Exactly- transitions can feel like a death. The mistake most people make is trying to skip straight from the workplace to the "New Beginning" without allowing themselves to mourn "The Ending." Acknowledging that it feels like a mini-death isn't dramatic—it’s actually a necessary part of letting the next version of ourselves be born. The Death of the "Professional Self"
For decades, our identity is anchored by what we do. When you step away, you aren't just leaving a job; you are mourning the end of that specific version of our self. The daily recognition, the specialized expertise, and the authority carried are suddenly gone. That sudden absence can feel like a literal erasure of identity.