422: Is It Possible to Reinvent Oneself Without Having All the Answers? Pt 2
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Guest
JoAnne Duncan has had a varied career, from Alaskan fly-fishing guide to elementary teacher and principal, always focused on valuing the strengths of every student and staff member. Though she’s stepped away from her career in public education, she continues to learn, grow, and inspire others. A lifelong learner, she finds joy and insight outdoors, exploring nature and discovering new ideas, always growing, always learning, and always curious.
Summary
In Part 1 of this episode, JoAnne reflected on her unconventional path into education, her transition into school leadership, and ultimately her decision to leave the profession because of the toll it was taking on her physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Since leaving, JoAnne has focused on what she calls “radical self-care,” prioritizing physical and mental health through activities like yoga, swimming, and surfing in Hawaii. This period of recovery has restored her well-being and opened space for reflection about her future. While she continues to enjoy substitute teaching, she is exploring new directions, particularly those involving helping others, possibly through fitness, motivation, or personal growth.
JoAnne and I have known each other for years, so when I learned she was struggling with what to do next, I proposed that we both read Elizabeth Weingarten’s book, How to Fall in Love with Questions: A New Way to Thrive in Times of Uncertainty, to see what comes up for us.
The central message of the book is that uncertainty is not a problem to be solved as quickly as possible; it is a condition of life that can foster growth, insight, and self-discovery when approached with curiosity and patience. The book was inspired by Elizabeth’s own questions and her reading of the Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who believed that we can benefit from “falling in love with our questions”—in effect, living patiently with them.
Part 2, then, explores our takeaways from reading Elizabeth’s book. As background, uou can hear my conversation with Elizabeth in episode #421: https://bit.ly/44HQsAk
A key takeaway
Burnout isn't always a signal to work harder—it may be an invitation to rethink the questions you're asking about your life. By embracing uncertainty with curiosity and self-compassion, you can find opportunities that align more closely with your values and well-being.
References / Links
Instagram — @newave_nana
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanneduncan990/
How to Fall in Love Questions: A New Way to Thrive in Times of Uncertainty
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
Show Credits
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