Part 1: What I’ve Learned Quitting My Dream Job
For those who have been following along on Instagram, you know I’ve been sharing the lessons that have emerged since quitting my ‘dream job’ as a Marketing Director. I want to dive a little deeper on the blog and share more about how this lesson has presented itself to me, in hopes that it will support others experiencing similar situations.
One of the hardest parts of deciding to leave my job was accepting that the life I had been working toward for years was no longer my dream. The number of times I second-guessed myself or attributed my feelings to being stressed, overthinking, or too emotional... I was doing everything in my power to ignore my heart and just keep moving forward. But eventually, it caught up to me.
Here’s my advice to those of you navigating similar doubts…
Your dream job (and life) is meant to evolve as you evolve.
The fact that your dream is changing shows you are growing. We are literally on this planet to grow and evolve. Our society, specifically the US educational system and work culture, encourages us to pick ONE career path that involves this linear progression of “climbing the ladder.”
This is not conducive to the natural ebb and flow of life. In many ways, it keeps us feeling trapped, guilty, or as if we made a mistake in our choice if we don’t achieve this linear path.
We feel compelled to stay on this path to make more money, get the title, and PROVE our success in society. This is another way of keeping us disconnected from our own hearts. Life is not linear, and your growth and journey don’t need to be either.
One of the biggest lessons in this process is accepting that life will NEVER feel linear. The path I’ve taken up to this point was in NO WAY a mistake. It was my dream life for a reason; it’s just changing in a way I didn’t foresee. Which is OK and actually normal.
Now, imagine a world where you are free – free from the constraints of societal expectations. You are abundant. You are worthy. You have the power to shine your light in the world, create a life where you can express yourself, share your gifts, and be fully taken care of in return.
Here are some journal prompts to get you thinking about your dream life and areas in your current job where you feel stuck.
Journal Prompts:
In what ways are you keeping yourself boxed into the idea of what you think your life should look like?
Reflect on any self-imposed limitations or expectations about your life. Consider how these may be influencing your decisions and keeping you from fully embracing your true desires.Can you pinpoint a moment in your life when you felt your career path was predetermined for you? For many of us, this may have been influenced in high school, college, or perhaps by a parent. Think about how these influences show up in your work today.
Identify past experiences or external influences that shaped your career path. Reflect on how these early expectations might still be impacting your current career choices.What aspects of your current job bring you joy? What aspects of your current job deplete you? When considering these moments, tune into how it feels in your physical body to guide you.
Examine the parts of your job that energize you versus those that drain you. Pay attention to your physical reactions to these aspects as a guide to understanding what’s working and what isn’t.Think about your absolute dream day. How would you spend your time, from the morning when you get out of bed to the evening before you fall back asleep? Imagine what this looks like for you.
Visualize your perfect day in detail, from start to finish. Use this vision to guide your decisions and actions towards creating a life that aligns with your true desires.
Is there someone in your life whose career you admire? What about this person do you look up to? In what ways can you start bringing these aspects into your day-to-day life?
Reflect on a person whose career inspires you. Identify the qualities or practices you admire and explore how you can incorporate these into your own life and career.
Don’t forget, it’s okay if your dream life changes. It wasn’t a mistake; it was a dream for a reason, setting you up for exactly where you are meant to go next.
