how i contribute” one.separate the money and meaning questions.
addressing these in one big question can be overwhelming and paralyzing. try providing space for each. schedule a conversation with a trusted advisor or partner about your financial situation and options. and, in a separate discussion (with a coach, therapist, or wise friend), explore your purpose, values, and desired lifestyle.experiment before making a decision.
instead of framing this as “i have to fully transition or retire,” consider an experimental approach - a reduced schedule, a part-time position, consulting, or a small side gig that allows you to try on a new identity without making a big commitment.create a transition circle.
big shifts rarely, if ever, happen in isolation. share your concerns with a small group of people you trust who can hold space for you and your fears, affirm your strengths and value, remind you that you are more than a job title, and ask thought-provoking questions to help you tap into your inner wisdom.respect/honor your body.
long careers can take a toll. mind-body practices like qigong, tai chi, meditation, and breath work can help you calm your nervous system, process and release years of stress, and listen for your next right step from a more grounded place.
it’s okay not to know exactly what’s next yet. allow yourself the time and space to release a role that’s no longer the right fit, yes, even before your new chapter is fully known.
your experience, wisdom, and presence are evolving; shift from a fearful place of ‘i don’t know’ to ‘i wonder what will unfold organically’. it often takes patience and learning to listen to and trust your inner wisdom.
whether you’re mid-career or beyond and considering a shift of any kind - another professional path, retiring, transitioning into your next chapter after a long career that may or may not include a compensated position, knowing you’re not alone can make all the difference.
below are a few client success stories to inspire and encourage - enjoy!
evolve where you are
a long-time client began coaching with me about three years ago, determined to shift from her new role as a special education teacher into something different. she was convinced that this was not the right role or sector for her. we assessed her level of satisfaction, discussed the positives, the negatives, and a few clear pain points, and we delved deeply into her values, beliefs, and how she truly wanted to contribute. over time, she realized that much of her challenge was rooted in a lack of self-confidence.
together, we dissected several real-life scenarios and challenged her with small, doable steps to create some early wins, build her confidence, and show her how strong and resilient she really is. through our coaching partnership, she discovered that “teaching and education are actually her passions and this career field is where she is meant to be.” today, she is highly valued in this role and is stepping up as a respected leader. sometimes we find ourselves in big spaces where we can continue to evolve instead of seeking new landscapes.
patiently evolve where you are as you prep for a hard pivot:
another long-time client, a behavioral therapist, started coaching to identify her calling and her passion. we delved deeply into her values, beliefs, and how she truly wanted to contribute. she explored a variety of industries, companies, and roles, researched a few in more depth, and ultimately took a deep dive into human resources, where she decided to land. at that point, it was time to create a transition strategy. we discussed the many fields within the hr industry, which felt quite daunting at the time.
i suggested that she talk with her supervisor, with whom she had a great relationship, about gradually releasing her role as a therapist and moving into an hr role within the same organization. the answer was yes, and they helped her make a transition that allowed her to contribute and learn while remaining in a familiar professional space. she stayed in this internal hr role for about a year. during that time, she used her coaching sessions to lay out one stepping stone after another—exploring the various fields, researching professional organizations, identifying certifications, reaching out to professionals in the field, conducting informational interviews, and more. she was committed to the process, and it paid off.
eventually she shared that she was ready to begin making an external transition, and we developed an application strategy to prepare her for an hr generalist role. right around that time, she was informed that she was being laid off due to budget cuts. although disappointed, we discussed a layoff transition plan and she prepared to take the leap. she felt a little wobbly and uncertain, as it was happening faster than she’d hoped, but she stepped up and moved into the interview process. four months later, she landed an interview for an hr generalist role in the academic space—exactly where she wanted to pivot. she focused on evolving where she was in preparation for where she wanted to be, and although the path didn’t unfold exactly as anticipated, she remained committed to readying herself for her new role. we’re now working on helping her set herself up for success in her new role over the next 3–6 months.
evolve onto a path you dreamed of, but thought wasn’t possible:
another client came to coaching with a clear desire: she was done settling for a paycheck and job hopping her way through burnout. she wanted work that felt aligned - where passion, fulfillment, and contribution could coexist - and she knew she needed support to make more intentional choices. from the beginning, we framed our work as a coaching partnership: showing up with honesty and openness, doing reflective work between sessions, and treating each step as part of an ongoing process rather than a single big decision.
as we explored her career landscape, she began to notice how much she’d changed. burnout and a panic attack during a work trip were painful signals that her current role no longer fit the person she was becoming. instead of forcing herself back into the same mold, she allowed herself to evolve. together, we uncovered three possible paths, and she chose the quieter, deeper pull toward forest therapy, even though it was the least familiar. she started researching, connecting with practitioners, attending events, and building a transition plan that included a clear departure date from her current job and an interim phase that honored both her team and her wellbeing.
her story is, at its core, about evolution: moving from burnout-driven decisions to values-based choices, from “i’ll just take another job” to “i’m ready to create a life that fits who i am now.” rather than leaping overnight, she is evolving where she is, clarifying her path, experimenting, and preparing herself so that when she steps into the new role that she thought was a dream instead of a possibility, it will be an intentional next chapter, not just another escape route.
at a crossroads considering a pivot? let’s chat!
for fun, i asked perplexity.ai to provide a list of terms (technical, common, and a bit slangy) related to shifting, midlife and beyond. these can be used in conversations about where you are and where you’re headed, whether it’s something more meaningful, lighter, different, or unpaid.
classic retirement terms
retirement / retiring
semi-retirement
phased retirement
late-career transition
purposeful, lower-paid or unpaid work
encore career
second act
bridge employment
portfolio life / portfolio career
work-optional life
transition into unpaid work
active engagement after retirement (often used in research for volunteering, caregiving, community roles)
identity- and reinvention-focused terms
life reimagined
reinvention
post-career chapter
next chapter / next season
vocational redirection
professional realignment
career pivot / late-career pivot
softer, lifestyle-oriented language
golden years
freedom phase
transition to leisure
permanent vacation (more playful)
career intermission / career break
strategic pause / intentional pause
slangier or playful phrasing
fun employment (usually used playfully for low/no-pay phases)
between adventures
between chapters
on a work-free diet