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When my daughter was 2 years old, she declared she was going to be a doctor. At first, I chalked it up to toddler enthusiasm, but as the years passed, her certainty never wavered. At 7, she is still as sure as ever. Watching her confidence in her future is both heartwarming and, if Im honest, a little bewildering, because I never had that kind of clarity. While some people seem to know their path from the start, I didnt fully understand what I wanted to do with my life until I was almost 40. For years, I thought something was wrong with me for not having a clear, unwavering passion. But Ive come to see that questioning, evolving, and pivoting are not signs of failure; theyre part of growth. In fact, reexamining our careers in midlife is not just normalits a healthy and expected part of development. The idea that we should have everything figured out by our 30s (or even our 40s and beyond) is a myth that ignores how we evolve as people over time. So if youre feeling uncertain about what comes next, consider it an opportunity rather than a crisis. Why its normal to question your path in midlife Developmentally speaking, midlife is a natural time for reevaluation. Psychologist Erik Erikson identified this stage as one of generativity vs. stagnation, where people seek to create meaningful contributions in their work, families, and communities. This is a time when many individuals begin asking themselves questions like, “Is what I’m doing making a difference?” or “Am I spending my time in a way that truly matters to me?” These questions are not just existential musingsthey are signposts for change and growth. {"blockType":"creator-network-promo","data":{"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2025\/03\/acupofambition_logo.jpg","headline":"A Cup of Ambition","description":"A biweekly newsletter for high-achieving moms who value having a meaningful career and being an involved parent, by Jessica Wilen. To learn more visit acupofambition.substack.com.","substackDomain":"https:\/\/acupofambition.substack.com","colorTheme":"salmon","redirectUrl":""}} Beyond Erikson, adult development theorists such as Robert Kegan and Daniel Levinson have explored how our internal meaning-making systems evolve over time. Kegans theory of adult development suggests that we move through different stages of self-authorship, shifting from external definitions of success (such as societal expectations or familial approval) to a more internalized, self-directed sense of purpose. Similarly, Levinsons work on the seasons of life describes midlife as a period of transition where individuals reassess their careers, relationships, and priorities, often leading to transformative change. Many of us made career choices in our early 20sat a time when we had far less life experience. The work that once felt like the right fit may no longer align with who we are today. Perhaps we followed a career path out of practicality, societal expectations, or a narrow understanding of our own strengths. But as we gather more knowledge, experiences, and wisdom, it makes sense that our perspectives shift. Rather than seeing this questioning as a problem, we should recognize it as a signal that we are evolving. External factors can also play a role in prompting career reflection. Life changes such as becoming a parent, caring for aging parents, health challenges, or simply gaining a new perspective after years in the workforce can all lead to a reevaluation of priorities. The rise of remote work, the gig economy, and shifting industry demands mean that career paths today are less linear than they were for previous generations. What used to be considered a job for life has given way to a more dynamic, adaptable approach to work. What to do if youre seeking clarity If youre questioning your career path, here are some ways to explore your next steps with curiosity and intention: Revisit your values I will continue to shout this from the rooftops! Interrogate what truly matters to you at this stage of life. Are you craving more creativity, impact, autonomy, or balance? Often, when dissatisfaction creeps in, its because theres a misalignment between our values and our daily work. Take time to reflect on what is most important to you nownot what was important when you first started your career. Notice what energizes you Pay attention to the tasks or conversations that make you feel engaged and alive. What aspects of your current or past roles have brought you joy? Sometimes the clues to a fulfilling career change are already present in your daily life, waiting to be noticed. Journaling about your best work experiences can help identify patterns and strengths that you might want to build upon. Hire a coach This isnt a sales pitch. Im suggesting this, because I see firsthand how transformational coaching can be. A skilled coach can help you uncover patterns, challenge limiting beliefs, and create a vision for your next chapter that is aligned with who you are becoming. Coaching is not about giving you answersits about helping you ask better questions, gain clarity, and take action in a way that feels authentic to you. If youre feeling stuck, working with a coach can be an invaluable investment in your future. Experiment with small shifts You dont have to quit your job overnight to explore a new direction. Consider small experimentsvolunteering, taking a class, freelancing, or exploring side projects that align with your interests. These lower-risk explorations allow you to test new possibilities without the pressure of an immediate, all-in commitment. Talk to people who inspire you Reach out to those who are doing work that intrigues you. Informational interviews, networking conversations, or simply reconnecting with people whose careers you admire can provide insight and inspiration. Learning from others journeys can help clarify what resonates with you and what might be worth exploring further. Embrace the uncertainty Not knowing whats next can be uncomfortable, but its also a space where new possibilities emerge. Many people rush to find an answer simply to alleviate the discomfort of uncertainty, but allowing yourself time to explore can lead to more fulfilling choices in the long run. Trust that clarity will come through exploration and action, not just overthinking. The upside of not having it all figured out Rather than seeing midlife career questioning as a crisis, consider it a pivot pointan opportunity to align your work with the person youve become. The most fulfilling careers are not those we decide on once and never revisit, but those that evolve with us over time. Research shows that people who make intentional career changes in midlife often experience greater satisfaction and engagement in their work because they are acting in alignment with their authentic selves. So if you find yourself asking, What do I want to be when I grow up? at 36, 44, 51, or beyondcongratulations. Youreright on time. The best careers are not about having all the answers, but about staying open to the journey, embracing change, and allowing yourself to grow into new possibilities. Instead of fearing the question, welcome it. Its a sign that youre paying attention to what truly mattersand thats a powerful thing. {"blockType":"creator-network-promo","data":{"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2025\/03\/acupofambition_logo.jpg","headline":"A Cup of Ambition","description":"A biweekly newsletter for high-achieving moms who value having a meaningful career and being an involved parent, by Jessica Wilen. To learn more visit acupofambition.substack.com.","substackDomain":"https:\/\/acupofambition.substack.com","colorTheme":"salmon","redirectUrl":""}}
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Want more housing market stories from Lance Lamberts ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. National active housing inventory for sale at the end of May 2025 was up 32% compared to May 2024. Thats just 12% below pre-pandemic levels in May 2019. However, while the national housing market has softened and inventory has surpassed 2019 pre-pandemic levels in some pockets of the Sun Belt, many housing markets remain far tighter than the national average. Pulling from ResiClubs monthly inventory tracker, we identified the tightest major housing markets heading into the spring 2025 season, where active inventory is still the furthest below pre-pandemic 2019 levels. These markets are where home sellers have maintained more power compared to most sellers nationwide. Among the nations 200 largest metro area housing markets, 32 markets (see table below) at the end of May 2025 still had at least 50% less active inventory than in May 2019. Thats lower than last months count, when 37 of the nations 200 largest metro area housing markets still had active inventory at least 50% below pre-pandemic 2019 levelsand down from 42 of the 200 the month before that. Many of those tight markets are in the Northeast, in particular, in states like New Jersey and Connecticut. Unlike the Sun Belt, many markets in the Northeast and Midwest were less reliant on pandemic-era migration and have fewer new home construction projects in progress. With lower exposure to the negative demand shock caused by the slowdown in pandemic-era migrationand fewer homebuilders in these regions offering affordability adjustments once rates spikedactive inventory in many Northeast and Midwest housing markets has remained relatively tight, maintaining a sellers advantage heading into spring 2025. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
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Gen Z, the youngest generation of workers, cares deeply about worklife balance. And, according to new research, that balance includes hook ups that happen during working hours. A new survey from EduBirdie of 2,000 Gen Zers examined the impact of working from home on the respondents sex lives. Nearly half (47%) said that remote work has improved their sex life. Likewise, one in three said that a return to the office would damage it, mostly due to having a less flexible schedule. Interestingly, 29% felt that returning to the office might actually improve their sex life. Perhaps because meeting people on the job could offer more opportunities for intimacy or even the prospect of an office romance.While once taboo, office romance is not something that turns Gen Z off, either. The youngest generation of workers wants to normalize romanceor even just sexin the workplace. An impressive 38% of Gen Zers admit they wish their workplace had a private space (like an on-call room?) for hookups or a little, erm, self love. That might be a hard sell to bosses. Normalizing sex at work could open the floodgates of performance issues (no, not like that) and distractibility. Not to mention, unwanted sexual advances. The latter is particularly worrisome given a staggering number of women still report being sexually harassed at work, despite the impact of the #MeToo movement. Still, Gen Z clearly believes if we can have breaks for cigarettes and mental health walks, why not sex? I mean, it could be a morale booster. Given that remote work has lent itself to more flexible schedules, Gen Z has come to rely on what that flexibility offers, which is majorly impactful. Long lunches, slow mornings, and sex breaks are just part of what Gen Z finds important. The youngest generation of workers has been adamant about how important finding meaning in their work is, prioritizing their mental health, and their overall worklife balance. Gen Z certainly sees a ton of benefits in working from home. But many also find fulfillment in heading to the office. According to the survey, 42% feel that being around others is good for them in that it improves confidence (ah, the miracle of getting out of the sweats, showering, and actually leaving the house).Therefore, while Gen Z appreciates that work-at-home life like the best of ’em, they’re not totally against leaving home. They just need a positive working environment that offers solid benefits, good vibes, solid flexibility and, well, the prospect of hooking up before they clock out.
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E-Commerce
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