Why “So What? Now What?”
Several of you have asked how I came up with my blog name and what the significance is. So today I answer the question, “Why So What? Now What?”
At the time I started my blog almost two years ago, I was going through a transition of sorts—from a lifelong go-getter with her eye on the next rung of the ladder to someone wavering near the top, unsure of her next step.
The next big goal had always kept me going, but suddenly I wasn’t sure what the next goal was. That close to the top, there are fewer options for upward movement, and I was far enough along in my career—at a company that I love—that I had no interest in changing “ladders.”
Don’t get me wrong—to stick with the ladder metaphor—I wasn’t sitting on the rung twiddling my thumbs. I was busily working from my rung, but my reach was limited. So I started looking for ways outside of my job to fulfill my drive for new heights.
And so my blog was born. Writing a blog fulfilled two purposes: 1) the blog itself was a new challenge; and 2) the subject of the blog was meant to be a “public reprogramming of my GPS.” I had arrived at my destination and now I needed a new one. Thus the name:
- So What? I probably won’t see another formal career advancement, and I’ve finished the important job of raising my children. So what does this early arrival mean for me?
- Now What? After honestly answering the “So What,” what do I do with that information? Where do I go from here?
The questions were jarring. I don’t want to over-dramatize this, but what started out as “What should I do leading up to and into retirement?” turned into “What is my purpose in life?”. If I’m not busy proving and improving myself, earning grades or promotions, raising brilliant children, than how do I measure my worth? If I’m not the good mother, the bright student, the successful executive, than what am I?
If the questions were jarring, the answers—my personal answers—were unnerving. Earning degrees, climbing career ladders, even giving birth aren’t life purposes. Not that any of those things are bad or unworthy goals, but they aren’t life purposes.
Life is a string of experiences, and I’d venture to say that the purpose of life is simply to live, to experience as much as you can, spread a little love and happiness along the way, be kind to yourself and others. I don’t regret the decisions I’ve made or the goals I’ve set. Having the goals helped create the worthwhile experiences I’ve had. In fact, I’m sure I will continue to set goals. I just want to look at them in a different way. It isn’t the arrival, but the journey, that matters.
Author Seth Godin takes it a step further, saying there is no arrival. “Wherever you go, there you are. You’re never going to arrive because you’re already there. There’s no division between the painful going and the joyous arriving. If we let it, the going can be the joyful part. It turns out that arrival isn’t the point, it can’t be, because we spend all our time on the journey.”
I’m not sure where my journey will take this blog next. Much of what I’ve just shared with you in this post came to me only as I was writing it. I haven’t had a chance to fully digest it yet. I know I love blogging, and I love interacting with all of you, so I will continue on, joyful in the going.
Your turn
Have you had an “aha” moment recently? Anything you’d like to share?
What a great post, Christie! I love your attitude behind it, that we enjoy life and the experiences it brings. It is the age old question, what is our worth? Funny, I started blogging seriously at the time I retired, which was at 55 after 32 years with a public org. The career advancements were all but done and the recession made everything worse. Best thing I did was leave at 55 and continue to lecture (my part-time gig I started 4 years before I retired). My dept chair was so happy I could teach more classes and life cannot get much better!
That’s great that you made such a smooth transition to “retirement,” Terri, or maybe your “second career” would be more accurate. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for taking time to comment.
My 40th High School Reunion. “Ah-ha” moment came when I realized everyone looked so different . Did I look different ? The more I thought and took a “peek” in the mirror as I walked pass the closet, yep I’ve changed as well. Little heavier, a little less hair ( ok maybe more then a little) and what was black or blonde hair is now gray. I can count my scars on my body in “feet” and bedtime sounds good by 10:00 pm. Yep, I think I’ve had my “ah-ha” moment.
I love it Larry! At least we are changing together. I’m happy to grow old with you. XOXO
I loved this entry, Christie. So insightful, so beautifully written. I’ve felt for a long time that my purpose is to bring love, joy and beauty to my life and others in my circle of influence. I imagined having grown children would be emotionally difficult because I loved raising my kids, but it has been more unsettling than anything else. And a bit lonely at times. When I actively create, live into my true self and share my gifts while appreciating others’, my life feels just right. Teaching music to junior high students as well as elementary this year has opened up artistic sharing in new and wonderful ways. I love seeing the young people in my classes sparkle as they discover their own gifts through our work together, and it is even more fulfilling for me than it was when I was younger, because I am in a new place in my life. My contributions can have a broader reach than they could when my main focus was, quite rightly, my own children.
Thank you, Connie. I love the way you continue to evolve with the changes in your life and that you are sharing your gifts to make the lives of those you touch richer, as well as your own. The trick for me is not to get lost in the goals and the planning, but to be solidly grounded in the here and now, enjoying the experiences I create and those life hands me. I love you.
You have inspired me to write a post explaining the meaning behind my blog’s name or title. Which, coincidentally, is much the same as the meaning behind yours.
I have always felt certain of my purpose until I woke up one day and what I had always done to fill my life and to make a difference, was no longer an option. Sad day. But new doors open and new directions lead to new purpose.
I look forward to that post, Leslie. Blogging is so great for finding people with whom we share things in common, for being exposed to new people and ideas that we never would have considered, and for working out our own thoughts and feelings. Good luck on your quest. Enjoy the journey!
Ah, now we know and it makes perfect sense! Thank you Christie for linking up and co-hosting at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared your post on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Thanks Dee!
I love how you came up with your name for the blog Christie. I had the same sort of moment when I retired early and then found it wasn’t exactly how I thought it was going to be. I started a blog and have met some wonderful women on my blogging journey. Thanks for sharing and co-hosting #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.
I’ve truly enjoyed your blog, Sue, and our online friendship. I appreciate your willingness to share your experiences and your insights. Happy Monday!
Thank you Christie it has been lovely to connect with you also. Have a beautiful week. xx
Hi Christie, I haven’t had any “aha” moments recently that I can think of. I loved reading about yours though and the birth of your blog. I’m only working 2 days a week doing some home health nursing while waiting for my husband to retire. And I can’t wait for that day to come. The thought is exciting to me; I mean who knows what he and I will find ourselves getting in to! Adventure, I hope!
There is something exciting about looking forward to the unknown, isn’t there? I wish you many happy adventures!
I can identify with your stage in life, yet my story is very different. I recently started the career I had wanted for over thirty years. But now I have just 5 to 10 years to work in that career. This change happened suddenly and I’m not sure what all the future holds. But I do know I’m enjoying this stage of life and looking forward to finding out!
#BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty
Life is full of surprises, isn’t it? And they often turn out to be just the thing we needed. Good luck to you in your new career!