One thing that astonishes me is how many people in this world dislike their job. More often than not, people wish they were doing something else but stay where they are because they “have to.” How does anyone get to this point in the first place? Especially those who have degrees and still do not feel satisfied at work. You get stuck in a job you don’t particularly like because you can’t just up and quit – you have to pay the bills, raise your kids, make a living. Work shouldn’t be a chore. If you aren’t happy with what you are doing for a living, what kind of life is that?

I have taken several online quizzes, personality tests, read books and articles and met with career counselors to try and figure out what I am meant to be doing. Sure, these can give you some insight, but how do you know for sure?

After attending school for teaching, I began contemplating whether I wanted to teach or not. Not only because of my personal faults, but for obvious reasons as well. Then I came across Art Therapy, which sounded perfect for me. But what about my art studio I wish to have, my books I want to write, and becoming a psychologist, helping with the mentally ill?  Oh, and when would I have time for my spiritual advancement, inspiring others with my art, maybe become an art professor, and run different Etsy shops?

It is almost as if no matter what I do, I will always wish I was doing something else. Why is this? I want to do everything.  I don’t want to waste my life or miss out on things I may love.

I went to college to become an elementary school teacher. I discovered shortly after graduating that I did not want to teach, at least in the academic public classroom. When I first came to this realization, I thought it was due to fear – fear of failing my students, fear of not being good enough, fear of not being able to handle all of the stress that comes with being a teacher. But after a little soul searching, I discovered that it is more than that.

It occurred to me over the course of a few months that I would not be truly happy teaching in an academic classroom. This is not my calling nor what I am meant to do. At least right now. I still have not put all the pieces together, nor do I have the certainty of where I will be in the end. But one thing I am certain of is that my journey has been a real eye-opener, and led me to other opportunities that I may not have otherwise came across.

If you are anything like me, you always wonder if there is something else you should be doing with your life. I don’t know how many times I have come close to quitting my 10 year job because I felt like my time was being wasted. My work needs to give me purpose and meaning.

But then I realized something.  This job may not feed my soul on a deep level or give me true purpose and meaning, but it does provide me with the freedom and flexibility to pursue those true passions of mine. Or at least it has allowed me the time to figure out what does give me purpose and meaning.

The point is, we all have a choice.  Where we are in any given moment –  in terms of job, relationship, living situation, etc. – is for a reason.  I still struggle with this, sometimes daily, sometimes just a couple times a month.  There are days I truly enjoy my job and other days it hurts my soul being where I am because I know I am meant for much, much more. But I am still here because I want to be. The pros simply outweigh the cons, at least right know, and in the meantime I am able to continue my journey and learn more about myself and what I want on my own terms and my own time.