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.
- 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.
