I'm 27 & Want To Quit My Stable, Well-Paying Job

I went into college not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life. What seemed like the most convenient career path at the time was Dentistry. Okay so you must think I was crazy to think Dentistry was the convenient path for me, but I only felt this way because my dad is an amazing Dentist who I knew could mentor me through schooling. Why it took me three and a half years to finally take the introductory course to Dentistry I don’t know. Two failed attempts at O-Chem and three weeks into this Dental course, I knew at the core of my being that I could not look at teeth for the rest of my life. I learned something else around this time: I am freaking blessed with the most amazing parents. I remember my hands were shaking when I picked up my phone to call my dad to let him know that I was going to change career paths and switch from a Microbiology major to an Exercise Sports Science major my senior year of undergrad. Excuse me?

Something my parents both taught me was that I needed to find a career that aligned with my passions as well as provide me financial security. So when I spoke with my dad about my career change, he was obviously upset that his daughter wouldn’t be taking over his practice in the future but he understood that just like himself, I am someone who cannot stand to do something I am not passionate about. My mom was so supportive that her biggest concern was how my dad reacted to the news.

I think finding your passion is tricky, but I don’t believe it has to be that way. Honestly, I almost feel hypocritical writing that just now because I am still working on finding my passion years and multiple jobs later. That is a huge reason as to why I started this blog. I want to explore my creativity that I've locked in for so many years to just fit in to what I believed a "successful" life looked like. I know I've still got a lot of things to learn, but since I started on this journey I've already learned a few things that I want to share with you guys - so here we go!

DISCLAIMER: I’m not an expert in this topic whatsoever and so I am speaking from my own experience.

Sometimes You Need to Think Laterally

The biggest reason I had chosen Dentistry as my initial career path is because I remember my dad telling me about the relationships he is able to build and maintain with his patients. He would tell me about his entire day at work but none of it really stood out to me except when he would tell me personal details about his patients. For example, he had been treating the same patient since he was a teenager. Years later, he is still treating him and now treats his wife and two kids. This was amazing to me because I am a very relational person.

Looking back, the biggest mistake I made was thinking I could only develop these types of relationships within the medical field. Because I had started with the mindset of becoming a Dentist, I only looked at professions within the medical field that allowed me to build relationships with people around me. I was purely thinking vertically. If I could go back in time, I would bop myself over the head and tell myself to think more laterally. As I start this blog, I'm learning more and more of the huge potential to build relationships within a community that doesn't have an boundaries. What other career fields can you look into that would allow you to build relationships with people in your community?

You Are Where You Are For A Reason

The other weekend, I met up with a friend from college who started her own cookie business with her sister for a wine tasting. I was really surprised to come to the realization that this was our first time hanging out one on one even though we’d known each other for years. I always knew she was a bubbly and positive personality and after talking with her more the last year I knew this was someone I wanted to get closer to.

Anyways, we’re talking and we are both pretty open individuals. So I start talking to her about how I am not where I want to be in life in regards to my career and how it really sucks because I felt like I worked so hard to get to where I am now. I was looking at this all from a very negative standpoint and felt really discouraged. My friend expressed similar feelings as me but brought in a perspective that I am already familiar but lost touch with.

I can’t remember verbatim what was said but it really hit me like a rock from 500 feet in the air. Wherever you are now is for a reason. Doesn’t matter how important or insignificant you think your contribution to society is, you are still making an impact. SO TRUE GIRL! I was so focused on myself and my unhappiness that I forgot to look at the bigger picture. I have been through multiple jobs where I knew it’s not what I wanted to do forever, but it helped me grow the skills I needed to take the next step. When I worked at a boba shop in college, I learned administrative and customer service skills on the side of learning how to make tapioca pearls and drinks (which was actually awesome by the way). As a fitness coach I honed my interpersonal communication skills as well as learn to be a motivator for clients. In my current job I know that I am also learning valuable skills to take me to the next chapter of my life wherever that may lead. I may just not always recognize it.

If you are someone like me who is thinking of making a big career change, think back and reflect on what skills you have been able to pick up from each of the experiences you’ve had up until now. You may be surprised or you will be reminded of your potential and just how great you really are.

Myth: “If You Do What You Love, You Won’t Work Another Day In Your Life”

Okay I will tell you straight up - this is a lie. Sure it may feel and vibe true for some but I know I’m not the only one in this - I can love something but once it starts to feel like a job and I have to do it? Peace out bruh. You’re not telling me what to do. I’m my own boss and I will do what I love when I want to do it.

I’ve been listening to a lot of motivational podcasts lately (huge transition from only listening to true crime) and all the blog/business/brand starters have said the same thing that I’ve been unable to put to words all these years: being able to transform your passion into a career has so many rewarding moments. We clearly see this on social media where CEO’s, bloggers and influencers will post and share their successes. However, what we don’t see is all the grit, patience and perseverance that was going on behind the scenes.

Like I mentioned earlier, I’m wired in a way that if I’m not doing something I love it is very difficult for me to be motivated to grow in that field. Even as I’m starting this blog because of my passion to create, relate and share, I am aware of the days and maybe even weeks where sitting down at my desk and writing will seem like the last thing I want to do. What’s keeping me going and what I pray will keep me going is the reward - the idea that if I can relate to just one person out there who may be going through the same thing I am now - I will be freaking ecstatic.

Allow Yourself to Try New Things

Who’s had an idea to try something but was afraid that they would fail so they decide not to go for it at all because we’d rather not fail to begin with? Me.

Who’s actually started something they thought they would be able to stick with and grow into something big but then realized it’s not as big as you wanted it to be so you quit after telling all your friends you started it and you become embarrassed afterwards because now you feel like that person who says they’ll do something and not follow through? Also me.

I learned that the biggest thing preventing me from starting this blog was my fear that this would become another thing I would start and give up on so quickly. I was shaming myself for the previous blogs I had started but not touched in years and for starting an Etsy shop that I soon learned wouldn’t thrive because I didn’t have any product ideas to work with. I was ashamed of all the times I told my friends I was going to start something and have them ask about it later with the only response being “oh yeah...that”.

Whether you’re looking for a new career path, side hustle or hobby - allow yourself the chance to try new things. If something doesn’t work out, reflect and ask yourself what you did and didn't about it. Is there something you learned from this experience that could better help you when you try the next thing? Become your own guru and discover your true self through these trial and errors. We fear failure so much that we imprison ourselves from our full potential. We need to let go of the fear that not everything will turn out the way we want and that’s okay because it will take us one step closer to where we want to be at the end of the day.

Not Enough Time?

Well how bad do you want it?

I’m smacked in the face with this question every morning around 6am while I’m getting ready for work. I have it written on my desk calendar so that every morning I wake up I remind myself to not settle for less than my potential. Sure I work from 7 in the morning to 5/5:30 in the evening, four days a week because I still have a responsibility to contribute financially to our little family (I hate bills and mortgages). Yeah for sure I’m tired when I get home because it is a 30-minute commute each way. But I will come home and dedicate time with my husband and dogs because they mean the world to me. But you know that I will purposely make time in the evening to brainstorm ideas, write, and listen to motivational podcasts because I want to be proactive in working towards what I want to do for the rest of my life while also challenging myself to be better each day.

I’ve definitely been there before where I know there’s something out there for me but I don’t have the time/energy to go find it. And that’s super valid - I’m not trying to invalidate anyone out there because I honestly don’t know what you’re going through. I’m just purely speaking from my point of view of my past experiences. But really ask yourself - how bad do you want it? Coming from a place where I had all these ideas in my head but no time to execute it all - I now find so much time in my day to work with quality towards my goals because I found the conviction in myself that I want this bad.

At the end of the day...

It’s not an easy journey. It takes discipline, sacrifice and a lot of motivation and patience. Once you make the resolve to pursue something and it’s coming from a genuine place without any ulterior motive - you will find time and the strength inside to carry on even in the hardest of times.