When is Enough Enough?

There were jobs I stayed in longer than I wanted to.

Not because I loved them, but because they gave our family stability. I knew how lucky I was to have work that paid the bills. But even when I felt grateful, I also felt a longing to do something meaningful, worthy of my time away from home.

The commute was long. The work was fine but not fulfilling. I did it well, but my heart wasn’t in it anymore.

And then there were jobs I didn’t get to leave on my own terms. One moved across the country. Another shut down entirely. It wasn’t personal, but it still left me with that quiet ache that comes when something ends without much warning and the ego hit that comes with it.

The Subtle Knowing

Sometimes, I’d feel that subtle inner knowing that I was outgrowing a role, even before I had words for it.

And then the uncomfortable truth would surface: I’m good at this, but I don’t want to do it anymore.

Not every shift was conscious, and not every ending was chosen, but the discomfort always had something to teach me.

Watching Others Stay Stuck

During those years, I watched people around me hold onto jobs that drained them. They were stuck in a lifestyle that made change feel impossible. Mortgages to pay, reputations to uphold, responsibility.

They didn’t love their work, but they believed they had no other choice.

It’s the finality that I’ve never been able to accept, the idea that you “couldn’t possibly” do something differently. Because when you believe that you stop looking for what might be possible.

Possibility Over Perfection

I’m not talking about reckless leaps. I’m not ignoring how hard the job market can be or pretending there’s always an easy way out. But I’ve seen what happens when people stay in roles that make them miserable out of obligation, comfort, or misplaced loyalty. And I’ve seen what happens when someone dares to believe there might be another way.

It’s not that I always felt confident or had the perfect plan, but I did believe this: even when the options are hard or even lousy, they are still options.

You don’t have to burn it all down.
You don’t have to love every minute of your work.
But you do deserve to feel alive in the life you’ve chosen.

A Gentle Reminder

Transitions don’t always come with certainty, but they do come with choice.

Reflection Question: What version of “I couldn’t possibly” has been holding you back, and what is one small way you could challenge it?

✨ If this spoke to you, I’d love for you to subscribe to my blog or connect with me on LinkedIn. And if you’re navigating a career transition and need support, you can always book a free consultation.