I Dont Hate My Current Job. Is A Career Change A Crazy Idea

“I Dont Hate My Current Job. Is A Career Change A Crazy Idea” Help from our Community “I Dont Hate My Current Job. Is A Career Change A Crazy Idea?” * Nora isn't unhappy in her job, but she can't shake the feeling that there's something else out there. Is she being ungrateful for what she's got, or is this a valid reason to change career? What's your career history and current job? I work as a teacher in a Steiner School. When I finished university I wanted to focus on my art, so I did freelance illustration for a while. But the money was unreliable and I got lonely hanging out on my own in my studio all the time, so I started assisting a teacher in my local Steiner School with her art lessons. From there I've trained and developed, and now I have my own class. How do you feel about your work? I actually really enjoy it. It's not amazing money and there are some very tough days, but on the whole I like my job. My colleagues are great, my kids are lovely, and I really respect and enjoy the Steiner method of education. I'm proud to do what I do. But I can't help feeling restless. It's corny, but it feels like there's something inside me calling out to be noticed; or like there's a string attached to something far away and it's being gently tugged. I just have a feeling there's more out there for me to experience. Of course my job is great, but do I really want to be a teacher in this school for the rest of my life? Sometimes I watch a documentary on architecture or permaculture or travel, and I just want to burst out of my skin with excitement. Is it too much to ask that my life and my career feels THAT great, at least sometimes? I haven't felt that way about my current job since the week I started. What would you like to be doing instead? Travelling? Studying? Maybe something with animals and conservation work? An outdoor job? Something to do with permaculture? Music? Crafts? I don't know for sure, but I want to test myself, and to find out what I'm capable of. I want to try lots of different things before I settle into a long-term career, and I want to know what this tug on my heart is pulling me towards. What's the biggest obstacle in your way? I'm a pretty flaky person; I get distracted by shiny objects. I wonder if I've been in my job for a while now and the shine has just rubbed off, rather than a career change actually being the right thing for me. For the first time in my life I can pay my bills and smile on my way into work in the morning; isn’t it ridiculous to consider giving that up? I've been reading previous Café entries and I feel embarrassed that this is my problem. It doesn't seem very serious; I wonder if I'm just being selfish and flighty. Maybe I should just accept that I found a great job really early on in my career, and be grateful for that. Can you help Nora? Have you been in a similar situation, or are you in the same boat right now? Do you think she should start thinking seriously about a career change, or settle down in the job she enjoys? Do you know anyone she could talk to? Share your thoughts in the comments below and click the thumbs-up button to show your support. Give Nora a cheer of encouragement by hitting the thumbs-up button here: