Who Am I Now?

Finding purpose after loss and retirement

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“You’ve got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down” — Ray Bradbury

My life changed dramatically in the last 2 years when my husband died and I finally decided to retire and escape from my stressful job.

I jumped off the metaphorical cliff to start my life anew.

Nothing is the same as it was, which is good and bad. Good because I have more freedom and choice in my life without a job and a lot less stress, but bad because I miss my former life with my husband.

At 73 I’m on my own again starting fresh and it feels like I’m at the same stage as when I graduated from college and launched into a whole new life as an adult. It’s thrilling, scary and confusing all at once.

I spent many years as a caretaker for my mom and dad as they got older, my younger brother battling a serious disease and finally my husband.

I loved my role as caretaker helping my loved ones, but now I feel like I lost some of myself during those years. I need a new purpose that fits my life now.

But I’ve struggled with what that new life will look like. It’s not easy starting over after a big change, but I’m…