Trusting the Signs: A Leap of Faith After 15 Years

At 44 years old, I found myself wondering what comes next after leaving my career of nearly 15 years.

I had been asking God and the universe for signs…something, anything… to help me decide whether to stay at the IRS until retirement or take a leap into something more community-focused, more purpose-driven.

My answer came earlier this year in the form of an unexpected email from the all-new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE): a so-called “federal buyout.” For those unfamiliar, it’s essentially a voluntary separation incentive, a funky way of saying, “Here’s a little cushion. Now move on.” The Trump administration had an ambitious goal of reducing the federal workforce by A LOT, with the help of Elon Musk. Rumors were swirling that my division would be reduced by 90%. Would we be forced out? Would we have to move to a different role? There were a lot of questions floating around and, with limited information available, people were scared, confused and uncertain about what to do.

At first, even I wasn’t sure how to feel. Fifteen years is a long time. It’s longer than some marriages, older than most of the technology we use daily, and enough time to become deeply attached to a routine, a mission, and even a title.

The IRS had been more than just a job: it had shaped how I understood government, accountability, and public service. The agency had given me an opportunity to work at the highest levels of government with the agency’s top boss, the IRS Commissioner himself. Throughout my career, I spent a lot of time in Washington D.C. attending meetings, working special detail assignments, attending IRS hearings on Capitol Hill, handling national media inquiries and most recently, working with the California delegation of U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators. My next goal was to apply to the agency’s Executive Program.

But as I sat with that DOGE email, I realized something very powerful: this was the sign I’d been waiting for.

It wasn’t wrapped in a burst of divine light or some dramatic revelation. It was a simple message in my inbox that I interpreted as, “Change is here, Anabel. You asked for it. Are you ready?”

And for the first time in a long time, I felt peace about saying yes.

Leaving the security of a federal career is no small decision. There are questions about stability, identity, and what success even means at this stage in life. Too old to start something brand new but not quite retirement eligible. But there was also excitement in rediscovering what drives me: service, storytelling, and community.

The days are long but the years are short…

I started applying to jobs in the Spring and sent dozens of resumes to employers in neighboring counties. I had a few interviews throughout SoCal during the summer while juggling my challenging new reality: I’m a housewife, a sports mom, a jobless woman with a lot of projects on my to do list and insecurities about my future beginning to creep up on me. However, I’ve remained optimistic. I started my own boutique PR agency (The BelMar Agency) and landed a few gigs. I also got involved with the Ventura County Democratic Party and I’ve had a lot of satisfaction helping them out with communications.

Not too long ago, Paul and I started crunching numbers to get a sense of what our financial picture will look like if I end up becoming a long-term housewife. It’s a tough job market and the economy is slowing down. I was beginning to think that it was time to surrender, as one of my friends suggested. I thought about helping Paul run his CPR business and improving my record time for folding kids clothes’…. and right when I least expected it, I received a job offer!

Of course I’ll share all about my new job but since I won’t start working until November, I’m going to avoid jinxing it and I’ll wait to actually begin working before I share. This much is true though: the process to get this job involved three different interviews, a background check, a physical exam and reference calls. They selected me for this position and I’m honored. The job is community-focused and promises to be much more fun than interpreting complex tax laws, revenue rulings and treasury codes.

As I begin this next chapter, I’m reminded that sometimes the universe doesn’t shout. It nudges. It whispers. And if we’re still enough to listen, those whispers can lead us to something even greater than what we’ve left behind.

Universe: “Be careful what you ask for….”

Thanks for reading, friends!

Xo,

Anabel M.

A New Career Adventure, right here at home!?

Trusting the Signs: A Leap of Faith After 15 Years

A Museum Worth Buzzing About!