Chatted with a former coworker and it made me rethink my whole 5 year plan

Ran into my old team lead Sarah from my first job at a coffee shop in Portland last weekend. She told me she quit her corporate data job to become a park ranger at age 42 and makes way less money but is way happier. It hit me hard because I've been grinding for a promotion I don't even really want just because everyone says I should. Has anyone else completely pivoted careers later in life and regretted it or loved it?

2 comments

2 Comments

ellis.susan1mo ago

are you really gonna throw away years of experience and a stable paycheck just because one person found happiness in a different job? I mean, she's one person out of millions. Maybe she just got lucky or had savings to fall back on. Also, that "happiness" talk is a luxury you can't always afford when bills are due.

jana_ellis951mo ago

@ellis.susan you're not wrong about the bills part... but some people just hit a wall where the paycheck isn't worth the misery anymore. Years of experience can feel like chains if the job is draining your soul dry. It's not always about getting lucky either, sometimes you just decide the risk is worth it.