Do you feel lost in your career and want a career change? Or do you feel stuck where you are, perhaps content, but maybe not challenged, and looking for something different? A lot of people feel “stuck” in their career and dream about something different, but often hold themselves back from making change. It can feel scary to make big changes, but that anxiety may be holding you back from something even better.
It Might Be Time for a New Career
Wherever you are in life, whether it’s the path you chose from an early age or you’ve got “just a job” because you weren’t sure what path you wanted to take, if you feel stuck, unchallenged, or bored, it might mean you need a career change.
Some people knew exactly what their career path would be from an early age. They went to school to accomplish their goals, got the job they wanted, and advanced within that career. But maybe you found your footing, accomplished your goals, and reached your peak. You are well established and stable, but now in your 30s, 40s, or 50s you don’t feel fulfilled anymore.
Bring yourself back to high school. The majority of people were pressured into picking a college. Then by your sophomore year, you had to declare a major with the expectation that you needed to know what you wanted to do career-wise with the rest of your life. You got your diploma, but graduated not knowing what you wanted to do after college, so you just took a job you can get and not something you’re really in love with. Then you just followed that path of moving up a ladder, but never really feeling passionate about your career.
Whatever led you to this point in your career, do you feel stuck? On the other hand, do you feel overly comfortable, complacent, and familiar with where you are at and afraid of change? You may not feel fulfilled, challenged, or passionate about what you are doing, but you might be sticking with it for financial reasons and it’s the life you know and it’s simply OK. For those reasons, changing careers can feel like a daunting task. However, feeling complacent and stagnant can also lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
What Do You Want in Your Career?
Take time to reflect on your current career and what you truly want. What is the spark within you? How can you feel more motivated, passionate, and alive? Is there an old talent you left behind? Is there a current hobby you would like to turn into a career? Are you working too many hours and want a better work-life balance, even if it means a pay cut? Trying to balance family life, health, and personal life can be a way to increase your overall fulfillment and satisfaction. How would your lifestyle change? Are you OK with making less money? How would your lifestyle improve? Would your relationships change? Would you have more time for friends and family? Can you imagine what your life would look like if you took a pay cut but had more free time?
Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
If it’s time for a career change because you want to make more money, try a new challenge or skill, gain knowledge, or follow an old dream, ask yourself, “what’s holding me back?” What makes this job so comfortable? The familiarity? The routine? The people you work with? Maybe it’s the location with an easy commute. Maybe you’re the breadwinner of the family and there’s a financial expectation placed on you. Is it the fear of the unknown? Is status and your job title something important to you, family members, or society?
But what makes your current job uncomfortable is the lack of passion, lack of interest, and boredom. Do you feel trapped into having to live someone else’s idea of success? What makes this job complacent? Are you ignoring that you’re unfulfilled? Is it worth a change to sacrifice some of the familiarity and comfort? If the answer is slightly less, have the conversation – how can life look different?
Be able to challenge yourself out of your comfort zone. Challenge society’s views and family’s expectations. Society tells us that you have to have this kind of lifestyle, make this amount of money, or own this and that in order to be happy and considered successful and a productive member of society. Career, objects, money, status – challenge those norms and have an honest conversation with yourself about what is important to you. If you come from a family of successful people with lucrative careers, there may be pressure and expectations for you to do the same. Maybe you don’t want to upset your family’s standards. Or the expectation is you have to use your degree, otherwise it was a waste. Yes, your degree cost time and money, but are there other ways you can use that degree and the experiences you had? Think outside the box. Challenge those norms and break them down.
How to Manage Anxiety When Changing Careers
When you think about changing your job or career, does it make you anxious? Many people view anxiety as a bad thing, so you run away from the idea of switching careers. Anxiety can be a barrier from making change, but you don’t have to let it. Anxiety isn’t a bad thing. Anxiety is a healthy emotion that signifies something needs to be done and gives us the drive to make change. It brings attention and awareness to what’s going on in your life. So when you think about switching careers and begin to feel anxious, instead of running away from the idea of changing careers, challenge yourself and figure out why that thought makes you feel anxious.
When you switch careers, there may be changes that aren’t as desirable or comforting. You might have a longer commute, a change in your routine or schedule, or less money. All of these can potentially contribute to anxiety, but are also barriers to making changes towards a life that may lead to greater fulfillment in the long run.
Give yourself permission to face your anxiety and go outside of your comfort zones. It’s OK to not adhere to expectations placed on you. You get to determine your priorities and not have someone else’s priorities.Your life is in your control to make those changes and make it happen, and not let those barriers stand in your way. Will you have to make sacrifices? Probably, but tell yourself it’s ok to feel anxious sometimes and make those sacrifices.
Open Communication with Your Partner
If you’re single and living on your own, there may be fewer consequences to switching careers. But if you are partnered and have a family, have these conversations with your partner and ask for support. Have an open dialogue about how you can make it work together. Say these changes are for you, for your mental health, and your priorities. The results of following your dreams may have a better impact on your mental health and your family dynamics. Sure, there will be a lot of anxiety during the transition as you shift, but it’s part of the process. The anxiety around change is normal and expected, but it doesn’t mean you can’t do it. It’s not a bad thing or a sign you shouldn’t do it. Leaving your current career is scary – it’s a big change! Just have honest conversations with yourself and your significant other because it might affect your spouse’s / partner’s life as well.
This change might help you make more money, which can create its own risk. Sometimes when there’s a big change in salary, it can lead to competition between spouses, a shift in dynamics, and a change in gender roles. Whenever there is big change in your life, it can come with both comfortable and uncomfortable changes. Keeping communication open from the beginning helps with anxiety and make smoother transitions, rather than dropping bombs unexpectedly. Recognize the fears, what’s comfortable and uncomfortable, and what the barriers are. But also think about and reflect on what is important to you and share those with your partner so you can move forward together.
Transition is Temporary
Going back to school, starting your own business, switching careers, or even turning your hobby into a profession can potentially create a shift in your budget and schedule; however, keep in mind that you would be making a sacrifice towards a goal you want. The anxiety you feel is temporary and this transition time will take adjusting to, but it’s all a means to an end goal.
Recognize that whatever transition period you go through when changing careers is temporary. There’s room for not liking the new change and you are allowed to go back to the old career. You might make the change then think, “This sucks and the grass is greener on the other side.” You’re allowed to go back to your old career or switch it up again. There’s room for error! There’s room for change and flexibility. Nothing is permanent. Nothing is set in stone.
Using Self-Forgiveness as a Tool to Manage Anxiety
Give yourself grace, permission to make mistakes, and self-forgiveness during this process. Maybe you never went to college and now at 40 you’re going to school. Or maybe you spent a lot of time and money getting an expensive degree that you’re currently not happy with and don’t want to stick to this career path anymore. This realization can lead to guilt, which in turn can create anxiety. Give yourself permission to go against the expectations and norms placed on you by others or yourself. Practice self-compassion and self-forgiveness as you make changes in your life. The more you practice these, the easier it will be to overcome anxiety as you transition into a more fulfilling life.
When you look back, you can be proud of the process and everything you achieved by making sacrifices, trusting yourself, and honoring your values, priorities, and dreams. The transition is temporary. Maybe you can live with this new lifestyle and be content. You won’t know how easy or difficult the change will be unless you try.
Therapy Can Help You Live the Life You Want!
If you are ready for a career change but feel like anxiety is holding you back, therapy can help empower you to figure out your values and priorities, face your fears, and live the life you want. Dr. Violante provides teletherapy (online video therapy) to adults living in Florida and New York, as well as all PsyPact enrolled states (listed below). Contact her online or call (754) 333-1484 to request a HIPAA compliant online therapy session.
Offering Online Therapy in 42 States
I am a licensed psychologist in the states of Florida and New York. Additionally, I have Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) from the PSYPACT Commission. I provide telehealth (online video therapy) to adults living in the 42 participating PSYPACT states listed below. For a list of current PSYPACT participating states, please visit the PSYPACT website at: https://www.psypact.org/psypactmap.
PsyPact enrolled states:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming