Thanks everyone for your thoughtful replies.

I used to think that my career was a huge part of my identity. The first question most people often ask to engage you in small talk is "So....what do you do?" And I linger upon the answer due to my current situation. I'm walking away from a well-paying, but highly stressful career in education. And I don't regret it. For the moment, anyhow.

I suppose I can answer the question by saying, "What do I do? Well, I garden, I am an avid multi-crafts person, I paint, play piano, and occasionally I like to look at the humming birds out my porch window from time to time." I can say this with a huge smile on my face too.

A whole new self-identity is evolving nowadays. It's not so bad. I'm just glad to be rid of the stress in my job. This time of recuperation is a blessing.