When Ilana was diagnosed with a brain tumor in her fifties, she began to ask herself questions about her future. What should she do with the time she had left on this earth? Most importantly, when would be the appropriate time to retire and turn to life’s next chapter? Through a series of interviews with experts, exploring questions related to financial security, mental and physical health, finding meaning and purpose, and leaving a legacy, Ilana takes us inside her ten-year personal journey of stepping down from a beloved long-time career into a continued purposeful life. Here she describes a process, a journey, and the questions that she asked herself and others that helped shape her decisions. This deliberate exploration of retirement and aging will resonate with anyone who is traversing this particular minefield in the 21st century.
“Now, as I look back on my career, I realize that as much as I helped people, my work as a social worker helped me personally as well. I was able to counter the systemic abuse of power by providing services to people affected by that abuse. I was able to address helplessness and despair in the lives of the people that I encountered, as I knew it firsthand; together we uncovered the abilities, strengths, and resilience essential to recovery and to the ability to thrive. My own personal grief allowed me to help others process theirs. So being a social worker was where I belonged, and I did not want to lose that part of my identity as I stepped down from my position.”
Book talk by Ilana at the book party 8-22
Reviews
An Inspiring and informative book
“This book is enormously helpful for anyone thinking about Stepping Down – Not Stepping Away.
It’s extremely thoughtful, well researched and written from the heart. I highly recommend reading this book and referring to it often”. B.Y.
Practical guide to life’s third chapter
“Written in the form of interviews, this is detailed how-to guide following Ilana Cohen’s retirement. It contains a wealth of practical directions deriving from her life and professional practice as a counselor and therapist. Each chapter is filled with interviews with her network of professionals and the best advice and approaches to remaining fit both mentally and emotionally into our later years. It was an eye-opener for me to learn about some of these, such as aging in place organizations and the Question Formulation Technique. Ilana has given us the gift of asking so many of the right questions we should be asking ourselves as we approach retirement and getting the best professional help with the answers”. P.K
What to consider when stepping down
“This is an interesting read in itself about the author, Ilana Amrani Cohen, who had a purposeful life as a social worker, providing services to the vulnerable, helpless, and abused – and requiring her great organizational skills, empathy and resilience. I was mainly struck by the variety of topics she wrote about when making a decision to step down and reinvent oneself later in life. She had interviews with experts in all these areas. I particularly enjoyed the chapter “Staying Mentally and Emotionally Fit”, and also “Aging in Place”. She also discussed the obvious “Can I Afford to Leave my Job”, and an unexpected topic “Advocating for Oneself”. I found this book helpful and recommend it for anyone considering a major career change, in later life”. L.W
Excellent and insightful narrative helping with life’s transitions
“I enjoyed reading Dr. Amrani-Cohen’s book, “Stepping Down-Not Stepping Away.” This book is a thoughtful synthesis of Dr. Amrani-Cohen’s personal and professional journey through a challenging life transition along with her, as well as additional perspectives, from experts in each area. While reading “Stepping Down-Not Stepping Away” I felt that the book spoke directly to my own thoughts and uncertainties regarding transitional stages in my own life. I would recommend this book for anyone experiencing significant life transitions. It is an engaging and thoughtful read”. J.M. S
Very Informative
“I found the book an interesting guide for those entering the retirement stage of their lives. I also learned more about the author’s personal journey and how she planned for her next stage. The experts she interviewed were knowledgeable and the resources she listed are helpful. It was a well written and thought- provoking book”. J.L.
An excellently written and researched practical guide written with honesty and care
“I am struck by the honesty, applicability and practicality of the book. Ilana ‘holds our hands’ and guides us through very important questions, considerations and aspects of the process of “Stepping Down-Not Stepping Away”. This book is thorough, and almost like a guidebook for this next chapter in our lives. The deeply personal nature of the book reinforces Ilana’s partnership with us on this journey. I strongly recommend it”. G.S.
Empowering
“Written from the heart and carefully researched book filled with good ideas about dealing with the next phases of our lives. I especially will further investigate the ability of how to ask good questions!” LJ.J
An informative and insightful book for anyone considering a second act
“Ilana Amrani-Cohen provides a unique and insightful exploration into retirement and aging. Through her poignant personal journey and interviews with experts, she provides a roadmap for living a purposeful life beyond one’s career. Highly recommended for anyone contemplating a Second Act”. IHUR
This is an engaging book on the benefit of preparing for your life’s next steps.
“Dr. Cohen’s personal journey is relatable and informative. Her various interviews with Professional and Personal experts highlighted practical, insightful information. Stepping Down- Not Stepping Away is a timeless book, meant to be shared”.RPC