Westcliff’s own Kalayvani Ramiah is proving that it is never too late to start over.
After more than three decades in the corporate world, she has stepped into a new chapter defined by creativity, reflection, and personal freedom at 56 years old.
As the world marked World Art Day on Wednesday, 15 April, her journey stood as a reminder that reinvention does not belong to age or circumstance, but to courage and choice.
A mother of three and grandmother to two grandsons, she says her life once revolved almost entirely around her family and career. However, with her loved ones now living in different provinces, she found herself with something unfamiliar, time.
“I had to reinvent myself,” she said.
Her career began in 1990 as a data capturer at a national retail company. What followed was a steady climb built on discipline and consistency, as she worked her way through the ranks into senior leadership roles, eventually becoming National Expense Manager and later Accounts Payable Manager.
For years, her life followed a structured rhythm of responsibility, deadlines, and stability.
But even within that structure, creativity quietly existed in the background.
“When I was employed, I painted at night. It was the only creative avenue I could successfully balance with my workload,” she explained.
In 2022, she made the bold decision to accept a voluntary severance package, stepping away from corporate stability to spend more time with her grandson and explore her creative passions more fully.
Today, her days are filled with a variety of pursuits. From painting and writing to gardening and exploring sustainable living, she has embraced a slower, more intentional way of life.
“I’ve written four novellas in the past year, and I’ve also created my own Tarot deck,” she shared.
Her journey back to creativity was not sudden, but rather a gradual rediscovery that began in her garden before finding its way back to the canvas.
“Knowing that I had a creative side to develop is what inspired me. I saw myself as someone very logical. I wanted to go against that stereotype and explore what else I could offer the world.”
Art, she says, has become both a companion and a form of emotional expression.
“It keeps me company when I feel alone. I can see on canvas how I truly feel, and I challenge myself to transform something sad into something beautiful. Your very own creation can be likened to having a child. You feel a sense of oneness with what you create, akin to an emotional bond. You feel pride and have separation anxiety, exactly as you would experience with a familial relationship.”
Her process is deeply personal, often repainting over previous works until the final piece reflects a sense of inner satisfaction.
While the transition from a structured career to a creative path has not been without its challenges, particularly financial uncertainty, she credits her corporate background for instilling discipline and resilience.
“My career taught me discipline, and that still carries me through,” she said.
More than anything, this journey has reshaped her understanding of happiness and self-worth.
“I’ve learned that you have to be your own best companion. You have to find happiness within yourself first.”
Her family, she adds, has been supportive of her new direction, encouraging her as she navigates this chapter of self-discovery.
Now more relaxed and balanced, she believes she has arrived at where she was always meant to be.
“I feel like this was my destination all along.”
For others approaching retirement or feeling uncertain about their next steps, her advice is:
“Start with the simple things, the things you enjoy the most, and build from there. No purpose is irrelevant. Do what brings you joy.”
As she continues to paint, write, and grow, her story stands as a fitting reminder following World Art Day that creativity has no age limit, and that sometimes, the most meaningful chapters begin when everything else slows down.
