When a Meaningful Role Comes to an End
For the past year, I have been having conversations with former caregivers on the Island Treasures Podcast about life after caregiving. We explored what it means when a role that has shaped daily life, identity, and purpose comes to an end, and what it takes to move forward into a new season.
Today, I find myself reflecting on some of those same questions.
The past seven years have capped off a remarkable journey, and as I look back over more than 40 years of my working life and raising a family, I know it is time to step into retirement and discover what this next chapter might hold.
A Career Built Through Change
Many of you are familiar with my story of tailoring my career choices to support my husband’s career. As a result, I worked for many different employers, including three governments, across several provinces in Canada.
While those experiences brought opportunities to learn, grow, and serve in different capacities, they also required frequent change and adaptation. Looking back, I can see how each role contributed to the person and professional I became.
Finding Stability as a Caregiver Consultant
The past seven years as a caregiver consultant, the first two of which I was also actively working as a social worker, have been the most stable years of my career.
For the first time, I stayed in one place as a small business owner. During these years, I had the privilege of walking alongside many caregivers as they navigated their caregiving journeys, often while supporting a loved one living with dementia. Together, we explored the realities, challenges, questions, and emotions that come with caring for someone you love.
Owning and running a business takes work. Setting up a business and maintaining it comes with its own responsibilities and demands – and a steep learning curve. Yet it has been a deeply rewarding conclusion to my career.
Opportunities to Learn, Teach, and Connect
Many highlights stand out from these past seven years of Alongside Caregiver Consulting.
In addition to personal support for caregivers, I had the opportunity to facilitate support groups, create courses that addressed specific caregiver needs, teach a college course, and partner with three other business owners to bring educational sessions to local elders through Courageous Conversations.
Each experience allowed me to continue learning while helping others gain knowledge, confidence, and support in their caregiving roles.
Six Years Behind the Microphone
One of the most unexpected adventures began during the pandemic when I learned how to host, edit, produce, promote, and manage a podcast for caregivers. My goal was to ensure that caregivers, who may be feeling isolated and alone during periods of lock-down, would have some companionship and encouragement available through the podcast.
For six full years, the Island Treasures Podcast has connected me with courageous caregivers and leaders from across Canada, the United States, and Great Britain. I loved meeting these folks, hearing and highlighting their caregiver stories; and I deeply appreciated the trust my guests placed in me.
They shared not only their vulnerability, struggles, and successes, but also practical tips, resources, and encouragement that could benefit other caregivers walking a similar path.
One of those caregivers, Theresa Wilbanks, eventually became my co-host for a limited-series podcast called “Self-Caregiving Strategies”. The series was warmly received by caregivers and provided an opportunity to focus on practical approaches to self-care and sustainability.
At the heart of the Island Treasures Podcast, however, were the stories of resilience, compassion, and perseverance. Each conversation reinforced my belief that caregivers need opportunities to be heard, supported, and reminded that they are not alone.
Exploring Life After Caregiving
In the final year of the Island Treasures podcast, I introduced the theme Life After Caregiving.
This phase is often overlooked when we think about caregiving, yet it can be one of the most challenging transitions to navigate. Guests spoke about the loss of identity that can follow caregiving, the exhaustion that lingers, the grief, and the work of finding purpose and direction again after a loved one has passed away.
These conversations are a profound reminder that while caregiving eventually ends, the journey of healing and rediscovering oneself continues.
My Own Next Chapter
As I listened to those stories over the past year, I never expected they would resonate so personally. While my situation is different, I am now facing my own transition. Retirement means stepping away from work that has shaped my life, my relationships, and my sense of purpose for many years.
Like many transitions, it brings a mixture of gratitude, reflection, loss, and curiosity about what lies ahead.
With Gratitude
As I enter this next chapter, I do so with deep gratitude.
Thank you to the caregivers who allowed me to walk alongside them in some of life’s most challenging moments. Thank you to the support group participants, podcast guests, community partners, and colleagues who enriched this journey, and me.
Most of all, thank you for the trust you placed in me.
I am choosing to view retirement not as an ending, but as another transition. A transition into my own version of life after caregiving. While I do not know exactly what my retirement will look like, I welcome the opportunity to explore new possibilities, embrace new adventures, and discover my purpose in my life after caregiving.
