It’s my birthday month, and like clockwork, I’ve been reflecting…

Thinking about where I’ve been, what 2025 has brought so far (which has been a bit of a wild ride), and how I want to spend the rest of my 50s.

Lately, I’ve been daydreaming and jotting things down—what you might call a career bucket list.

Maybe finally writing that book I’ve been sitting with for years.

Perhaps stepping onto more stages and sharing what I’ve learned.

I might even carve out more space for joy and creativity—play, adventure, and fun.

There’s something about birthdays that brings all this up, especially the ones that feel like markers.

They stir up questions that don’t always have easy answers: Am I where I thought I’d be by now? Is this it? What’s next?

After years of coaching people through career and life transitions, I’ve seen this moment come up again and again.

Milestones—whether we plan for them or not—create momentum.

I’ve had clients reach out right after their birthday, or when their youngest leaves for college, or when they land a promotion that, surprisingly, doesn’t feel all that fulfilling.

Sometimes it happens after something harder—a divorce, a health scare, a layoff, or the loss of a parent.

And other times, it’s sparked by something joyful, like finally getting the degree, or launching the business, or retiring after decades of steady work.

Whatever the reason, these threshold moments tend to open a window.

They invite us to pause, listen and reflect. Maybe even to question whether we’re still on the path that feels right.

Career coaching isn’t just about figuring out what to do next.

It’s about making sense of what this moment means, and how to move forward with intention, clarity, and a plan that actually fits you—your values, goals, and season of life.

So if you’ve just had a big birthday, or there’s one coming up, and you’re starting to feel that internal nudge—a quiet sense that something’s shifting or wanting to shift— that’s not something to ignore.

That whisper is worth listening to, and you don't have to figure it out alone.

I'm offering a limited number of free 45 minute Career Consults for serious professionals who want to take the next step in their careers. Book Here.

Kelley Joyce is a career development coach who is dedicated to helping people discover their career path and land their dream jobs. She has served hundreds of professionals across the U.S., U.K., and Australia since 2012 to radically change their relationship with work. Follow her on LinkedIn for career and business tips.