Redirecting.work

Pivot Drivers: A Love That Redefined Priorities 

 

Naomi planned to retire from paid work by 2020, envisioning a gradual shift toward a life of travel, philanthropy and community engagement. However, life had other plans. In late 2018, her beloved husband, Ron Wallace, was diagnosed with cancer, setting her on an unanticipated and abrupt pivot. For more than eighteen months, she dedicated herself to his care, pausing her professional commitments to prioritize their time together. 

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Ron wasn’t just her partner; he was her “backbone,” enabling her to pursue her ambitious career dreams. And as Naomi’s own health issues, which limited her mobility and were accompanied by chronic pain, progressed, their carefully planned financial stability, coupled with Ron’s early retirement and incredible support, allowed her to fully immerse herself in her work for two more decades. Yet, his illness forced a shift. As Ron faced his final months, Naomi made a conscious decision to spend their remaining time creating joyful memories rather than preparing for a future without him. 

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When Ron passed away in mid-2020, Naomi faced an entirely new chapter—alone and during the isolating days of the COVID-19 pandemic. "I lost everything when he died," she recalls. The ritual of mourning, central to her Jewish faith, was impossible to fulfill. Yet, Naomi found strength in honoring Ron’s final wish: to ensure that she would be “okay.” 

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Current Directions: A Life of Passion and Service 

 

Today, Naomi’s life is a testament to resilience and reinvention. At 79, she travels extensively, checking off destinations from the list she and Ron created together. From African safaris to European adventures, she navigates the world with a travel buddy—selected with the same precision she once used for her career plans. 

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Philanthropy anchors her days. A fierce advocate for leaving the world better than she found it, Naomi supports causes aligned with her values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Tzedakah (helping others). She helps fund a full-time arts and culture reporter for her local public TV/radio station, has spent 20 years on the Board of the professional Florida Repertory Theatre, and engages deeply with the Jewish Federation and the PACE Center for Girls, where she mentors young women facing significant challenges.

 

“I help them, many of whom are heavy like me, with high-quality clothes,” Naomi says, rejecting societal body shaming. “Fat is not a character flaw. They can only shame you if you believe it’s true.” 

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Her approach to aging reflects a blend of pragmatism and optimism. A lifelong mystery reader and learner, she’s embraced new challenges, including managing her own “assisted living crew” at home—a team that supports her independent lifestyle. Time management, once a cornerstone of her professional success, remains a guiding principle as she balances physical limitations with a life rich in purpose and joy. 

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Lessons and Advice: Living with Intention 

 

Naomi’s advice for navigating life beyond paid work is rooted in optimism and action. “Some people are inherently happy,” she says. “That’s their default setting. For others, it takes effort. Take an hour and immerse yourself in joy—a book, a play, something that uplifts you.” 

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She emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and planning. “Always have a plan,” she advises. Her multi-year rolling plan allows for flexibility and adaptation, reflecting the unpredictable realities of aging. 

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Health challenges, including fibromyalgia and spinal stenosis, have not deterred Naomi. Instead, they’ve reshaped her expectations and priorities. “I had to adopt a different set of expectations,” she shares. “I learned to prioritize what’s really important and cast off the unrealistic demands of my younger self.” 

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Finally, Naomi’s greatest insight lies in honoring life itself. “We’re incredibly lucky,” she reflects. “By not wasting a minute, by not disrespecting the gift of life, we honor those who haven’t had the opportunities we’ve enjoyed.” 

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Living Fully: A Tribute to Resilience 

 

For Naomi, life after paid work is not a quiet retreat but a vibrant continuation of her legacy. Whether mentoring young women and many of us in the HR Tech field, advocating for social causes, or marveling at elephants on the African veldt, she exemplifies how to pivot with purpose and grace. Her story reminds us that even in loss, there is a path forward—one paved with intention, gratitude, and the courage to keep moving.