As I wind down here at my current job, it’s been interesting to see people’s reactions when I tell them I’m leaving and why. I’ve gotten lots of blank stares and polite nods, which was to be expected. And granted, I haven’t done the best job articulating this whole transition in under this many words. I mean, where do you even begin?
“I’m leaving to… go try new things.”
Awkward silence.
“I want to go… explore my passions.”
Blank stare.
“You see, I need to… go figure myself out.”
Polite nod.
“Well,” they say. “Good luck!”
And they mean it. But they don’t get it. (Sometimes I wish I could just give them a handful of blog posts to read. Then maybe they would understand.)
I’ve made my peace with the fact that abandoning your good job during an economic recession just won’t make sense to a lot of people. And why would it? It doesn’t make sense to me. There is no logical explanation to justify this decision. But then again, this is not a decision I’m basing on logic. This is a decision I’m making with my heart. I’m done with all that logic stuff.
Far more interesting than the reactions from the folks who don’t get it, are the reactions from the folks that do.
My uncle’s first reaction was, “She’s leaving her job, is she crazy? Has she seen the unemployment numbers?”
But then, “On second thought, when I was her age, I quit my job, sold all my stuff and moved halfway across the country to California. There was no rhyme or reason to it, other than the fact that it was what I thought I needed to do.”
I’ve gotten other such feedback.
My wedding photographer said, “I went through pretty much the same thing. In fact, ten years ago this month, I had law school applications on my desk before I had my own epiphany that I should pursue what made me happy and not what was expected of me. I am so happy for you that you’ve made this decision.”
Even a reporter I barely know told me, “I left a high position in a Fortune 400 company in San Francisco about 12 years ago on my own steam. Lost some security but gained a lot of freedom. Haven’t looked back.”
So yes, I’m going way out a limb here. I realize that. But I’m not so far out that I can’t see the tree.
And I know now that I’m not alone out there.
Good luck lady! You will be surprised (and relieved) to see how much your life will change when you really, truly pursue what you love in your life right now. And you will be amazed to see how that love & passion will morph into something completely new and unexpected … and fun! And hey, even if it doesn’t really work out, then as Voltaire says, “If we do not find anything pleasant, at least we shall find something new”. =)
Shelley,
I perfectly understand where you are coming from! At the end of last year, I quit my job that I had for seven years to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. People thought I was crazy. I had good benefits and I was really close to home. However, I was not happy, and it reflected in my job performance. I have always been one to worry about other people’s opinions of me, but my husband gave me some good advice. He told me that I shouldn’t worry about what other people think of me or say about me. Over the last few years many obstacles have come in my path, but I never gave up on my dream. Some may think that I am foolish for following my dream. Now that I am sooo close to making it a reality, it is worth putting up with all of the b.s. from everyone. I must say that I am lucky that God has given me this opportunity. You have to be happy with who you are. There must be a reason that you are unhappy with your job , and if you want to pursue something else, more power to you. Not many people have the determination to pursue their dreams. That is the kind of stock that you and I come from. It’ in our blood. Our ancestor, Marie Therese did not give up on the determination to free every single one of her children and worked tirelessly to do it. She ended up owning her own land, which was unheard of in those days, particularly for a black woman. I always think about her when I get down on myself and feel like giving up.
Hey Shelley – I came across this hypothesis that I thought was interesting, and thought you might too. The guy defines ‘passion’ as:
Passion: The feeling that arises from have mastered a skill that earns you recognition and rewards.
Post is here:
http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/11/24/are-passions-serendipitously-discovered-or-painstakingly-constructed
Unless you’ve already seen it? I’m always wary of sharing links with people who are more up with the internets than I…;) Curious as to your thoughts, though.
Hey Shelley – Reading about what you’re going through career-wise has comforted me because I can definitely relate. I’ve had a great, secure job in Los Angeles for the past three years…and I’ve had a blast. I’m surrounded by great people and I’m learning so much every day. But lately I’ve been questioning things and wondering if this really is the path I want to go down in my career. Do I really want to be in the television industry in twenty years? I’m enjoying it at the moment, but it’s not really making me feel completely fulfilled. The problem is, I don’t know what WOULD make me feel completely fulfilled. It’s something I’m struggling with right now and I really don’t have any answers. I admire your courage to break away and seek things that do genuinely excite you. I wish you the best.