I retired early at 53 to pursue a childhood love: painting. But now after three years, while I have really enjoyed developing my skills as an artist, I feel that I am not really contributing the way I should. My husband thinks I’m crazy when I mention the possibility of going back to work. What are your thoughts about this?
~ Joan T.
There are several questions that I invite you to reflect upon in words and/or images:
What is it about pursuing your childhood love that stopped? Did you cultivate the skill but not the soul of your art? Are you cutting off your passion to sabotage yourself or prevent you from becoming more visible, more vulnerable?
Do you see your painting as a contribution? If you don’t, why not? And what can we do about changing that belief?
Your husband questioning your decision makes me think that he sees that you have a real talent, a gift to be nurtured. Why do you want to give up something that matters to you so much and is so deeply connected to who you are?
All of these inquiries need to be explored before you take one more step away from your childhood love.
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