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Chapter 7. Self-awareness, Meaning, and Purpose

“Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”

—Betty Friedan

Who are you? If you are like most people, your answer to that question—at least since you landed your first job—has been “I’m a business owner” or “I sell insurance” or “I teach fourth grade.” In other words, you have described yourself by what you DO. Unlike your older parent counterparts, you never thought of yourself as “Brian’s mom,” or “Kimberly’s dad,” so you have the advantage of not going through the trauma of the empty nest, but you will still need to re-orient the way you think about yourself after you leave your midlife career and embark on other adventures.

Why am I here?

What is my life about?

What do I want to do with my time, money, and talents?

How can I make a difference in my community and in the world?

Opportunities abound today to explore self-awareness, to define the “new you,” and to figure out what makes you happy and adds meaning to your life. Self-development workshops are available through private organizations as well as community colleges and public programs. Transition and life coaches have hung out their shingles in every corner of America, from the smallest towns to the largest urban areas.