Comments on: Identity Theft: 5 Ways For Career Women To Deal With The Loss Of Their Professional Identity In Retirement http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/blog/identity-theft-5-ways-for-professional-women-to-deal-with-loss-of-identity-in-retirement/ Evelyn Kalinosky, LLC Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:59:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Evelyn http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/blog/identity-theft-5-ways-for-professional-women-to-deal-with-loss-of-identity-in-retirement/comment-page-1/#comment-35 Evelyn Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:18:38 +0000 http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/?p=851#comment-35 Cynthia, Congratulations! You so eloquently explained how disorienting it can be for a woman to lose her professional identity after being so tied to it for many years. The fact that you were able to navigate through the waves of change, loss, uncertainty, and re-examination, and come out on the other side of the storm with a renewed purpose and passion is wonderful. You are an inspiration! I wish you much success in your new career. How exciting that now, in your mid 50s, you are beginning a brand new chapter in your life. That's what happens when we don't let our chronological age define us. Rock on, my lady! Cynthia,
Congratulations! You so eloquently explained how disorienting it can be for a woman to lose her professional identity after being so tied to it for many years. The fact that you were able to navigate through the waves of change, loss, uncertainty, and re-examination, and come out on the other side of the storm with a renewed purpose and passion is wonderful. You are an inspiration! I wish you much success in your new career. How exciting that now, in your mid 50s, you are beginning a brand new chapter in your life. That’s what happens when we don’t let our chronological age define us. Rock on, my lady!

]]> By: Cynthia http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/blog/identity-theft-5-ways-for-professional-women-to-deal-with-loss-of-identity-in-retirement/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Cynthia Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:58:39 +0000 http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/?p=851#comment-34 I took a sabbatical twelve years ago to ponder a career transition in my early 40s. The bad news: the loss of professional identity was disorienting and took me much longer than I anticipated to find that new direction -- tried lots of avenues and possibilities via volunteering, part-time work, courses, etc. The good news: I just graduated from Harvard with a master's degree and have begun a major new chapter in my life in my mid-fifties with a new occupation (journalism) and a move back to city life (after being in suburbia for 10+ years) in Boston. Such major shifts are not easy and not always on our timetable. They can however be full of growth and open doors to new people, projects, and provide positive challenges and enjoyment along with the uncertainty, loneliness, and discouragement. One thing our current society teaches us: nothing is permanent and utter security is not attainable. (God knows journalism is not a secure profession). My overall advice -- learn to surf the waves! I took a sabbatical twelve years ago to ponder a career transition in my early 40s. The bad news: the loss of professional identity was disorienting and took me much longer than I anticipated to find that new direction — tried lots of avenues and possibilities via volunteering, part-time work, courses, etc. The good news: I just graduated from Harvard with a master’s degree and have begun a major new chapter in my life in my mid-fifties with a new occupation (journalism) and a move back to city life (after being in suburbia for 10+ years) in Boston. Such major shifts are not easy and not always on our timetable. They can however be full of growth and open doors to new people, projects, and provide positive challenges and enjoyment along with the uncertainty, loneliness, and discouragement. One thing our current society teaches us: nothing is permanent and utter security is not attainable. (God knows journalism is not a secure profession). My overall advice — learn to surf the waves!

]]> By: Evelyn http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/blog/identity-theft-5-ways-for-professional-women-to-deal-with-loss-of-identity-in-retirement/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Evelyn Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:24:01 +0000 http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/?p=851#comment-33 I like that, Kathie: "I don't see myself as losing an identity, but rather having a changing one." That's the truly great part - we don't have to remain the same. The only thing we can count on is change, and it's great to ride that wave and be part of that change internally. I like that, Kathie: “I don’t see myself as losing an identity, but rather having a changing one.” That’s the truly great part – we don’t have to remain the same. The only thing we can count on is change, and it’s great to ride that wave and be part of that change internally.

]]> By: Kathie M Thomas http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/blog/identity-theft-5-ways-for-professional-women-to-deal-with-loss-of-identity-in-retirement/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Kathie M Thomas Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:43:04 +0000 http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/?p=851#comment-32 I'm already going through the transition. My husband an I consider ourselves to be in 'pre-retirement' and are shifting to our retirement home within the month. He's been mountain bike riding seriously for the past few years and I've taken up photography. As our working lives phase down or out our 'hobbies and interests' have been increasing and I know we'll pursue those things more as we get older and stop working corporately. I don't see myself as losing an identity but rather having a changing one. I’m already going through the transition. My husband an I consider ourselves to be in ‘pre-retirement’ and are shifting to our retirement home within the month. He’s been mountain bike riding seriously for the past few years and I’ve taken up photography.

As our working lives phase down or out our ‘hobbies and interests’ have been increasing and I know we’ll pursue those things more as we get older and stop working corporately.

I don’t see myself as losing an identity but rather having a changing one.

]]> By: Evelyn http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/blog/identity-theft-5-ways-for-professional-women-to-deal-with-loss-of-identity-in-retirement/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Evelyn Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:10:01 +0000 http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/?p=851#comment-31 Very good point about women becoming more creative as they grow older, Eileen. There are so many opportunities to renew and reclaim those aspects of the self that may have been suppressed during their "working" life. Now, at or near retirement, women are able to create a whole new Act 3! Very good point about women becoming more creative as they grow older, Eileen. There are so many opportunities to renew and reclaim those aspects of the self that may have been suppressed during their “working” life. Now, at or near retirement, women are able to create a whole new Act 3!

]]> By: Eileen Williams http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/blog/identity-theft-5-ways-for-professional-women-to-deal-with-loss-of-identity-in-retirement/comment-page-1/#comment-30 Eileen Williams Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:34:06 +0000 http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/?p=851#comment-30 Sage advice for a major life transition. However, I think that older women become more creative-- when a woman can no longer bear children, it is as if her mind engages in new ways. Women especially can use these talents to enhance their lives at retirement, try new things, write a book or take up painting. Whatever gets your personal juices flowing and, as you put it, take some time to explore and renew! Sage advice for a major life transition. However, I think that older women become more creative– when a woman can no longer bear children, it is as if her mind engages in new ways. Women especially can use these talents to enhance their lives at retirement, try new things, write a book or take up painting. Whatever gets your personal juices flowing and, as you put it, take some time to explore and renew!

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