Who are we if not what we do for a living? This came up during a session with a client and again when speaking to a friend of mine. It stuck with me. I couldn't shake the feeling of immense pressure that occurs when the career is the identity. Our true identity is within us and our career, or what we do with our lives, is just that and nothing more. It's an action, but not an identity. I filmed the video below while out on a run because the information was looping in my head and I knew I needed to just stop and let it out. (Practice honoring myself.)
Click on the image to watch the video.
Notes from the video summary:
In our current culture we often find ourselves identified by what we do for a career. As children, we are always asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" As teenagers we take "career tests" that tell us what career we are "best suited" for, as in, this is what you should be. As adults, when we meet people, we are often asked right away, "What do you do for a living?"
So what happens when you are fired, laid-off or retire? Who are you if you no longer do the work that our culture used to define who you are? Many of us feel untethered, left adrift and lost. Especially if this was not something you planned.
Lately, in life coaching, "I got laid off" has been one of the big factors impacting the people coming to me for help. But these same feelings of anxiety and fear can happen when transitioning from college to career or career to retirement as well.
Life's transitions can be, at the very least unsettling. And at the most, completely terrifying. As described in the video above, there are ways to manage and cope with the transitional chapters of our life. I hope you take a moment to take care of you.
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