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Anonymous
09/11/20 at 2:54PM UTC
in
Career

How to find the next career step after 11 years of motherhood.

I am so lost!! I need help to figure out what I want to do next. After art school I became a full time sculpteur for many years, then moved on to being a mountain guide, then studied and got my masters degree in Psychology before finaly working for the movie industry as an assistant director. That was in a past life. For the past 11 years I have been taking care of my two children, who have had health issues, development delays and other problems that have kept me incredibly busy, day and night... But finaly they are both going to school and I want to work again. But I don't know what to do. I feel an artist and am attracted to painting, scupting and furniture design. I feel intellectual and love learning. I feel like a writer and would love to write a novel, write a self-help book, or a script, I love helping people so I feel I could become a life coach. But non of all these ideas seem to hit home. In the past, I have followed each passion and feel very blessed to have experienced success in each one of them but I could never keep it up because I have been such a perfectionnist that I overdid it all and it wasn't sustainable. I have changed, and am still changing, and now I am ready to find what I truly am supposed to do. But I don't know where to start. If you have any advise I am all ears. I really need help. Thank you...

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Tardieu Sarah
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38
Psychology + Art + Motherhood = Lots to say!!
09/22/20 at 4:32PM UTC
Hi Paula, Thank you for this feedback. You are right, I have always struggled with the fact that I love different things and haven't found a way to choose or connect the dots together. Maybe the idea is not to choose or connect but do in parallel. It just seems like there isn't enough time to do it all in parallel... I have the impression that I might just not have thought about THE thing that would be just perfect for me...
Paula Bowie
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44
CFO | COO | Chief of Staff | Tech & Ops
09/19/20 at 7:28PM UTC
Perhaps a part of the issue is the frame that you are placing around this question. The question implies that you believe that you are looking for one single thing that you are destined to do. From what you share it appears that you have many areas where you have talent. Do you have to choose one thing? You mention that your children have had some health and developmental challenges. There is a the possibility that you may have to prioritize their needs from time to time. Consider whether a portfolio approach to work might allow you to try several things on for size and enabling you to gravitate to something that really works for you and your commitments over time.
Karen Magarelli
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76
Marketing Director, Seattle, NYC, Virtual
09/16/20 at 3:58PM UTC
Wow! Congratulations on reaching so many outstanding achievements in your life! Please don't ever forget those. As for reentry, I suggest focusing in on the parts of your background that you truly loved and inspired you and why. Perhaps do some volunteer work to help you figure this out and to reestablish yourself in the paid workforce world. Your family will also have to adjust to you not being around as often so consider starting out freelance or PT to help them, especially your partner, adjust to having to take on more household responsibilities. Consider finding a counselor or career coach, too, to help you with all those feelings of "imposter syndrome" you will likely encounter when you do find a position. Opportunities are out there! Start small, though, so you don't overwhelm yourself. Self-care during this huge transition will be important, too. Good luck and please keep us updated on your progress!
Tardieu Sarah
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38
Psychology + Art + Motherhood = Lots to say!!
09/22/20 at 4:27PM UTC
Hi Karen, Thank you for your advise! I think that you are very right about keeping in mind my own balance and not overwhelming myself...
Tardieu Sarah
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38
Psychology + Art + Motherhood = Lots to say!!
09/16/20 at 3:27PM UTC
Hi! Thank you so much for the link. I'm going to read the article. Thank you for taking the time to answer my post!
The Career Counter
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479
Career reinvention for moms
09/16/20 at 3PM UTC
Hello, and I just wanted to say it's exciting that you're taking a big step in your career journey. Like someone else mentioned, remember it's a journey. You've done so much and had so many wonderful experiences which have all brought value to your background. That said, it sounds like you are ready to get back into the paid workforce. There are steps you can take to make the process less scary and overwhelming! I actually specialize in career reinvention for moms, and I recently wrote a blog article about creating your dream job in seven manageable steps (this also includes workforce re-entry). You can check it out here: https://bit.ly/39QUARj Good luck to you in this next chapter!!
Kelli
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1.46k
Helps senior-level women make career changes
09/15/20 at 10:26PM UTC
Hi Tardieu - First, congrats! When I read this I see so much success...in your professional and personal life. Consider this an opportunity to get creative and do some self-discovery. It can be so much fun! My biggest piece of advice is to enjoy the process and take it one step at a time. Let me know if you would like to talk more about this 1:1.
Tardieu Sarah
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38
Psychology + Art + Motherhood = Lots to say!!
09/16/20 at 3:25PM UTC
Thank you Kelli for reading my post and your advice as well as your offer!
Kelli
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1.46k
Helps senior-level women make career changes
09/16/20 at 7:25PM UTC
Of course! I wish you the best.
Jackie Ghedine
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5.76k
Coach for Gen X Women | Jack Russell of Humans
09/12/20 at 12:12PM UTC
Stepping back into your career feels so overwhelming. My suggestion is you break everything down into little steps so that you aren't getting paralyzed by all that has to happen. Remember, this is a discovery process, which means it takes time, work and patience. First, as Beth said, I would make a list. At The Resting Mind we call it the inflate/deflate list. What inflates you: List the tasks that you enjoy doing and would like to do every day. Be as specific as possible (creating presentations, working directly with clients, being in the market, project management, etc). Next write a list of what deflates you (organization, giving presentations, etc). Now start thinking about the people you know, what jobs they have and what fascinates you, what are you curious about, what skills you have that would/could translate. Lastly, list your skills, what are your areas of expertise, what areas need to be sharpened (is there an online course you want to take). This will get you pointed in the right direction to start! Best of luck and enjoy this journey!
Tardieu Sarah
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38
Psychology + Art + Motherhood = Lots to say!!
09/12/20 at 3:27PM UTC
Hi Jackie, Thank you very much for this advice. I will do the lists. It's strange because it's been so long that I am not sure what I love anymore... But thank you so much for taking the time to answer to my post!! I really appreciate.
Amy Kaplan Rosenow, CFA, CFP®
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13
Entrepreneur, investor, COO & working mom
09/11/20 at 7:04PM UTC
Some resources that you may find helpful: https://themomproject.com/ https://preparetolaunchu.com/
Tardieu Sarah
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38
Psychology + Art + Motherhood = Lots to say!!
09/11/20 at 8:25PM UTC
Thank you Amy. I will look into it!! I appreciate the help.
Anita Iskenderian
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112
Administrative Assistant
09/11/20 at 5:49PM UTC
That's quite a varied background. However, I don't really know what to suggest for you to pursue. You've done a number of different things.
Tardieu Sarah
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38
Psychology + Art + Motherhood = Lots to say!!
09/11/20 at 5:59PM UTC
Thank you Anita for reading my post. ?
Stephanie King
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115
Success & Career Coach
09/11/20 at 4:09PM UTC
Hello there! Anonymous had a great suggestion to shift the focus from what to why! A great exercise to gain clarity is called 7 Layers Deep. You start with a goal (for you it might be picking back up a career) and then ask why. After you write out your why, you ask why to this new answer. You do this seven times. As you dig deeper you might discover some deeper themes and goals that’ll help guide your career goals.
Tardieu Sarah
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38
Psychology + Art + Motherhood = Lots to say!!
09/11/20 at 5:59PM UTC
Thank you Stephanie!! I am so thankful that you actually took time to read my post and give me some advise!! I am going to do the 7 layers exercise!!

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