The initial departure, whether forced or chosen, is often fraught with a complex tapestry of emotions. There might be relief, a liberation from the pressures that fueled the need for a break. There could be guilt, a sense of abandoning responsibilities or aspirations. For some, it is a period of profound re-evaluation, where the priorities that once seemed immutable shift and dissolve, making way for new understandings of self and purpose. The intervening ten years are not a void; they are a landscape of different experiences. Perhaps it’s a period dedicated to family, nurturing children through their formative years.
Or it could be a deep dive into personal healing, grappling with illness or loss. For others, it might be an exploration of entirely new fields, an unexpected career pivot that broadened horizons and cultivated new skills. These years, seemingly separate from the initial pursuit, are in fact diligently weaving a richer tapestry of life, adding layers of wisdom, empathy, and resilience.
For me, it's my peace.
