Success Story: Identity is Mine to Create

Retirement was supposed to be a reward. It didn’t feel like that for me at all. I felt lost. I didn’t know who I was without the work.

When I started coaching, I thought I needed help figuring out what to do next. I was asked a

question that completely shifted my perspective: “What if your identity isn’t something you’ve lost, but something you create?" I had never thought about it that way before. I guess I assumed my identity was something built over time through my accomplishments, my responsibilities, my role in the world. Of course that’s true, but who I am isn’t what I do or in this case, what I did. My perspective about who I am changed. It was kind of a like a light bulb moment for me.

Coaching helped me really get in touch with what my values. I was also able to begin to

prioritize them and that was so powerful for me. I started to think about what brings me joy,

energy, and fulfillment. If you had asked me that question before I would have talked about my

kids and work. I would never have considered designing a life around what really lit me up. I

started to really like the idea of becoming someone I knew and someone I wanted to meet.

Coaching helped me see that I wasn’t starting over at all. I didn’t have to cling to an old version of myself (a version I created) just because it was familiar. I had the opportunity to shape this next chapter with intention and create an identity that reflected not just who I was, but who I wanted to be.

Now, I feel more grounded and more at peace with this transition. I don’t need a job title to

define me. I get to define myself. That is the most freeing realization of all.

These are real stories from real clients. Names and some details have been removed to protect confidentiality.