I accidentally retired from my decades-long career. The adjustment came with a larger identity shift.
My retirement didn't come with a farewell party. I'd been working full-time for decades and then the work just kind of fizzled out.
Ellen Acconcia, a marketing and PR professional since the age of 19, decided to retire from her decades-long career without fanfare. The author and her husband relocated from Washington, DC, to a small coastal town in North Carolina shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. She had initially believed her position could be transitioned to remote work, but upon learning her role required an in-office presence, she resigned.
Initially, Acconcia found herself questioning her identity, unsure of who she was without her career. Each day brought a feeling of uncertainty, until one morning, as she listened to the laundry machine hum, she pondered, "Now what?" She had recently begun referring to herself as "a retired marketing and PR professional."
Transitioning to a new lifestyle was far from easy. After some trial and error, she found work at a small marketing firm and later a part-time, remote communications role with a nonprofit newsroom. However, both roles fell short of her expectations and ultimately led to her departure. Despite these challenges, she eventually found a new normal, focusing on her writing, exercise, and social activities.
While some may wonder if a traditional retirement ceremony would have made a difference, Acconcia believes that her identity change is permanent. The author now prioritizes travel, hobbies, and spending time with friends, embracing her newfound freedom and fulfillment.
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