On identity, aging, authenticity, and letting go of roles that no longer fit. It occurred to me recently that many of us spend a good part of our lives trying on different versions of ourselves. When we’re young, we don’t really know who we are yet. We only know what fascinates us, what impresses us, what the world rewards, and what kind of people we think we’re supposed to become. So, we “try on” different lives. As a kid, I wanted to be a marine biologist because I was obsessed with Jacques Cousteau. At that age, our dreams are often
You know how when you’re packing for a trip—any trip, really—there are two categories: clothes and everything else? Back in my 20s and 30s, heading out for a fun weekend with friends, my bag was 90% cute clothes—trendy skirts, dresses, tops, bathing suits, shorts—and maybe a toothbrush, toothpaste, and shampoo. Boom. Done. Recently, I’ve noticed a not-so-subtle shift. The amount of clothes and shoes has quietly shrunk to make room for… everything else. Bathroom products (which I will not inventory for the sake of my self-esteem), charged devices (phone, laptop, electric toothbrush, wireless speaker, multiple headphones), hair tools, Yeti mugs
Why audiences don’t want polished presentations—they want someone who’s actually done the work In retirement, I’ve unexpectedly found myself being called upon as a speaker at national industry trade shows, conferences, and expos. No one is more surprised than I am. I never took Speech in high school, never performed in a play, never presented to a boardroom full of executives. The only meetings I led were daily production meetings at my company—and even those I eventually handed off to someone better at it than me. Yet now, I’m standing in front of 30, 40, sometimes 50 industry peers who’ve