Reinventing Myself at 61: Finding Purpose Beyond the Pendulum’s Swing

"We all experience success and failure. Throughout our lives, the pendulum swings, when we experience joy, and at other times, it turns into an axe, leaving us feeling destroyed."

This line introduces the rollercoaster of emotions we face. Just over two years ago, I found myself at such a low point—redundant from my corporate role, nearing 61, and for the first time in my adult life, confronting a cocktail of fear, uncertainty, and diminishing confidence. Tired of the fight, worn down by chronic physical pain, and grappling with an ego battered by age and setbacks, I wondered if I could find the energy to reinvent myself.

The Pendulum as an Axe Redundancy wasn’t new to me, but this time felt different. With each new blow, the thought of fighting back seemed exhausting, almost insurmountable. Aging brought its own set of challenges, both physical and emotional. My chronic injuries, once trophies of my athleticism, now sapped my energy, and maintaining a sense of self-confidence amidst rejection felt harder than ever.

Yet, there was one thing I couldn’t ignore: my family. They’d been my purpose from the beginning, and they remained my greatest motivation. Even as young adults, carving their own paths, my children, along with my wife, were still my reason to fight. Throwing in the towel wasn’t an option—not for me and not as an example to them.

Finding Purpose in Reinvention With a newfound determination, I resolved to “take control of the pendulum.” Each hit had left scars, but I was prepared to let those chinks in the armour heal and press on. It became clear that this journey wasn’t just about finding work to pay the bills, as important as that remains; it was about living with purpose and showing my family, and myself, that I could reinvent myself—even at 61.

The Role of Friendship and Trust Next, I realised I didn’t need to go it alone. I found strength in reconnecting with mates—those who shared my values, passions, and respect. For a guarded and deeply private introvert, trusting again was no small task, but with these men, I discovered camaraderie, respect, and shared ambitions. They weren’t just business partners; they were allies, helping me see that this new chapter didn’t have to be a solo journey.

Fuelling the Fight Now, when the weight of it all starts to feel heavy, I look to my family for strength. They are my motivation, my foundation, and my compass. They are my purpose. Nothing else matters. I’ve rediscovered that sometimes, reinvention is less about becoming someone new and more about reconnecting with the parts of ourselves that were always there. Getting knocked down is inevitable, but getting up every time—that’s the choice we make. And with purpose, even the toughest rounds become a testament to resilience and love.

I am now working on no less than 5 new projects. Not all of them will succeed, and it will be heavy lifting for some time. But what’s the alternative? Roll over and wither? Not for this old dog. There’s still fight left in me. Retirement! That’s for the elderly! 😉