Would I do it again? Reflecting on my corporate exit six months later
Last August, I came to a point where for a few months I was feeling down, lonely, stuck, unfulfilled and tired of the everyday routine. I was doing alllll the wellness things, walking, eating healthy, meditating, and STILL could not shake these feelings. From the outside looking in I had a great job, I was working in advertising, had a good steady salary, and great work-life balance. Yet internally I felt stuck, not excited, and drained of energy. I took out my journal and started writing. I kept coming back to one main feeling. The feeling of knowing I have so much potential, and not fulfilling it. It was gnawing at me knowing I can do, help, and provide so much more than what I was doing in my current day to day. For the past 5 years, nutrition and gut health was just my “passion” or my “side hustle” and that was that. I sat on this idea of leaving corporate, which at the time I thought was a huge deal and I never thought would happen. I was 26 and out of college for 5 years. Why would I go back now? It was a thought that never left my mind for the next few months… and started school in January. Here are some things that I learned reflecting back on my decision and leaving a steady situation.
Things feel a lot bigger in the moment than they really are. I remember when I left my corporate job I had so much anxiety around my income changing, my lifestyle (I am not cheap to take care of ;) , and making the wrong decision. 6 months out, it was most definitely the best decision I could have made for myself and I am happier, more fulfilled, and to be honest… feel more like me. I had lost that for a while doing something that was unaligned.
If you have the ability and means to do things that you want, do them. If it is not now, when? We live in a society where money is needed for survival, of course. I am not advocating for setting yourself up for failure and struggle. But if you want to do something, and you have the means to do it, it is there for you to pursue. So being realistic with yourself and your situation, yes it may be scary, but if it makes sense, WHY NOT?
Trust the gut feelings. I tend to be a person that does not take huge risks. I went to college, studied business, and did all of the things society told me to do. I followed my gut on a huge career change and have not regretted it since. At the beginning of the semester, I was so nervous about chemistry and thinking “Am I even smart enough? I have not sat in a classroom for 5 years” and genuinely worried about if I was smart enough. I got all A’s in my first semester back and proved to myself that those were silly little thoughts that my mind naturally resorts to to protect myself. The negative beliefs and thoughts that pop in when it comes to fear will always be there. Just allow your strength, drive, and determination to be louder.
If you don’t like something about your life, you and only you have the ability to change it. Getting in the drivers seat of your life and making decisions based on what you want and no one else. Unhappy in your relationship? Change it. Unhappy in your job? Change it. These changes do not need to happen overnight, but if you find yourself stuck in toxic patterns or a negative mindset, you are the only one that can pull yourself out. So get out that journal and move through those limiting beliefs that are keeping you there. Talk to a trusted friend or therapist about what you are thinking about. You are never stuck even when your mind plays tricks telling you that you are.
Do not listen to outside opinions that you do not value. To be honest, I asked no one what they thought about my idea of going back to school besides my dad and my boyfriend. Both people who are very important to me, know me well, and I strongly value their opinion. They both said.. “yeah why not? I think that would be great for you”. Other than that, I told no one, nor did I care too. When you allow room for outside opinions you are going to hear things that are not helpful, negative, and different. Unfortunately, those opinions sometimes sway us to change our minds and not follow our gut. My advice.. only ask for advice from people who you trust, value, and are living a life that you look up too.
Whether it comes to being unfulfilled in your job, your relationship, or your day to day routine, I challenge you to start digging deeper on what you can do to change that. I believe life is WAY too short to not believe in yourself and do the things that are calling you. If you do not believe in yourself, who will?
I always love to hear about any big leaps you have made and how you feel about them now! Stay well xx
Nicole x
