It took time and a lot of reflection to figure out what I truly wanted for the second half of my life. I completed life assessments, read dozens of books, and worked with an executive and life coach. Leaving a structured corporate career for something less defined has been exciting, a little scary, but ultimately empowering.

I began turning down roles and opportunities my younger self would have considered dream jobs. But through that process, I realized something deeper: it wasn’t just about what I wanted to do, but who I wanted to become. My own life assessment made it clear I needed to invest more in areas I’d long undervalued including my health and faith.

I’ve embraced what’s often called a “portfolio career” which is a self-managed, intentionally diverse approach to how I spend my time and energy. I now organize my life around four key areas:

• Family, friends, and relationships
• Faith, spirituality, and giving back
• Self-care (physical and mental well-being)
• Learning, personal projects and meaningful work

Each of these areas has both annual and decade-long goals, and I reflect on them regularly through daily and weekly journaling. This new chapter isn’t about stepping back but more about stepping forward with clarity, purpose, and balance.