10 years ago, I was nearing the end of my school life and leaping onto another beautiful (or so I thought) phase of my life. Assuming those years summed up as a trailer for the movie I titled -'My Awesome Life' (I was young and naive, people!), I looked forward to what life had in store for me. And then I went in complete shock! Like some movies have deceptive trailers to lure you into the theatres, my life had done the exact thing to me!
Today, people who haven't known me for long, would be surprised if I told them I was a constant participant and winner in elocution competitions held in my school and at the inter-school level. The confidence to own any stage, the spark to accomplish greater heights and the zeal to live life and not merely exist started declining since the time I stepped out of my school gates.
What changed? I often used to wonder - Where did that confident little girl vanish?
Until last year, during this time, I was in a constant battle with my thoughts as to what should I do ahead. From where do I source the inspiration and motivation I have been looking for since the past 10 years? I knew it had to do something with my job, I just didn't know what to do about it.
Then came 2019, the year that changed everything for me. And I was amazed that I didn't have to do any heroic stunt to give a spin to my destiny. All it took was a step towards the change I desired. That step which we all hesitate to take. The first move which could change the course of our life magically!
I realized the simplicity of this solution when I had open hearted conversations about this with people around me. From my then manager to all my dear and near ones, I unanimously received responses of support and awe. My manager from my previous organization actually took out time from his crazy schedule to help me analyse my career prospects within his individual capacity. To be honest, I had the urge to learn from him, work under his guidance and never leave that place till the time he was my manager. Only for this reason, how I wish I loved what I did there!
Following my gut instinct, when I sat down to apply for job opportunities in fields I thought I could excel, I was amazed by the fact that this world has so much to offer. Only if you are bold enough to be at its receiving end! Again as luck would have it, my current boss took a leap of faith and trusted me with the work I do now - content writing.
If you ask me what has changed now, I wouldn't be able to stop talking about the impact that this huge career switch has introduced into my life. No more do I crib about going to work. In fact, no more do I think that I am working! An interest for writing since school days coupled with an intense desire to do something worthwhile brought me to the place where I happily stand today.
Was all this easy? A big no. No, wait. A BIG NO! ( Stories of this section calls for another blog post!)This wasn't a piece of cake for me. But is it everybody's cup of tea? A DEFINITE YES! When I began this new journey, I had my lows. Self doubt had become my best friend and literally spent more time with me than my own shadow ( Not even kidding, I can arrange a series of testimonials from my friends and colleagues to prove the authenticity of this statement). Slowly, thanks to the constant positivity injected in me by people around me at work and outside, the medicine of self belief is eventually curing my issues with self confidence. Do you know the most important fact that helped me remain sane and drive past through that period? The reality that I had no regret. Not even for a single moment did I regret my decision of cutting ties with the IT industry. And that is what I want you to take away from this long post. There is no room for regret if you give space to your growth with complete justice and not according to the norms of the society.
What I am trying to say is, the only reason I could change the way I was living is, I wanted to change. That's all. I couldn't settle for a job which I didn't find meaningful. People say, get out of your comfort zone because nothing grows there. To be honest, I was searching for a comfort zone all these years, where I could and want to grow!
I knew I couldn't do that to my future self - the atrocity of being in a place where my heart refused to be present. I couldn't inflict the consequences of my poor choices in my present day to myself, my family, friends and well wishers in the future.
But yes, one thing I should definitely mention here is, I was blessed with the privilege to be courageous. While I made this significant and scary transition in order to open my wings and fly, I had this strong trampoline underneath me where I could fall back on - a bunch of people who love me with all their heart and will do anything in their capacity to push me forward.
It took me one whole decade to do something close to what makes me feel alive. I still have things to achieve, I still haven't found my niche. But today, I can say with assurance that I will for sure. For me, this is an achievement. The ability to understand that the movie, which I dreamt about my life during school times, can be a reality. Only with a small twist - that I am the script writer and nobody else. For the movie to be a flop or a blockbuster, the power lies with me!
So, the next year begins with collecting stories for my 2030 post. I am eager to meet them, hope you are too!
Comments