hey, Joelle...

it took me about two years to figure out that my life wasn't OVER after I stopped working.

my job was a big chunk of how I defined myself, and I really needed the gigantic boost that came with doing something well, and being well-paid for it too.

and the interactions with my staff, and my bosses... were very important to me.

an added bonus, my boss's sister is a scientist, who worked nearby at Chiron, during their development of BetaSeron (no, it didn't get me a higher LOTTERY number, but still, we joked about it a lot.

most especially, I missed the camaraderie, and the closeness we all had, and the long-term friendships... as I was there for a decade.

it was a GIANT ache in my heart to leave, truly (well, except for this one snarky woman who raised her nose, and acted like I was a faker, lol, I didn't miss HER)

anyway, all I can say is, it'll take time, but you'll adjust,, and find new things to fill your mind and time... and give you the stimulation you need to keep going strong.

and you'll get the rest you need, and not be so exhausted all the time, and have more time for your mom.

after I left the workforce, my mom had a massive stroke, and I was able to move in with her for a year, and help her through all her stuff... then, she got cancer, and we did home-care hospice for her, until she passed away in 1998.

I wouldn't've been able to BE there for the wonderful woman who gave me life, if not for the MS, and my forced retirement...

so, oddly enough, it all worked out, and I was able to do what I NEEDED to do, even if I could no longer do all I WANTED to do.

does that make sense, Joelle?

I know, you asked for responses from *recent* job-leavers, and it's been 15 years since I stopped working, but... well, I just wanted to let you know, I'm here, and thinkin' about you, and hoping you get through all this smoothly, and manage to adjust to your 'new normal' with grace and panache... and you are able to smile and feel accepting of all the changes you've had to endure.