Career Pivots (and the Messy Middle of Starting Over)

Career pivots in midlife rarely look the way we imagined. They aren’t always bold leaps or passion projects. Sometimes they’re forced. Sometimes they’re financial. Sometimes they’re about family, health, or survival. And almost always, they come with a heavy identity question:Who am I now?In this episode, Erin and Jennie interrupt the schedule to talk honestly about career pivots—why so many women are facing them right now, and why they feel so emotionally charged. From leaving dream jobs, to being told to “get a real job,” to navigating guilt, money fears, and redefining success, this conversation goes far beyond résumés.Erin shares her journey from the U.S. Air Force to earning a PhD, becoming an “accidental entrepreneur,” landing her dream role, and then stepping away when her family needed her most. Jennie opens up about building a successful boutique, navigating divorce, money mindset struggles, and the judgment that comes with starting over in your 40s.Together, they unpack the grief, fear, relief, and possibility that live inside career pivots—and why pausing matters just as much as planning.Why career pivots are coming up for so many women right nowErin’s path from the Air Force to academia—and the shock of being labeled “overeducated and under-experienced”Becoming an “accidental entrepreneur” when the traditional path doesn’t workCOVID, motherhood, burnout, postpartum anxiety/depression, and invisible laborThe emotional toll of leaving a role you worked hard for—even when it’s the right decisionJennie’s transition from stay-at-home mom to building Curated ClosetDivorce, finances, and the fear of starting over midlifeMoney mindset, judgment, and the pressure to “get a real job”Redefining success on your own termsWhy women need to stop bashing women for choosing different paths“Rejection is redirection” — and why stillness creates clarityIf today’s episode stirred up feelings of being stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself—you’re not alone. And you don’t have to navigate this season by yourself.We wholeheartedly recommend Sheila Haugh, a Self-Trust and Internal Family Systems (IFS) Coach, whose work is deeply aligned with everything we talk about on this podcast. Sheila helps women slow down, listen to their inner world, and rebuild trust with themselves—especially during seasons of transition like midlife, career pivots, and identity shifts.✨ Special offer for our listeners:Free discovery session40% off your first session with code midlifenowwhat🔗 Book your session here:sheilahaugh.as.me/signature-session(This is a beautiful place to land if you’re craving clarity, grounding, or a gentler way forward.)Career pivots aren’t failures—they’re often responses to changing values, capacity, or life circumstances.You can feel grief and relief at the same time. Both are valid.Success doesn’t have to be defined by a paycheck or title—especially in midlife.Overwhelm isn’t laziness; it’s often your nervous system asking for safety.When possible, don’t make decisions from scarcity. Pause long enough to identify what brings joy and alignment.What career pivot are you navigating—or dreaming about?Send us:“I really want to ______, but I’m scared because ______.”Or: “My career pivot was ______, and what helped me was ______.”We may share your story anonymously (unless you tell us otherwise).📩 Email: [email protected]📱 Instagram: @midlife.nowwhatAnd if you’d love to hear live conversations about career pivots—or even join us on a future episode—send us a DM and tell us!midlife, career pivots, career change, identity shift, motherhood, working moms, entrepreneurship, burnout, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, money mindset, divorce, starting over, self-trust, IFS coaching, redefining success, women supporting women, nervous system regulation, purpose