Retirement is often seen as an ending—a slowing down, a settling in, a final chapter. But for me, stepping into semi-retirement was anything but a conclusion. It was an invitation to redefine purpose beyond professional identity, beyond external validation, beyond the expectations I once placed on myself.
For decades, my career shaped much of my existence. It gave me structure, achievements, recognition—all the markers society tells us are essential. But as I stepped into semi-retirement, I found myself asking:
- Who am I beyond my work?
- Where does purpose come from when titles fade?
- What truly fulfills me now, at this stage of life?
At first, the uncertainty was overwhelming. And yet, in the midst of reflection, Transactional Analysis (TA) offered me the lens to navigate this transition with curiosity instead of fear.
Work, Identity & the Scripts We Carry
Before discovering TA, I hadn’t realized how deeply my life script had tied my sense of worth to achievement. Throughout my career, I found validation in helping others, solving problems, and leading teams. My work defined me—but it also distracted me from fully exploring who I was beyond it.
The principles of TA helped me see beyond my conditioned beliefs. It challenged the Parent-Adult-Child ego states within me:
- The “Parent” voice urged me to stay productive, avoid slowing down, keep proving my worth.
- The “Child” voice feared irrelevance, feared losing the structure work provided.
- But the “Adult” voice—grounded in awareness—helped me step back and redefine purpose on my own terms.
Dr. Jessica Leong’s generosity and guidance played a pivotal role in this transition. She helped me see that purpose isn’t attached to a job title or corporate influence—it’s embedded in who we are, how we engage with others, and the way we contribute meaningfully.
Breaking Past Beliefs: My Journey Into the Digital World
For years, I labeled myself a “computer dinosaur”—someone stuck in an era before smartphones, AI, and complex digital ecosystems. Technology felt foreign, intimidating, and frustrating, something I thought I would never fully grasp.
It wasn’t just a lack of skill—it was a deeply ingrained belief that I wasn’t “born for this era,” that younger generations had a natural advantage, and that I simply had to accept my limitations.
But TA teaches that scripts can be rewritten.
With time, patience, and a willingness to step beyond my comfort zone, I started learning. I asked questions, experimented, and slowly began to understand that capability isn’t about when you were born—it’s about your willingness to learn and adapt.
I found myself discovering digital tools for psychotherapy, engaging in online conversations, even building a presence in spaces I once feared. I became curious instead of resistant, and that curiosity allowed me to break through years of doubt.
Learning technology in my 60s wasn’t just about acquiring new skills—it was about proving to myself that self-imposed limitations are often illusions.
Living Fully Beyond Work
What does this new chapter look like?
- Teaching & Mentoring: Sharing the wisdom TA has given me, guiding others through their own transitions.
- Deepening Relationships: Prioritizing meaningful connections with family, friends, and colleagues.
- Exploring My Own Growth: Writing, reflecting, challenging old patterns, embracing new experiences.
- Stepping Into the Digital Era: Engaging with technology, digital networks, and modern platforms to expand my impact as a psychotherapist.
And most importantly, continuing to help others—because while work as I once knew it has shifted, the calling to support and uplift remains timeless.
Purpose is never lost—it is reimagined.
At 63, I am stepping into a life that is fully alive, fully present, fully mine.