Possibly the two most liberating (and scary) words that have ever come out of my mouth.
Today marks the 1 year anniversary of quitting my old job.
One year ago today, I was not in a good place. I was unhappy, depressed, anxious, and fearful of what the future would hold. Despite these feelings, I knew that I wanted to be happy with my career.
One year ago today was quite possibly one of the lowest moments in my life. After quitting, I walked down the office hallway in shock, literally shaking from what just happened. I sat at my desk in shock. I called Eric on the phone and whispered, ‘You’ll never believe what I finally did’, my hands still shaking.
What was I going to do?
Despite all of this, there was a small, glowing flame inside me that started to light up. It burned a bit brighter the day that I quit my job. Each day thereafter, it burned brighter and brighter. After 7 years in university and a few unfulfilling research jobs, I was finally able to sit down, take a deep breath, and really think about what makes me happy.
All of this time, this was the one crucial thing that I had not done. Yes I had written the exams, the GRE’s, gotten letters of recommendations, and straight A’s, but the one thing I did not do is stop to think about what I wanted.
I always did what I thought was expected of me or what career I thought would pay the most money. Both of which, would never make me a happy person, but kill that glowing flame inside my heart until it is no longer burning at all.
I have grown up a lot in the past year. I have struggled with self-doubt and worries that have almost paralyzed me from moving forward with my dreams. There were several times when I almost called it off because I was scared. There have been a lot of tears over the past year, but there have also been many more smiles and exciting moments than I have had in the past 7 years combined.
The past year has really shown me that I can choose a life that I will be happy with. I can make choices every single day to create happiness in myself. I can work my ass off at something I love and feel extremely rewarded.
And most of all, I never have to settle for something that isn’t a right fit for me.
Sometimes it takes us to experience a career field before we know that it just isn’t right for us. Or, we go to law school when we really secretly have always wanted to open up a cupcake shop. Most of the time, we figure out things as we go. There aren’t really any ‘mistakes’, but experiences and the key is to make them learning experiences.
We make the best choice that we can at the time.
When we lost a family friend, Chris, to cancer just prior to our wedding in 2008, I started to question a lot of things in my life. Chris was the same age as Eric and he grew up with Eric. Losing someone so young made me question my own life, choices, happiness, and goals. I decided that I would do something to change my situation. I realized that my time on the earth was not something to take for granted any longer.
While it took me another 6 months to finally get the courage to leave my job, once I said those two words, it was instantly a new beginning for me.
I don’t want to think about what my life would be like today, had I not had the courage to take a leap of faith.
Today I celebrate stepping outside my comfort zone, challenging myself as a person, and deciding that I deserve to be happy.
Have you ever decided to leave a bad situation or a job/college major because it wasn’t a good fit for you?
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For a full recap of how I changed careers, check out my ‘A Year Can Change A Lot’ Series:
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, and Part 9
Reach for the stars, even if you have to stand on a cactus.
~Susan Longacre
Angela,
Here’s a quote you might like:
“It’s not so much what you get from goals that matters, it’s what you had to become to get it that’s yours forever” – John Rohn
Have a great day!
Congrats on the anniversary, Angela! Both of them :P I’m going through a similar thing right now. I’ve worked my entire life to become an English professor, but now that I’m in graduate school I just want to open a bakery! Crazy how these things happen.
I was really meant to read this post today, and felt like you were talking to me directly. I was literally in the process of writing my formal resignation letter, and got a little overwhelmed and wanted to do something to take my mind off of the stress for a bit (enter blogs!). I was questioning my decision, but reading this post solidified all the reasons WHY I need to move forward. Thank you!! :)
Congratulations on the anniversary of a very important and life changing day in your life!
This is such a great post! I’m a college student and I feel like people constantly ask me what I want to “do” with my French major. When I tell them I don’t know, they look at me like, “Why on earth would you pick a ridiculous major like French if you don’t even have a plan for it?” I’m doing what I love for now, and I figure the rest will fall in to place…through learning experiences, just like you said.
You have such an inspiring story! I recently went vegan and subsequently started my own blog, and your posts were always of my biggest inspirations in doing so. Thank you so much for this, and I can’t wait to keep reading :)
Congrats! It takes a big person to realize they have made a mistake or that they are unhappy and do actually do something about it. Most people will remain in an unhappy place so they do not have to step out of their comfort zone. It is scary. I have never had to do this, but I think it is because of my personality. I never like to say no because everything I sign up to do I love. I changed my major, but I still liked the old one, so I kept it, which is why I have 2 undergrad degrees from 2 schools that I earned in 5 years. I just couldn’t give one program up. I think I learned early on what I really really wanted to do, and I realize there were many ways to get to my end dream career. But I did have to give up a job I loved to move with my husband overseas, and that was very scary. It was the unknown, but I did have a part time job that was online (teaching) and I was able to find things here, again I blame my personality for this one. I think you were very brave and you deserve a lot of credit for going after what you wanted and you are a better person now for this.
Congratulations!! Happy anniversary! It’s wonderful how much those two words changed your life.
Today is an anniversary for me too. Today is seven years since I got on a plane by myself to experience something different. All these years later and I’m STILL away. It has taken me on trips to many different countries, and living in three of them. I often think where I’d be if I never got on that plane.
Congratulations on what has to be a gloriously happy day in your life!! You deserve to celebrate your bravery and accomplishments!
This is my year to start living my life. I am just embarking on it, and doing it slowly. But at least I *think* that I finally believe that life is too short to be stuck in a position that has made me unhappy for 11 years! And for what? A paycheck (not that I am not grateful for that in this day and age!)? The reward of being a good and respected employee? It’s not enough anymore; I can see that there should be more balance in my life and that I could be HAPPY! Wow, what a concept! Hopefully I will brave enough to follow your example. Thank you for leading us all in the direction of a happier, more well-adjusted life! :-)
Good for you! So inspirational!
First of all, I just have to say again that I have never seen more beautiful colors in a cat!
Congrats on your one year anniversary of doing what you want! I quite a job once that I knew had no future even when I didn’t have another job lined up. It was a huge scary step and it really pushed me over the ledge into something I never imagined. I’ve been working my job I have now ever since then and grown so much! It was just what I needed to make the next move.
I am in a situation I don’t want to be in right now. I don’t like my research, but I am far along and know that I should finish. So I will stick it out this semester and see how far I go. I can’t stand being unhappy with what I am doing. But what do I do instead? Thank you for being brave enough to know what you had to do. Thank you for being an awesome inspiration for so many people.
Maybe I can sell my art? Or be a take home cook? Or…who knows!
Have a great day!
You have certainly had a great year! Sometimes the scariest things can be the best for you!! Happy Birthday Sketchie!! Your bakery is taking off and you totally deserve it! :)
Congrats!!!
Happy Birthday Sketchie!!
Congratulations! I have read and re-read all of your story, and it is truly inspirational. I am a graduate student myself, and have fallen into many of the same traps as you. I have decided to maintain balance in my life by focusing more on me, and putting less pressure on myself in terms of accomplishments. Your story was a large part of why and how I am able to do this, and I can’t thank you enough for your honesty in posting it. I am in the very early stages of setting up a craft “business”, and again, your story and the success of your bakery really inspire me daily. When I start to doubt myself, I think of you!
Congrats! What an awesome year you have had. Keep up all the great work and the awesome glo bar flavors!!!
This was an incredible post. You had an amazing year and have a lot to be proud of!
I’m dying to move out of state and have it set in my mind that I’m going to do it…but it’s going to be a long hard journey to get there. I’m scared, but I don’t want the fear to hold me back. I know it will be worth it in the end and after reading this, I know it will be worth it. You have given me new confidence that I can and will do this!!
That was a very brave (and scary, I’m sure) decision you made. I am happy that you did it and are happy with your decision though. Good for you! You deserve it!
I went to culinary school for 3 years and then decided that the school AND Major were completely wrong for me. I was very unhappy there, but I was afraid to admit that and make another big change. I also felt like I was a failure- I stuck it out at that school for 3 years and then I was just going to throw it all away. After my 3rd year there I finally decided to move on to something else. I swithced my major to psychology and started at a new school this past fall. I have no once looked back and couldn’t be happier about the change.
Congrats. I’m working now towards being able to get to the point financially where I can say those 2 words-and do something I really love. I can’t wait.
Stupid mortgages :(
I love this post. Congrats on having the courage to follow your dreams! And happy birthday to Sketchie :)
Congrats to all that you have accomplished! Your blog is so inspiring! oh and happy birthday Sketchie :)