A Fresh Perspective

Hi I’m M. I’ve always had a passion for the arts — whether it was entertaining at children’s parties or helping guide young people through creative projects. But life has a way of changing things. As I turned 50, I found myself in a new role as the caretaker for my mother, and my career took a backseat. The creative work that used to fill my days became sporadic—just a small job here and there. I started to feel disconnected from the person I used to be, the one who could bring joy through performance and connection.

When I was invited to join the SASSI Later-Life Careers project’s Design Thinking workshop in Vienna, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I thought, Why would someone in my situation need design thinking? But from the moment I stepped into that room, surrounded by peers from four different countries, I realized something—this was a space where age didn’t matter, where our experiences could transform into something valuable.

We split into groups and began working on our own project ideas, following the Design Thinking process. It was a revelation: not only was I reminded of my creative strengths, but I also found myself connecting with others who were navigating similar life changes. The collaborative process brought me out of my shell again. I realized that my background in arts, in engaging and connecting with people, was more than just a skill—it was an asset.

The workshop reignited something inside me. I started to think of myself not just as someone taking care of their parent or doing odd jobs, but as someone with the potential to create something meaningful. The way we worked through problems, brainstorming, prototyping, and refining ideas gave me a clear vision of how I could use these tools to shape my future.

Now, I’m looking into turning my creative work into something more structured—maybe even a small business. The experience in Vienna opened up a world of possibilities, showing me that it’s never too late to start something new. I’m more confident in my ideas and in myself, and I’ve learned that even at this stage of life, I can still make an impact—both for myself and for others.