Hi Reader,

​

I used to wonder about those retirees who become Walmart greeters. Was their social security check not enough? Were they bored at home? Did they just want to be around other people?

​

After all, it doesn’t seem so bad to get paid to simply wave to people, even if it’s about as prestigious as the job they started with as a teenager.

​

Maybe it’s one of life’s “full circle” moments…like the one I’m going through right now.

​

I told you all that I recently started a new job. I haven’t had a j.o.b. in over 25 years. I’ve had many gigs where I worked for someone else as a contractor, but I haven’t been anyone’s employee since 2000.

​

In 2000, I was 8 months pregnant when I found out the department I had created and directed, a clearinghouse for innovation called Great Ideas, lost its funding. I was laid off and about to go on 5 months’ maternity leave, so I decided to take a leap I’d been dreaming of for years: leave the corporate world and start my own business.

​

But after 25 years of running my own business(es)--and 5 years of post-pandemic entrepreneur life—I wanted a break, to step back into the world of schedules, co-workers, leaving the house, and a steady paycheck. See if the grass was greener back on the work-for-someone-else side.

​

I’m in it now and I’ll report back to you on my findings in a couple of months…

​

But the full circle part of this story? I’m working in the same department I started in in 1984, for the same company I was working for when I got laid off 25 years ago. I’m in a different location, otherwise I think I’d be living in a constant state of déjà vu. 😵‍💫

​

Anyway, the deeper part of this tale is that I told myself when I was 14 and wondering which path to take in life—artist, piano teacher, or fashion designer—that I could do something new every 10 years. I figured that was at least 7 different “things” I could be when I grew up. Some decades, I did more than one, so I’ve actually had 9 different careers since then:

🎨 Graphic artist

🧑‍💻 Healthcare admin worker

📈 Project manager

🈺 Business process engineer

💆 Birth doula

🧑‍🏫 Doula trainer

🤝 Marketing consultant

✍️ Writer

👏 Writing coach

​

What I love about how my plan worked out is that it allowed me to follow interests I didn't even have at that time. I didn’t know I’d get interested in healthcare. I hadn’t had a baby yet to discover my passion for birth. And I didn't know that an interest I had but which wasn’t on my list—writing—would take the shape of copywriting, authoring books about doulas, and coaching writers. But it did.

​

Back when I was 14, I had no idea what it would be like to ramp up a new career every 10 years, which is daunting (another reason I returned to working for someone else). You’re reinventing yourself in all areas of your life each time you start a new endeavor—finances, relationships, identity, and lifestyle. I had the stamina for this in my 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. Not so much in my 60s.

​

I also didn’t think I’d ever circle back to any prior roles, like I’m doing now. But I love bringing all the skills from past careers into my new role, and I have so much appreciation for being part of a team instead of doing all the things by myself. It’s a nice surprise.

​

​

Wherever you are at, I hope my story will remind you:

1. You don’t have to (I’d venture to say you WON’T) be one thing in your life
2. Be open to turning new interests into new careers
3. It’s okay to go back to something you did before if you enjoyed it
4. Changing back and forth from employee to entrepreneur provides unique perspectives that can help you in both roles

​

If you would like some free coaching around your next career move, how to market the work you love, feeling burned out and not sure what to do, or leveraging your work through writing, schedule a free consultation with me for insights and options.

​

​

Following your interests, heart, and passion is the key to happiness. And, as you've learned from me, you don't have to pick just one.

​

Keep following your passions…all of ‘em,

​

Carrie

​

Author, ​So You Want to Be a Doula​​

​​​Website​​​​

​​See all past issues​​

​

P.S. Doula Magic, a live 3-hour course for anyone considering a career in the helping or healing professions, is coming up on June 25. Use coupon code DOULALOVE to register for FREE. 🪄 Get the details and sign up here. 🪄