Okay, so, I’m gonna be real with you. I feel like I’m standing at a crossroads, squinting at a map that’s completely useless. It’s that whole “quarter-life crisis” thing, but specifically career-related. Is it just me, or are a *lot* of people in their late twenties and early thirties feeling this way? Like, we’re supposed to have it all figured out, right? Dream job, perfect apartment, maybe even a dog. But what happens when the “dream job” starts feeling like a waking nightmare?
The “Dream Job” That Wasn’t
I landed what I thought was my dream job right out of college. Graphic design at a trendy startup. Sounded amazing, looked amazing on Instagram, but honestly? It was soul-crushing. Endless revisions, demanding clients, and a constant feeling that I was just a cog in a machine. For the first year, I powered through. I told myself it was just growing pains. That I needed to “pay my dues.”
But after about two years, the burnout was real. I dreaded Mondays more than anything. My creativity was completely zapped. I even started getting physically sick, headaches, stomach problems… you name it. So, I started to wonder if it was just *me*. Was I just not cut out for this? Or was something fundamentally wrong with the path I had chosen?
Uncertainty is the New Normal (Maybe?)
The internet is full of articles telling you to “find your passion!” and “live your best life!” It’s all very inspiring, but also incredibly vague. I mean, how do you even *find* your passion? Is it just supposed to hit you over the head one day? I remember spending hours taking online quizzes, trying to figure out what my “ideal career” was. The results were all over the place. One quiz told me I should be a librarian, another suggested a park ranger. Seriously?
I even paid for a career coaching session. The coach was very nice, but ultimately, it felt like she was just asking me questions I already knew the answers to. “What are your strengths?” “What are your values?” “What are you passionate about?” Like, duh. If I *knew*, I wouldn’t be paying *you*. Ugh, what a mess! I left feeling more confused than ever, and significantly lighter in the wallet.
That One Time I Tried Something Completely Different
Okay, so here’s a little story. Remember how I said I considered becoming a park ranger? Well, I didn’t go full park ranger. But I *did* volunteer for a week at a local nature center. I figured, hey, at least I’d be outside, away from the computer screen. It was… interesting. I spent most of the time cleaning animal cages and leading nature walks for grumpy kids. It definitely wasn’t glamorous.
And I realized something pretty important: I really missed being creative. I missed designing things, even if it was stressful. The nature center was great and all, but I craved the challenge of solving visual problems. This made me think that I might not be completely on the wrong path. Maybe the problem wasn’t graphic design itself, but the specific environment I was in.
Taking the Leap (and Hoping I Don’t Fall)
So, after a lot of soul-searching (and a few tearful conversations with my mom), I decided to quit my job. Yep, I jumped without a net. Scary? Absolutely. Empowering? Also, absolutely. I gave myself a few months to just… breathe. To explore different options, without the pressure of needing to find a new job immediately. I started freelancing, taking on smaller projects that I actually enjoyed. I even took an online course in UX design, something I’d been curious about for a while.
It’s been a few months now, and honestly, I still don’t have all the answers. But I feel a lot more hopeful. Freelancing has given me more control over my schedule and the types of projects I work on. The UX design course is opening up new possibilities. I’m not sure where I’ll end up, but at least I’m moving in a direction that feels right for me.
You’re Not Alone (and That’s Kind of Comforting)
The biggest thing I’ve learned through all of this is that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. Especially in your twenties and thirties. It’s okay to change your mind, to try new things, to make mistakes. We put so much pressure on ourselves to succeed, to find that perfect career, that we forget to just enjoy the process. And let’s be honest, social media doesn’t help. Everyone’s highlight reel makes it seem like they’re crushing it all the time.
But behind those perfectly curated Instagram feeds, there are probably plenty of people just as confused and uncertain as you are. So, if you’re feeling lost, take a deep breath. You’re not alone. And maybe, just maybe, this whole quarter-life career crisis is just a sign that we’re growing, learning, and evolving. Who even knows what’s next? But isn’t that half the fun? And if you’re finding UX design interesting as well, there are tons of resources out there, or even other blog posts about that topic if you are curious.
