My wardrobe choices are bland. Blacks, blues, grays, white shirts. Kinda boring.
Some of the choices are prompted by my profession. Women lawyers don’t dress in colorful garb, although that is changing.
Early in my career, I felt particularly bound to these rules.
Times have changed.
As an older woman returning to work, I am a lot more relaxed.
The smarmy, swarthy looking young male lawyers don’t intimidate me. In fact, it’s easier to discover their weaknesses. Some of them treat me like their mom – an added benefit!
The younger women lawyers are steely. Almost overly-serious, I wish they would relax and realize they can relax and still be a good lawyer. I try to get them to talk about themselves so they relax a little.
It’s more fun this time around.
I’m not out to impress anyone. I’m there to do a good job for my client.
I feel freer to be myself.
When I am in court waiting my turn, it’s like watching a dance.
The judge is the orchestra conductor.
The prosecutor and defense attorneys each play their part.
We have words we say, well scripted parts.
“I’d like to enter my appearance on the part of my client. We waive reading of the indictment and admonition of rights and enter a plea of not guilty.”
Then the prosecutor says, “We tender discovery on behalf of the state.”
We agree in a chorus to set a status date.
The dance has gone on for centuries and the courthouse walls hold the secrets and stories of days past.
Have you left a profession or a job you have loved?
If you go back, it’s different, but fundamentally the same.
The cast of characters changes, but the dance is the same.
And with years under your belt and experience in your brain, you have the courage to wear pink pants.
It’s more fun this time around.
Hi, Christine – Thank you for sharing this very insightful post. I have left a job that I love — for early-ish retirement. Although I currently do not plan to return to my former position, I do view my retirement as my second career! I totally resonate with your point about “more freedom to be yourself, the second time around.” For me, it is so very true! #MLSTL
How often we have lived the “script” written by someone else – being a good mom, a good wife, a good _____.
Now we can be our good SELVES! Love it.
That’s what I love about working in Midlife Christine – we know what we bring to the table – what’s needed and what we can embellish with a little of our own flair. I don’t ever want to be the green 20 something year old on the beginning of my career path – it’s much nicer heading towards the finish line!
#MLSTL 🙂
AND, we don’t have an expiration date!
My husband ROCKS pink pants once or twice a year when he volunteers on a couple of walks raising money for breast cancer. As for me, I’m one of those lucky people who can wear jeans to work every day if I want to, and I usually do. #MLSTL
Adorable! Would love to see a pic of hubby in those pink pants!
I had to chuckle at the pink pants. I bought a pair of pink pants for my birthday this summer. Not black. Not gray. Not blue. Not olive drab. Pink. Not that I’m re-entering the work force (love your insights there as well), but I needed to shake up my retirement wardrobe a bit. And for me, that took some courage, too.
Have you seen any photos of the over 80 ladies who are models and designers? I’ll have to find this page I found and post it. These ladies are COLORFUL – far more than a pair of pink pants!
My late husband was a trial attorney. Sometimes when he had a big case, I’d go and sit in the back of the courtroom and watch the dance. I miss that… and him. #MLSTL Brenda
What a lovely memory to have of your husband. I hope you are still dancing even in his absence.
Hi Christine, although I have traded my career for early Retirement that doesn’t mean that I’ve given up on trying new things. I think that during Midlife & Beyond, we do find the courage to be who we are – even though it took me well into my 50s to realise this. I know it is a cliche but I’m very happy to be me at this time of life (61) and there are a few ideas I have to perhaps start a new career in the not too distant future. This time of life is full of possibilities and we have the courage to go for it! Thank you for sharing and being part of our #MLSTL community and have a beautiful week. xx
“This time of life is full of possibilities and we have the courage to go for it!” I love this. I have been known to say that being over 60 is like another adolescence, but this time with money and good insurance!
I love it, Christine! I am an executive at an insurance company–a fairly conservative lot. Occasionally, I like to have my nails painted a particularly bright color or even with nail art (gasp)! Sometimes I worry that people won’t take me seriously if I have fun nails, but you know what, taking my job seriously doesn’t mean I have to be boring. I’m good at what I do whether I have pail pink nails or bright turquoise. #MLSTL
“Taking my job seriously doesn’t mean I have to be boring.” Well said. I want to be considered interesting!