On Friday, I did something BIG. At the grand old age of 26, I did something that my heart has been telling me to do for a little while now. I quit my corporate job.
I quit my corporate job
Wow, that statement still doesn’t feel real!
Before I continue, I just want to be clear: this post isn’t about slating the corporate world or any of my previous employers. It’s not me saying “F**k the system – over and OUT!”.
My message today is about choosing a life path that feels true to you, whatever that may be.
During my 5ish years in office jobs, I have learned invaluable lessons about business and marketing, but also about who I am and what I want. These experiences (good and bad) are what got me to where I am today, and for that, I will always be grateful.
Today, I want to share what’s changed for me and what’s led me here in the hope it helps you see the power of emotional healing (not just physical).
A new perspective
I would NEVER have had the courage or perspective to take this leap if it wasn’t for the steps I’ve taken in the time between my rock bottom and where I am right now.
I want to talk about your relationship with yourself. Do you have a good one? I want to talk about your inner voice. Do you listen to it?
We ALL have intuition. Gut feelings. A deep inherent knowing about what feels good and what feels icky.
However, sometimes this voice is very quiet. Those nudges are very subtle. Our unruly thoughts and mental chatter shout louder than our intuition.
When I first studied marketing it was because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I knew I liked psychology, and business seemed like a “sensible” choice, so studying marketing (and consumer behaviour) made sense. A combination of the two, right?
I felt “okay” about the course. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. (At this point in my life, I mostly loved the partying, let’s be real…)
I entered the corporate world and got a “steady” job. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either.
I often dreamt about Fridays and lamented having to sit in one spot all day, but, I thought “That’s just life”.
That’s just YOUR life though. And you DO have a choice when it comes to how you live it.
When I was hospitalised in 2017, I had a lot of time to reflect on my life. It made me reevaluate and reconsider all the daily choices I was making.
I spent the next year and a half trying to heal my body. However, without initially intending to I also began working on my mind. My emotions. My recurring patterns, limiting beliefs and old stories. It turned out ALL of THAT needed work before I could start feeling like myself again.
The thing about knowing how it feels to lose your sense of self, your health and the perceived “security” of your future is that once you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, you also begin to see – with much more clarity – who you are and what you need.
In those dark hours, you begin to wake up. You realise what really doesn’t matter and what REALLY does.
Things get cut, prioritised, changed and chopped.
For me, a big part of this was owning the fact that no matter how “safe” my marketing career was, it wasn’t where I wanted to be. I longed for work that aligned more with my personal values and purpose, which I can now see so clearly. I also wanted a flexible work day that would allow me to properly look after my health – something I no longer take lightly.
I craved freedom, independence and the ability to make a difference in people’s lives.
Following the nudges
As a health coach and writer, I am now able to express myself in a way that feels right AND has a positive impact on the world.
That is my DREAM. I used to think it was simply that – a dream. But I’m different now. I can feel those nudges. I can sense those pulls.
I can tell the difference between my gut scrunching up and saying “HELL NO” and those nervy butterflies which show up at the idea of something that REALLY lights me up.
Now, instead of letting logic jump in and tell me why there are soo many rational reasons why I shouldn’t take the leap or opportunity in front of me. I freaking jump. Yes, sometimes it feels scary, but every little step or jump I’ve taken so far has given me that extra bit of momentum to make the next move.
I used to live in fear. Now, I lean into fear. And I’m pretty fricking proud of myself for that.
Can you hear your inner voice? Are you making choices that feel right to you? Are you moving in a direction that feels aligned with your values?
Let me know in the comments! Xox
