Hi. Welcome to Bloom Anywhere. I'm Gwen Moran, a writer, editor, author, and problem-solver. My goal is to share information, ideas, and resources to help you overcome obstacles, reach your goals, and get more joy out of life, even when things are messy. Thanks for joining me. (If you got this from a friend, subscribe here: Bloom Anywhere.) I'd love your feedback and suggestions for future topics. Please send me an email: connect@bloomanywhere.com.
Recently, two people I care about lost their jobs. That’s always scary, but in knowledge work professions like media and technology, which are in a state of flux, knowing what to do next can be challenging. Layoffs are happening regularly. Some media outlets are experimenting with the use of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI), with sometimes disastrous results. And these are coveted sectors to begin with—lots of folks are lining up for jobs, and the competition can be fierce.
It’s not uncommon for me to hear from friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who want or need to change how they spend their days. For many, it’s a scary time, whether they’re doing so voluntarily or not. Many of us derive a hefty measure of self-worth from our day jobs. Change affects the equation by which we determine who we are and our “worth” in the world.
The fear isn’t misplaced. I’ve reinvented myself a few times. I left the corporate world to build a small business in my 20s. When my daughter was born, I reinvented myself as a freelance writer, despite everyone saying it was hard to make a decent living that way. (It is, but it’s also more than possible.) Each time, it required risk, hard work, and a measure of compromise.
While there’s plenty of rah-rah reinvention content out there—not necessarily a bad thing—there are also some reinvention realities that shouldn’t be ignored. Here are some questions and considerations that can help set you on the path to get what you need.
Are you in "survival mode" or "thrive mode"?
Changing jobs because you want something new and have had the time and space to create a plan to make it happen is a much different place to start than if you’re blindsided by a layoff. If you’re in thrive mode, you may have more freedom to dream big. However, survival mode may leave you panicked about income, health insurance, paying for expenses like your mortgage or college tuition, etc.
We all find ourselves in survival mode sometimes. You need to do what is necessary to meet your basic needs. The first priority here is stability. (Remember the issue about cracks in the foundation from a few weeks ago?) That doesn’t mean you need to make decisions based on fear, but you may need to make a compromise or two to fix your foundation so you can devote most of your energy to building instead of firefighting. The key here is to not let comfort or fear stop you from proceeding with your reinvention once you’ve stabilized the situation.
What do you really want? No—really.
As you begin thinking about your reinvention, you should dream big. But you also need to understand why that outcome is attractive to you. I get quite a few inquiries from folks who want to reinvent themselves as writers. But when you ask them about why, they don’t have a reason. They don’t understand that writing can be very difficult, frustrating, and filled with rejection. And, yes, there are some people who really want to be writers because they have a story they want to get out into the world or something to say, and that’s the way they really want to do it. They’re ready for the sacrifices a writing career involves.
However, others may be more attracted to the perception of writing—the flexibility of working from home and the questionable glamour of having their name on something they’ve written. When we dig into it a bit, there may be other, more fulfilling ways to share their stories or find the recognition and flexibility they crave without the challenges of choosing a writing career that would never make them happy.
Shed your ego and keep asking, “Why do I want this?” With some introspection and honesty, you’ll be able to peel back the layers and find out what will truly be fulfilling to you.
What will it take to get there?
We all start at different points on the reinvention path. Let’s say you’ve decided that you’ve really wanted to be a doctor for most of your life. That’s a noble goal and one that could be enormously fulfilling, both professionally and personally. At the same time, the current cost of medical school falls roughly between $268,000 and $363,000. If you needed to incur a crushing amount of debt to pay for medical school, how would that affect your life? Could you ever pay it off? Even with the job you want, would you be able to manage the rigors and the low pay of the early years while meeting your other obligations?
The cost may be well worth it to help heal people and get them to optimal health for their specific situation. At the same time, it’s also true that new obstacles emerge in our paths that may change the journey’s toll and outcome.
What will "success" look like?
Spend a little time visualizing yourself after the reinvention. What are you doing? How do you feel? How will you know when you’ve “made it”? These may seem like obvious questions, but there are folks who have been working in their professions for years or decades and still don’t feel like they’ve arrived. When you have a clear understanding of what you’re trying to accomplish, you’ll have a better idea of when you get there.
Be aware, but also be bold
There are other questions, too, depending on the person and situation. What will keep you motivated? What obstacles do you face? But these will get you started on a vision. And if they sound like someone raining on your parade, you might want to think about why. For anyone who has a burning desire and a solid plan, a few questions shouldn’t get in the way of their dreams. These questions aren’t meant to be discouraging. I will never advise giving up on dreams. It’s also true that I have seen people use a “go for it” mentality and regret what it cost them in the long run. Be sure you are going after your reinvention goals with eyes wide open.
And it’s also important to remember that reinvention can take many forms. It’s not just schooling or a new career—it could mean launching a creative or advocacy project or even downsizing your life and choosing a new path. Sometimes it’s setting new boundaries, traveling solo, or finally making time for the things you’ve always said you’d do “someday.” Reinvention doesn’t mean chasing trends or approval. You’re creating an authentic life.
Tell me about your reinvention.
Start your reinvention with curiosity untethered to outcomes. What energizes you? What lights you up? What longing has been pushed off or ignored because it seemed impractical, indulgent, or out of reach? Those are good places to start. What does it look like? I’d love to know more—my email address is connect@bloomanywhere.com.
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