As a firm believer in looking forward, I also recognize the value of briefly revisiting the past—not for the sake of regret, but to be reminded of the lessons learned. Regardless of our phase in life, there are always insights gained. Age does not discriminate when it comes to learning. I find joy in discovering something new and frustration when time constraints limit learning. Although I maintain my love for reading and taking online courses, my most significant mode of learning is paying attention to life itself.
At the end of each year, I enjoy going through my pictures and calendar to review the events of the past 52 weeks. Who did I spend time with? What were the highlights? What were the low points? What lessons were learned? This ritual reinforces how rich life truly is and emphasizes the importance of being present for all of it.
Once again, this past year was filled with interesting twists and turns. The most recent twist involved transitioning from my role as an Executive Director to reconsider what my future holds. Let me be clear—I am well aware of how fortunate I am to be able to leave a job without another one lined up. However, even in a position of “safety,” making such a move is still scary, especially when uncertain about what comes next.
Twice before, I have chosen to downshift from great jobs without knowing what was next. Both times, the right opportunity presented itself, and I gained valuable insights. I have no doubt that my decision to leave my most recent position will play out similarly. When I feel like I’m just going through the motions at work, it’s a significant red flag for me. I believe that neglecting my strengths and lacking a sense of purpose and flow means I’m not making a positive impact for others.
The beauty of reaching a certain age is eliminating the need to meet other people’s expectations. I no longer feel the pressure to impress or prove anything, and it’s rather liberating. When your priorities are in order, your choices become more focused. It’s not about having everything figured out in this phase of life (as Anne Lamott refers to it as the Third Third of Life), but things start coming into focus. You care less about things that used to fuel your 24/7 drive for success. Man, that was exhausting. Was it necessary? Absolutely. It was a transformative time. Each experience, whether good, bad, or ugly, was crucial to reaching a point where you understand failure, unbridled ego, and the relentless need to be the best. You learn all these life experiences serve as your teacher, if you allow them to do so.
Thinking Out Loud,
Nicki