Feeling a little ‘betwixt’?

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Feeling a little ‘betwixt’?

So, today I’m putting out there a new spin on an old word – ‘twixt’. For me, it’s the opposite of a tween and nicely sums up my current state of being betwixt and between in my life. It’s a word that has been brewing in my mind over the last 12 months, which has been a time where I’ve had quite a few changes in my life and some space to ponder life, the universe and everything….not really, I just have random thoughts 🙂

I am 50, I am menopausal and like everyone else, I am many different things to many different people. I am a wife, I am a mother of tween and teen girls, and I am a daughter of an 80-year-old mother. That means I am part of the sandwich generation. As anyone who is part of this generation will tell you, it can be challenging, rewarding and demanding and can leave you feeling like you are giving to everyone else and not getting a great deal back. I am also a sister and an aunt, and a friend and colleague to a fantastic network of very special and talented people.

But, even though I am all of these things to all of these different people, I still don’t really know who I am or what my purpose is or what I want to be when I grow up. Maybe I’m having an identity crisis or a mid-life crisis? I find myself in that space between finishing up my working life and moving into retirement. But I’m not done just yet on the work front, I think I’m just at a loose end. As my girls keep telling me, I’m only half way there…My Nanna lived till 99.7, so who knows….

I’ve done lots of fantastic things during my career but (as I said in an earlier blog) I recently made the decision to step back from full-time work so I could focus on family, friends and my health. I was working in a mad environment, with lots of long hours involved and loads of responsibility and pressure. I had morphed into a ‘cranky old bag’ and, as my husband and girls will agree, I was not much fun to be around. It wasn’t that I couldn’t do the job, it was just that I didn’t want to anymore. I ditched being worried about people judging me for walking away from work. I didn’t care if they thought I couldn’t handle my job. With the support of my fabulous husband, I took the brave step to walk away.

So, at the around the 1 year mark, I wonder has it brought me happiness? Am I fulfilled? Am I doing what I’m meant to be doing? I don’t know!!! I get to drop off and pick up the girls up from school most days and run them around to all their after school commitments – so tick on that front. I get to the gym a few times a week – so again tick on that front. I am around if my mum needs me, so another tick. I am generally free to see my friends, so that’s really special. I work part-time now with an awesome bunch of people and for a fantastic local, innovative business, so that’s wonderful. But I feel like something is lacking. I feel like I have something to offer but I can’t put my finger on it.
I’m not sure what the next 50 years will bring, I guess it’s an evolving story.

Watch this space….

By Louise Gordon

If there is anyone else out feeling ‘betwixt’, start a conversation with Louise on either FB, Insta or LinkedIn and share your thoughts on the matter! Im sure Lou would love to hear from you.

Ursula is challenge driven, and thrives in busy environments.  With over 27 years’ experience as an EA/PA, Ursula has worked with and supported some of Australia's most recognised and rewarded individuals.   Ursula has provided crucial support to politicians, boards and government department heads during some intense periods during her career, earning a reputation for resilience and as an EA that can “handle the heat”. She has an exceptional capacity for organisation, multi-tasking, and prioritising, she is passionate about providing the highest levels of customer service and being a wingwoman to her executive.   Ursula understands just how vital an effective EA can be for their manager and their organisation.  She is passionate about encouraging other EAs to understand their organisation, nurture relationships in and outside the business, learn and develop, and cultivate a “can do” attitude.   Born in Canberra, Ursula is one of six children to migrant parents, she initially struggled to keep up having to attend English speaking classes and learned much of what she knows today from trial and error. Ursula has a Diploma of Business Management, was one of five finalists in the 2019 Canberra Women in Business – Business Woman of the Year category. She has lived on the Sunshine Coast and prefers Canberra (!) is married with one daughter and a gorgeous Kelpie named Tess.

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