Hi Kris. We were classmates at PEA and this was such a great read for me. I felt that you were writing this essay especially for me. I recently retired from a 30 year career in business and I am struggling with my next steps. It's been hard for me to verbalize how I feel as I'm happy to be done working yet now I worry that I will grow tired of inactivity. I've enjoyed being the stay at home and cooking brings me a ton of joy. I don't know where the winds will blow me but I am going to read this essay from time to time to lift my spirits. I'm very happy for you! Thank you, Danny S.
Hi Danny! Of course I remember you, and your response means so much to me -- thank you for reading and commenting! I love cooking, too, and the food we eat now is much better than the super busy parenting years. My poor kids -- who are all now adults -- still tell stories of that one year when the dinner choice was pizza rolls or frozen pizza, and they roll their eyes when I send them pictures of what JP and I eat now (not pizza rolls or frozen pizza!). Keep exploring and trying new things and you will find what matters to you. My next post will be about the importance of failure -- which I feel is relevant for this exploring phase, since not all of it pans out the way we hope (and of course that applies to my writing, as well).
Kristin, very well written and food for thought. Immersed in my own second act, another quote I find throught-provoking is: "In life, the first act is always exciting but it is the second act -- that's where the depth comes in." ...Joyce Van Patten. Very true. Thanks for jump starting the brain cells again !
Needed perspective, Kris. Valid question is: why are we all so devoted (or beholdent to) our first acts? Wonder what you thought about "Strength to Strength" as it touches on Second Acts.
Tony, I haven't read "Strength to Strength" but I just looked it up and I plan to order it -- Second Acts are about so much more than just a job, and it sounds like his book might acknowledge the power of looking at second acts in that way.
I'm not sure why we are devoted to first acts... that's probably a long discussion... but I do think fear of change plays a role.
I don't know if it's a second act because I only worked in publishing for a few years before teaching, but it was a HUGE mindset shift and career change for me. I also think I have a third act in me at some point. 🙂
Third, fourth and fifth acts await! I actually started my legal career as a corporate lawyer, switched into trusts and estates (which required a decent amount of retraining), and now I'm writing -- so although many people think of my writing as a second act, it often feels like a third one for me!
A friend had difficulty posting her response, but she said "I went back to school for my masters in social work at 46; and graduated when I was 48 and am now a forensic social worker for the public defender. I LOVE my job, and sometimes wish I’d found it 20 years ago, but then realized I would never have been able to do this work when I was in my 20s. And I never would have met you!"
Her observation is such a good one -- even if we wish we could have started a successful second act sooner, the rub is that we might not have been successful if we'd pursued that act as a first act... with time comes experience and wisdom that helps us choose better and more satisfying second acts!
Hi Kris. We were classmates at PEA and this was such a great read for me. I felt that you were writing this essay especially for me. I recently retired from a 30 year career in business and I am struggling with my next steps. It's been hard for me to verbalize how I feel as I'm happy to be done working yet now I worry that I will grow tired of inactivity. I've enjoyed being the stay at home and cooking brings me a ton of joy. I don't know where the winds will blow me but I am going to read this essay from time to time to lift my spirits. I'm very happy for you! Thank you, Danny S.
Hi Danny! Of course I remember you, and your response means so much to me -- thank you for reading and commenting! I love cooking, too, and the food we eat now is much better than the super busy parenting years. My poor kids -- who are all now adults -- still tell stories of that one year when the dinner choice was pizza rolls or frozen pizza, and they roll their eyes when I send them pictures of what JP and I eat now (not pizza rolls or frozen pizza!). Keep exploring and trying new things and you will find what matters to you. My next post will be about the importance of failure -- which I feel is relevant for this exploring phase, since not all of it pans out the way we hope (and of course that applies to my writing, as well).
Kristin, very well written and food for thought. Immersed in my own second act, another quote I find throught-provoking is: "In life, the first act is always exciting but it is the second act -- that's where the depth comes in." ...Joyce Van Patten. Very true. Thanks for jump starting the brain cells again !
I've never seen that quote before but I love it!
Needed perspective, Kris. Valid question is: why are we all so devoted (or beholdent to) our first acts? Wonder what you thought about "Strength to Strength" as it touches on Second Acts.
Tony, I haven't read "Strength to Strength" but I just looked it up and I plan to order it -- Second Acts are about so much more than just a job, and it sounds like his book might acknowledge the power of looking at second acts in that way.
I'm not sure why we are devoted to first acts... that's probably a long discussion... but I do think fear of change plays a role.
Also: I just got my notice from the library that The God of the Woods is on hold for me and I am SO EXCITED!!
I don't know if it's a second act because I only worked in publishing for a few years before teaching, but it was a HUGE mindset shift and career change for me. I also think I have a third act in me at some point. 🙂
Third, fourth and fifth acts await! I actually started my legal career as a corporate lawyer, switched into trusts and estates (which required a decent amount of retraining), and now I'm writing -- so although many people think of my writing as a second act, it often feels like a third one for me!
A friend had difficulty posting her response, but she said "I went back to school for my masters in social work at 46; and graduated when I was 48 and am now a forensic social worker for the public defender. I LOVE my job, and sometimes wish I’d found it 20 years ago, but then realized I would never have been able to do this work when I was in my 20s. And I never would have met you!"
Her observation is such a good one -- even if we wish we could have started a successful second act sooner, the rub is that we might not have been successful if we'd pursued that act as a first act... with time comes experience and wisdom that helps us choose better and more satisfying second acts!