CLAIRE, 68 Yrs - CANADA
“I am a Baby Boomer born in 1954. I was married and I have two grown children. I have lived most of my life in and around the Toronto, Ontario area. For most of my working career I worked as a Human Resources professional. I have a Certified Human Resource Leader (CHRL) designation from the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA). I left my most senior role in 2013 as the Vice-President of HR for a manufacturing organization with approximately 2000 employees located across Canada to start my own business. Since that time, I have worked on contract for various organizations on coaching and HR assignments.”
What’s the biggest life transition you have had?
“My biggest life transition began in October of 2016 when my husband of 32 years passed away quite suddenly of cancer. The event turned my life upside down. My house of 25 years was too large to live in on my own. I sold the house and moved into a town house in the same city. I put my work on hold until January of 2017.”
When you rehash this transition again, how can you use it for future life changes?
“I will work hard at believing in myself and move forward at a quicker pace. Although such transitions take time, I think that with more effort, I could have transitioned more quickly.”
“If I was to give advice to anyone in my situation, I would recommend that, no matter their age, he/she find something he/she loves to do and devote as much time to it as he/she feels helpful.”
How did you handle this transition?
“Naturally it was a very sad and lonely time in my life, but I was and continue to be determined to build a new life for myself both personally and professionally. Moving forward has been difficult. Professionally, I am not where I expected to be. Nevertheless, I continue to persevere. Interestingly, through ICF Peer Coaching, I have met many great coaches and made new friends who inspire me. I have enjoyed the work. I wish I had enrolled sooner, but I’m glad I’m doing it now.
What were the emotions felt during this transition?
“Fatigue & loneliness. Also periods of excitement - New opportunities to pursue and new people to meet.”
What is something that you have now that if you could go back, you would tell yourself?
“In retrospect, I would have taken more time for myself and with my adult children. And I would have more faith in my knowledge and abilities.”
What was the best advice you had at the time from a friend, a loved one, or a mentor?
In that my husband passed away at a relatively young age, there were not many people that I knew that had the same experience. As a result, I did not receive much advice. What I did receive was lots of support and suggestions on how I might move forward. The best advice I received was from a close friend who advised me to allow myself to take all the time I needed to move forward.
How did it make you grow? What were the learnings?
“Over the past almost 6 years, I have learned much about living on my own and have expanded my interest in coaching as a career. It has not been an easy change and has taken much longer than I anticipated. Covid has contributed to this. Despite my advancing age (which I choose to ignore), I believe there remains space in the workforce for people like me. I would like to work for another 5 to 7 years as a Career and Life Transition coach. I am nearing the completion of the requirements for my ACC coaching designation from the International Coaching Federation.”