Over-identifying with my former career

Hi everyone,

This may be a tricky one, but I am currently in training for a new career and I feel like I am over-identifying with my old profession. Both careers are healthcare-adjacent, so I'm trying to find the balance of incorporating old knowledge vs. obtaining new information during the live online trainings. The scope of practice is also very different between the two professions.

I feel I have my life balanced for the first time in a long time with family, relationships, hobbies, and work, but the work identity has become so ingrained within me. Maybe I clung onto it because it gave me a sense of purpose and was ultimately how I escaped my abusive relationship because I was financially sound. Any advice or tips on how to break an identity centered around career?

Thank you in advance!

This is perhaps a lame suggestion, but could it help to make a list of things that you would say "describe you", and include the qualities you think defined you in the old profession. After all, the qualities that you brought to the table in that job (and maybe made you good at it) are inherent to you, not inherent in the job (or job title).

Upside Down Eagle said:

This is perhaps a lame suggestion, but could it help to make a list of things that you would say "describe you", and include the qualities you think defined you in the old profession. After all, the qualities that you brought to the table in that job (and maybe made you good at it) are inherent to you, not inherent in the job (or job title).

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Thank you - I don’t think this is lame at all. It creates distance between career and my inherent self. It reminds me that I don’t have to attribute my qualities to something outside myself.

I’ve done a big career pivot in my life (lawyer to training service dogs…so, big pivot!). Can definitely relate to it messing with a strong sense of identity.

I think where I’ve landed is that they’re both part of my identity. I don’t stop being a person who worked in law for over a decade just because I’m doing something else now, yeah?

It did take some time to adjust to “this is what I do now”. But I think that’s normal with any new career - give yourself some time:)