The day I knew I couldn't keep doing this

There wasn't one dramatic moment when I decided I needed to leave teaching. No huge argument, no disastrous day at work and no perfectly formed five-year plan that suddenly appeared in front of me. It was much more ordinary than that.

It was a growing sense that I couldn't spend another decade surviving Mondays.

When success no longer feels right

From the outside, my career looked successful. I'd progressed, taken on responsibility and achieved things I was genuinely proud of. There was plenty that was good about it, which actually made the decision to change direction harder. I wasn't walking away from something that was obviously terrible. I was walking away from something that looked perfectly acceptable on paper but no longer felt right for the life I wanted.

I think this is where many women get stuck. We convince ourselves that because we have a good job, a decent salary, a position of responsibility or years of experience behind us, we shouldn't want anything different. We compare our situation to people who have it worse and tell ourselves we ought to be grateful.

But you can be grateful for what your career has given you and still recognise that it isn't where you want to spend the next ten years.

The question worth asking

You also don't need to know exactly what you're going to do instead. That was something I had to learn for myself. Career change isn't necessarily about having the answer before you begin. Sometimes it starts with being honest enough to admit that something needs to change, and then being willing to explore what comes next.

So, if you've been quietly wondering whether your current career is still right for you, here's something I'd like you to do this week. Give yourself ten minutes and answer this question honestly:

If nothing changed, would I be happy doing this for another five years?

You do not need every answer

Don't immediately explain the answer away. Don't think about what you should say. Just notice what comes up.

You don't have to hand in your notice because you answered "no". But you do need to take your own answer seriously.

Try this

Ask yourself honestly: If nothing changed, would I be happy doing this for another five years? Notice your first response before you explain it away.

Ready to explore your next step?

If you are tired of going round in circles and would like calm, practical support, book a 30-minute Advice Call with Claire. You do not need to have all the answers before you begin.

Book your Advice Call

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