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 Reflections on My Midlife Career Change

It's been five years since I left my full-time job in advertising.   

At the time, I was properly stressed out. Every project felt like a shitstorm. My heart wasn't in it anymore.   

The sleepless nights were coming thick and fast. I was endlessly ruminating on what I could and should do next.   

For months I felt trapped. I was caught between feeling like I was letting others down and doing what I needed to do for my sanity.   

Not that most people in my agency would have known. It's amazing how much we keep this stuff hidden.   

Eventually, I left - more out of desperation, than with any real plan of what to do next.   

All I knew was that I was in my early 40s. I still had plenty of time to use my skills and experience to do something useful.   

After a massive sense of relief, I procrastinated. This involved a lot of coming up with ideas for books I could write that would change the world. Haha.   

To keep things ticking over, I freelanced. And fortunately have a patient and supportive partner!   

Things started to look up for me when I trained to be a coach. I know a lot of midlife career changers take this option. But for me it was perfect.   

I instantly saw how I could use everything I'd experienced and learned to serve other people in a way that would be personally fulfilling.   

Fast forward to today and my heart is definitely in my work.    

Yes, I make less money than I did in advertising and building a business certainly has its challenges, but the intrinsic motivation and satisfaction more than makes up for this.   

👇 👇 👇   

If you're in the place I was five years ago - and judging by my recent conversations many of you are - the first thing I'd say is talk about how you're feeling.   

Keeping things bottled up does no one any favours.   

Also, try not to make any life-changing decisions from survival mode. Obviously, this is what I did, but I wouldn’t recommend it.   

Any good coach can help you find a healthier, more clear-headed place from which to consider your options.