Is this your last half term?

50+, Age Diversity, Career planning, Compelling LinkedIn Profiles, Flexible Working, Future of Work, Job Search, Love Work

Prom Night

It’s the end of an era and the beginning of something new

It feels like summer has arrived. The exams are in full swing, proms are happening, school bags are gathering dust and parents across the country are slowly absorbing a truth that hits harder than expected:

They’re not going back.

Maybe your child has finished school except for exams, will be heading to university, starting an apprenticeship, launching into work or taking a gap year, whatever their next step, this is a huge moment and a big change. For them, it’s exciting. Although the school community to which they have belonged to for so long will be gone. For us, it can feel a little untethering. We have been part of the school community too.

Big endings, bigger feelings

In my house, it’s A-Level season. It’s intense, emotional and a little surreal. My son had his prom last week, a wonderful celebration marking the end of his school life. Soon the exams will end and then he’ll be off, holidaying, relaxing and preparing for the next chapter, his degree apprenticeship, I won’t see him much over the summer. That moment when he walks out the door and doesn’t come back in the same way, it’s monumental.

Whether your child is flying the nest shortly or this change is just around the corner, it’s OK to feel sad. Do you know the Kübler-Ross change curve? It describes shock, denial, sadness, acceptance, hope and eventually growth and the emotions we experience when going through a change. But it doesn’t make it any easier in the moment.

So what now? What about you?

In all the whirlwind of celebration, endings and goodbyes, you might suddenly find yourself asking a quiet but important question:

“What do I want to do now?”

If as well as working, your identity has revolved around school runs, packed lunches, revision support (and yes, some nagging), then this can feel like a seismic shift. You don’t stop being a parent, of course. But the role changes. The routine changes. And you can feel really lost.

You might be wondering:

  • Do I want to step up at work?
  • Do I want a new challenge?
  • Am I ready for something different?
  • What do I want from this stage of my life?
  • Do I want a gap year?

Navigating the Next Stage

Whether you’ve stepped away from your career to raise your children or balanced both and feel ready for change, now is your moment to think about what’s next for you.

Here are some key reflections to start with:

Ask yourself:

  • What are my priorities now? (Career, business, hobbies, flexibility, freedom?)
  • Where am I now – personally, professionally, financially?
  • What do I enjoy? What drains me? What excites me?
  • What am I great at? What are my proudest achievements?
  • What plans do other people in my life have? How long will you work for?

From here, you can begin to map your next steps. Complete your Brand You Compass

Exploring options

Thinking about a career refresh or change? Consider:

  • Is now the time to re-enter an organisation?
  • Do I want to pivot into a new sector or retrain?
  • Would flexible working, a portfolio career or entrepreneurship suit me better now?
  • Which companies align with my values and goals?
  • What do I want to spend more / less time doing?

Use LinkedIn, speak to others in your network, and take your time.

September is a new beginning for you too

While September often feels like “back to normal,” this year, it’s a new normal. The house might be quieter. The mornings might feel emptier. But this is also your opportunity to start a fresh chapter, one where you are just as much a priority as your children. #ItsYourTurnNow

So take this summer to reflect. To breathe. To explore. Whether you want to:

  • Reignite your career
  • Launch a passion project
  • Take a well-earned break
  • Or simply figure it out slowly…

Do it with intention.

You’re not alone

Big life changes are easier with support. At Career Voyage, we help people just like you step into a new future with confidence. Through our Be Inspired, Get Hired community, we provide expert guidance, motivation and practical tools to help you take your next step or you can join our Brand You Future programme which helps you  decide your future destination for the next 5 years.

Send me a DM and receive your FREE guide – “5 Secrets to Getting Hired.” And you can start to explore your future over the next 4 weeks before the summer holidays.

This summer, invest in you. Because your next stage matters just as much as theirs.

#CareerDevelopment #EmptyNester #ReinventYourself #LeadershipJourney #CareerTransitionsProm Night