More women in their 50’s and 60s are waking to their “Second Spring''.  A time when life's purpose is refreshed. Wisdom and experience are celebrated. Health and vitality are claimed. Satisfaction and joy are experienced deeply. 

This post is the first in a series of “Second Spring Stories” featuring women at all stages of their Second Spring.

Sandra Reimer is an accomplished writer, editor, and communications strategist. Starting her freelancing business 17 years ago, Sandra’s schedule was flexible around the needs of her children while they grew. She was the “day-to-day” parent: taking kids to school, picking them up, coaching soccer, making meals, and keeping track of everything to do with the kids. “But,” Sandra reminded us, “that comes to an end.”

Now Sandra is experiencing a rebirth of her career and her life’s passion. She shares how she entered her Second Spring, what she’s doing with her rejuvenated energy, and what she has found most helpful during this time.

This is Sandra’s Second Spring Story:

My Second Spring really started as I was moving from being the day-to-day parent into having my children leave home. I was anticipating my daughter moving on to the next phase of her life, and I started to think ahead - that’s going to be a transition, and I’m going to have some feelings about that. 

There was anticipation and joy that some of my headspace would free up. I’d have some emotional space without always needing to think about what’s going on with her and her schedule.

But there was also some grief.. I really enjoyed parenting, and I had made it a priority in my life. Anticipating a schedule that was my own was something really different, and it was something I had to think about. What was I going to do with that additional time and mental energy?

My daughter will tell you that I am  “extra” – I have an intense personality and I have a lot of passion and energy. I needed a way to channel that so I didn’t drive the people around me crazy. I want to create meaning around me and do good in the world.

I’ve built a successful professional career as a freelancer working with visionaries. People who are creating and inventing and have a lot of good they want to do in the world, but maybe they’re not so great at promoting themselves or knowing exactly how to raise funds or sell products and services. I have the privilege and the joy to multiply their work by telling their stories in a compelling way.

As I anticipated my daughter leaving home, I revived a dream that I’d had for a long time. I wanted to help other freelancers be successful doing what they love to do so that they could  earn a sustainable income. I experienced a shift in my freelance career when I discovered my superpowers and collaborated with other freelancers working from their strengths.

I took the idea of collaborating on a small level, and I’m amplifying it among  a larger network of freelancers who collaborate on client projects. I gave “birth” to this online freelance community a little more than a year ago. These days,  I pour my mothering energy into nurturing my new “baby” CoLabourNation.  

It’s been hard emotional work creating something from nothing. When you’re creating and inventing – there’s a ton of failure. The learning process is all about experimenting and failing until you find something that sticks. It can be discouraging. You need other people to say, “your vision is solid – what you’re trying to do is really good. You need to stick with it and just keep going.” 

In this season of my life,  I have a lot of value to offer. I have hard-won lessons, wisdom, contacts, and relationships that I purposefully developed. I feel full of resources that I don’t want to keep to myself. I also want to challenge myself and contribute at a higher level during an explosive, generative and creative season of my life.

Having a community around you is so important. I was part of a women’s business community where I had the support of other women entrepreneurs. On tough days, they helped me think through things I was struggling with. It doesn’t have to be a formal group, but finding women at a similar stage who believe in you, can cheer you on, and who ask hard questions is invaluable.

------------------------------------------------

Inspired by Sandra’s story?
Me too. I loved her courage in reinventing and rebirthing her dream.

If you’ve become more reflective and are looking to create a change in your life, I encourage you to join our Second Spring Circle. This five session, guided workshop series makes space to explore what having a second spring means to each of us. Through conversation about the age and stage we share, a deep theme emerges. Having this time together in a safe and supportive group allows us to think about this second spring and what we’re collectively going through.

Registration is limited. To learn more, or to email me to register click here.