International Translation Day is coming up at the end of this month; this year’s theme is Translation: Bridging Cultures (I like it!). Karmically enough, ITD is also my (and my husband’s…is that karmic enough for you?) birthday, and this year it’s a big one. Although I don’t think I’m in mid-life crisis mode over turning 40, it has occurred to me that at least from a statistical point of view, I’m knocking on the door of the second half of life. And I do think that any big milestone is a good opportunity for reflection, so I’d like to solicit some input from readers who are past the halfway point themselves. Specifically, what changes have you made in your work life (or what changes would you like to make) now that you’re in mid-life? What have you re-evaluated and what have you kept the same? Here are some thoughts that have popped into my head so far:
- As I get older, I love translation more and more. Being a better translator is more important to me all the time. However, I find that I also get less tolerant of job stress; clients who needed the project yesterday are less and less appealing and rush work is more and more stressful.
- Translating stuff that hangs around for a while and that people actually read is more important to me. This is why I’ve always loved international development translation, and it’s why one of my goals for this year is to take a literary translation course.
- I find myself thinking more about my future work life. In part, this is because I had my daughter at what’s considered a relatively young age here in Boulder (30). As compared to some of my friends who are in their mid-40s and have preschoolers, I’ll be 48 when my daughter graduates from high school. That opens up lots of possibilities; teaching translation, getting an in-house job, going back to school, and so on. Right now I can’t say that I’m hankering for a radical departure from what I do now, but it’s interesting to think about.
Mature readers, any tips from you?
I too find myself less tolerant of the rush jobs, low pay, bad business practices, etc. I am two years past the 40 mark and don’t really have any goals other than being the best translator and person I can be. I don’t want to work for someone else, and I don’t want to be a boss. Who knows what the future will hold, but I am open to any possibilities that may arise.
Thanks Jill! Those are really good goals! And I do think that being open to new possibilities is half the battle (especially as those of us in “the second half” get more set in our ways). Thanks for the comment.
At age 45, after almost 20 years as a freelancer, I decided to take an in-house job where I get to work with a great team for a diversity of internal clients. I’ve never looked back. What I had come to hate was the pressure to make enough money every month. Now that’s taken care of, and the pension too, if I stick to it for 20 years!
Thanks Eric! Now this is interesting, because I recently talked to 2 other freelancers who said the same thing as you: they had freelanced for 20+ years and loved it, then took in-house jobs and never looked back. This could be a blog post in and of itself. Best of luck with it and thanks for the comment!
Your post hit home, as I am also turning 40 next Monday, and as usual, reminded me why I enjoy reading your blog so much. Your disposition to grow, of being open to learn from other people’s experience is a true inspiration, and I subscribe to the idea of “starting the second half of life” with plans now based on real aspirations, having experienced traps enough to be truly grateful for the greatest gift life gives as this point: perspective. I am starting many new things at my second half too, having met (and e-met) in the translation area some of the most interesting people who have helped me see more clearly my strengths and weaknesses, and instead of just meandering around how to overcome the latter, use the former to make choices that bring both growth and joy to the daily freelance grind (even if sometimes not that much money, as time and how to enjoy it is a more important asset at this point).
Thanks Sheila and happy birthday! I agree with you that in “the second half,” most of us are much more accepting of our own “gifts and limitations” (as they say at my daughter’s school!) and we also care less about what other people think. In the end, both are positive! And great point about emphasizing job enjoyment over profit!
Thanks, Corinne, for your post. Yes, I’ve noticed some changes too. Like you, I’m much less tolerant of rush jobs (turned down an interesting job because it came in on Friday afternoon and was due today). Also, I summoned all my courage about two years ago and decided not to work for agencies anymore. That was a huge step and meant a cut in salary but my frustration about agencies benefitting from my long experience and expertise while at the same time imposing new rules and pressuring prices downward made me act. Then, I quit my office space in an office community and work from home now because I need to work in quiet surroundings. At first, I thought I’d feel lonely but it’s actually wonderful and I can always see colleagues and friends for lunch. Needless to say, it saves rent money too.
Thanks Lydia! That is a great story about the major changes that you made; congratulations! I would love to hear more about your experiment with going to an all direct client model.
I am only 30 and I lost my patience a long time ago when it comes to unprofessional companies… Anyway, good luck with the second half of your professional career and keep writing and telling us how it’s all going.
Thanks for your comment; it’s great to know that lack of patience with unprofessional clients is trickling down the age spectrum!
Hi Corinne, I love your blog a lot! And I will be 40 by February next year, that is pretty soon!! I am beginning to think that, really, life is short after all. I mean, there is a limit, an end here. Up to now, I have always had the idea that I had sooo many time to do different things and seize new projects and endeavors, but I have to hurry, as I know that time flies. I want to select my clients, as Judy says, and be more jealous of my time, as we all know, we do not live for ever…
Thanks Dolores and happy 40th! I agree with you: my husband was commenting the other day that make more out of life as we get older because a) we know ourselves better and b) we know that however long we have left on Earth, it’s not forever. As you said, I think that we probably make better business decisions because of that. Thanks for visiting!
I am coming back to translation in my mid-40s.I feel that I know so much more now, in general terms, but in a way that helps me find the right word and register for the text I am dealing with. I’ve also met a lot of interesting people along the way so when I need an expert, I can most likely think of someone to ask for help.
On the other hand, the technology aspect of translation today is a challenge for me. It’s not impossible, but since I am from a generation that didn’t receive any IT instruction in school, I am not as intuitive as some of the younger translators when it comes to learning about CAT tools.
Sarah
Thanks Sarah! I agree, the wisdom that comes with not being 22 any more really is priceless. And the technology struggle is endless; on the other hand, some of the most tech-savvy translators I know are not young, so it’s definitely possible. Congratulations on getting back into translation!