How do I reinvent myself after a major life change like divorce or job loss?

Reinventing yourself after a major life disruption can feel both exciting and terrifying. When a significant part of your personal identity - like being married or having a particular career - suddenly changes, it creates space for you to rediscover who you are and who you want to become. Start small with experiments rather than making dramatic changes all at once. Try new activities, explore interests you've neglected, or reconnect with parts of yourself that got lost in your previous life structure. This might mean taking a class, joining a club, traveling somewhere new, or simply changing your daily routine. Pay attention to what energizes you and what feels authentic, even if it's different from who you used to be. Remember that finding identity formation is a process, not a destination - you don't have to figure out your entire new self immediately. It's okay to try things that don't work out, and it's okay to keep some aspects of your old personal identity while changing others. Be patient with yourself during this process and resist pressure from others to 'get back to normal' quickly. Your new normal might be completely different from your old one, and that's not only okay - it might be exactly what you need. Consider this an opportunity to create a life that's more aligned with your authentic self and current values.