I was 28 when the pandemic first started. The world was a complete shit show, but ironically it was the first time in years that I felt like I could breathe at work. I unfortunately found myself in a toxic work environment that led to severe burn out. When we shifted to online work, it created a distance that I desperately needed. I took the opportunity to move across the country and start somewhere fresh and I never looked back.

As I settled into my new life, I came to the realization that what I was doing, didn’t really matter. Because let’s be real — what good is hitting your KPIs on an ad campaign if the world is on fire around you? I entered into a professional crisis where I didn’t feel fulfilled, but I felt stuck. So, I just kept going. I found a new job, started healing from burn out and tried to find meaning in my after-work activities.

This worked for a few years honestly. But over the last year or so, the feelings I had previously came rushing back to me. With bad leadership becoming the norm, clients regularly having unrealistic expectations, continuously working late nights/weekends with no additional pay or benefits, and AI looming over our shoulders; it all just became too much for me to really enjoy what I was doing anymore.

So, I decided at 34 that it was time to find a new path. I quit my job and decided that I will go back to school full time. It’s a scary decision, but sometimes you just have to take the leap. When I’ve discussed this with other people, they regularly say that they want to go back to school or change careers, but have a list of reasons why they can’t. And I get it; it was a tough decision for me too. And to be completely honest, it’s not a decision I could have made without my support system.

But whether you’re making big changes or starting small, it’s never too late to make a change. We’re on this planet too long to be miserable every day. If you’re looking for a change like me, I hope that you find it. Use your support systems and look for mentors to help you out. You’d be surprised at the support you can find if you just take the first step and talk about it.