Why am I writing this blog?

Q: What exactly do you plan to do in the creative industries, and how will this build on all the skills and experience you’ve gained in your career so far?

Another good question.

The honest answer is that: I have no clear idea. 

I, like many others it seems, have gone through the same cycle of not feeling fulfilled/excited about their job, having a look around for other opportunities, putting in some applications to new jobs which sound like a logical next step, nothing seems to be exciting or go anywhere, think about changing career entirely, not having the time or energy to do this and don’t have a clear idea on what to do anyway, get depressed and demotivated, drink wine and smoke a lot, think current job isn’t too bad after all and it pays pretty well, tell self I’ll figure things out eventually and that nobody really likes their job anyway or they wouldn’t call it work. Rinse and repeat each year.

I guess the point of that meandering rant is that I always thought you needed a fully crystalised dream to make a change, otherwise what are you aiming for and how to you move towards it? 

But I’ve come to learn, and believe, that it’s OK not to know, and that finding out is both half the battle and half the fun (so, like, a quarter of a fun battle?)

Q: How are you going to make a career shift like this when working a full time job?

So here’s where the massive privilege comes swooping in…

I’m able to do this for two main reasons: 

Firstly, I managed to save up a decent amount of money from my time in consulting and weirdly, always had it earmarked in a “how many months can I survive if I lost my job tomorrow” way. 

Secondly, on hearing of my intention to leave, my employer has offered a very generous severance package whereby I have been given a number of months at full pay in which to find a new job. I plan to use this time to have a full crack at this career change and see how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Note: I am more than aware of the privilege afforded to me here and realise what an absurd, once in a lifetime letting-the-water-hold-me-down type of opportunity this is. But in some ways, working 15-16 hour days regularly and sacrificing personal my personal life, time with family and friends, and my own mental health, I think I can consider this a modicum of payback.

However as I know how privileged this position is, I feel compelled to make a fundamental change to my life and, in doing so, want to try to give back in some small way by hopefully providing some inspiration, insights and strategies I learn along the way to help others (maybe you?) who may be on the same path and who do not have the luxury of this time.