This Isn’t It Anymore: How I Pivoted (A Lot) to Find My Purpose
There’s this moment you might recognize.
When the thing you used to want stops feeling right.
When you look around at the life, job, or plan you’ve built and think:
Wait… do I even want this anymore?
That moment? It’s not failure. It’s a pivot point.
And I’ve had more than a few.
I’ve spent a lot of years learning to trust those moments when something no longer fits—even when I couldn’t explain why.
This post is a look at a few of the most important lessons I’ve learned:
You’re allowed to pivot. And it doesn’t make you flaky, broken, or behind.
You’re allowed to change your mind. You’re allowed to grow out of things.
And you don’t have to feel like a failure just because something no longer fits.
You don’t need a major life crisis to justify the shift.
Sometimes, your body and intuition just quietly whisper:
This isn’t it anymore.
And that alone is reason enough.
This isn’t a tidy how-to guide. It’s a story. My story.
And it might give you the permission slip you’ve been waiting for.
My Not-So-Linear Journey of Career Pivots
If you're wondering whether your own story feels too “all over the place,” here’s a quick scroll through my own Greatest Hits playlist of career pivots:
From KFC employee at age 15 to…
Project Engineer
Legal Secretary
Executive Assistant
Back to Project Engineer (because looping back is a real part of growth)
Office Manager
Real Estate Broker
Freelance Writer & Editor
Website Designer
Entrepreneur
Research Assistant
University Professor (yes, I got the Ph.D. and everything)
Senior Corporate Executive
Consultant
Day Trader
Etsy Shop Owner
Coach
…and honestly, I’m probably forgetting something.
If you’re thinking, “Wow, her LinkedIn must look unhinged…” you’d be absolutely correct. 😂
And yet? Every single shift made sense at the time.
Every pivot brought me closer to myself.
Even when it looked like I was going backward, stalling out, or completely losing the plot.
And yes—I used to worry about what it all might look like from the outside.
(Spoiler: it just makes me human.)
Why Pivoting Feels So Hard (Even When It’s the Right Move)
The pivot itself usually isn’t the problem—it’s what we make it mean.
We think:
“But I already invested so much in this path.”
“People will think I failed or couldn’t cut it.”
“I don’t want to look flaky or lost.”
But what if changing direction isn’t a breakdown?
What if it’s a breakthrough?
Realignment is not failure. It’s clarity in motion.
Let me say that again: just because you started something doesn’t mean you have to finish it. Especially if it’s no longer aligned with who you're becoming.
Also: You’re Allowed to Be Multi-Passionate
Let’s normalize this too: pivoting doesn’t only mean leaving one thing behind.
Sometimes it just means letting yourself expand.
You can do work that supports you and lights you up.
You can love structure and crave freedom.
You can be wildly creative and deeply strategic.
I run multiple businesses—each one expressing a different side of who I am.
One leans into my educator heart. Another taps into my inner strategist. Another gives space for my creative, intuitive self to play.
They don’t compete with each other. They complete the picture.
I’m not one thing—and neither are you.
Your wholeness isn’t a problem to solve.
It’s your power source.
It’s your magic.
Signs It Might Be Time to Pivot
Sometimes, the signs show up quietly.
Not as big, dramatic red flags—but as whispers, nudges, a growing sense that something’s just… off.
If you’ve felt any of these lately, it might be your inner wisdom trying to get your attention:
You’re dreading something that used to excite you
You keep fantasizing about doing something else
You feel disconnected from your own goals
You can no longer drum up enthusiasm, creativity, or good ideas; you’ve lost your spark
You’re exhausted, even after “rest”
You hear yourself saying, “I’m just not sure anymore…”
Sound familiar?
That’s not laziness. It’s not flakiness. It’s not you “being all over the place.”
That’s clarity—still in progress.
That’s your intuition quietly pointing you toward something new.
You don’t need to have the whole plan figured out. You just need to listen.
Want more signs to look out for? Check out this gentle guide to help you notice when you’ve outgrown your current path.
How to Pivot (Even If You Kinda Want to Burn It All Down)
If you’re feeling the pull to change course, try this:
Start by naming what’s shifted.
You don’t need a five-year plan or a dramatic exit strategy.
You just need to notice what no longer feels true—what feels heavy, what feels forced, what used to light you up but now feels flat. Awareness is where the real change begins.
Detach from other people’s expectations.
Their opinions don’t live your life—you do.
Yes, people might not get it. They might question your choices or wonder why you're "giving up something good." That’s okay. You’re not here to live out someone else’s version of “success.” You’re here to live yours.
Let your next step be small and intentional.
You don’t have to leap. You can sidestep.
Try the class. Send the email. Take the afternoon off just to think. Big changes often start with small, quiet moves—ones that feel easy to underestimate but powerful to experience.
One of my biggest pivots actually started this way.
I spent a few quiet hours in a local bookstore—just reading, journaling, and letting myself breathe. That tiny window of space gave me the clarity I’d been chasing for weeks. I left with a clearer sense of what I wanted, a rough timeline for making an exit, and—most importantly—the courage to take the first step.
It wasn’t dramatic. But it was mine.
And it was enough to set a new chapter in motion.
Trust that your timeline is allowed to change.
Progress is not a straight line—it’s a spiral.
There’s no deadline on becoming who you’re meant to be. Your growth may include loops, pauses, and pivots that don’t make sense to others—but they will to you.
Prioritize what brings you energy—not just results.
Alignment isn’t always productive. But it’s always powerful.
When you follow what feels energizing—even if it doesn’t seem “useful” yet—you’re creating a path that’s sustainable, soulful, and deeply yours.
You Get to Pivot (Even Mid-Step)
You don’t need permission to change your mind—but if you were waiting for a sign?
This is it.
You’re allowed to evolve. To grow out of old goals. To realize that what once made sense just... doesn’t anymore.
This isn’t about quitting. It’s about choosing.
Choosing something that fits better. Feels truer. Honors who you are right now.
You’re allowed to change direction.
You’re allowed to be multiple things at once.
And you’re allowed to begin again—without making it mean you failed the first time.
And by the way? There are no rules. You don’t have to stay at a job for a certain number of years or hang on until it “makes sense on paper.” You don’t need to justify your timing to anyone.
I left academia right as I was earning tenure—which, to most people, sounded absolutely batsh#t crazy. But here’s the truth: I was burned out and unhappy. I didn’t love the culture. The politics were exhausting. And deep down, I knew it wasn’t my path anymore.
Staying wouldn’t have made it better. It just would’ve made me feel more stuck.
The bottom line? If your gut is whispering that it’s time to pivot… maybe it’s time to listen.
(Note: If you’re feeling overwhelmed and totally zapped of energy, it might not be you—it might be burnout. This post breaks down how to recognize the signs and what to do next.)
Want Help Navigating Your Next Pivot?
If you’re in a season of shift and want more clarity, calm, and direction, my free 7-Day Slow-Living Challenge is a gentle place to start.
Inside, you’ll get short, actionable prompts to help you:
Slow down without guilt
Reconnect with your values
Make aligned choices (even in the messy middle)
No hustle. No pressure. Just space to breathe and begin again.
