Not every career path is a clear one. If yours isn’t, that’s okay. (No, really, it’s okay.) The reality of it is most, if not all of us will travel down several paths until finally stumbling onto the one we were destined to be on. What matters most is finding the strength—the courage—to switch paths.
The biggest piece of advice I can give is to trust yourself. In other words, if you’re in an environment that doesn’t feel right to you, don’t ignore that feeling! Take mental notes on everything you do. Learn more about what you like. Discover what you love. Recognize things that inspire you and things that you’d prefer to avoid. Any experience, no matter how big or small, is what you make of it.
But here’s the catch. Any experience, no matter how much you love it or how much you tolerate it, isn’t worth it if it means putting yourself last. If you feel, even for the smallest of moments, that you’re no longer gaining anything from the experience, dig deeper and figure out why. Consider this: one door closes, another door opens. I want to reassure you that walking away from one experience does not make you a quitter, nor does it mean you won’t find another. In this transition lies an underlying sense of freedom. Now you can pursue an area you want to develop more or an area you’ve never considered! Here is your chance to take a risk. (If it makes you happier or moves you further down the path of your dreams, I say go for it.)
All things considered, it’ll take some time—and that’s okay. It’ll take a lot of work, but that’s okay. Finding the courage to step away from something you love to pursue something new or more meaningful is an amazing strength and accomplishment. Whatever you do, remember to put yourself first and keep your head held high. You got this.
How does your career (or your dream career) inspire you? Share your stories with us on social media by tagging @Cfashionista.
