Finding Myself Outside the 9-to-5

The Illusion of Finding Myself Through Work

I spent way too much of myself on my career, thinking it would somehow lead me to who I really am. But it didn’t. Looking back, I realize there was nothing truly me in any of it. Work was just a way to make a living—survival mode—not a way to actually live. I poured my heart and soul into something that could never give back, and in the process, I lost touch with who I am. I let society steer me, following the standard path everyone expects. But in doing that, I ignored what I really wanted.

At the Edge of Something New

Now, here I am, standing at the edge of something unknown. I picture myself in a forest, surrounded by towering trees, crickets chirping, birds singing, and creatures rustling around me. It feels like an invitation to step forward, but honestly? I don’t know where to start. I’ve gotten so good at being the person I was “supposed” to be—the one who goes to college, lands a corporate job, and checks all the boxes. But that’s not the road I want to keep following.

Finding My Own Way

I want to wander off the beaten path, explore the unknown, and take in the sounds, smells, and mysteries of nature. I crave that space to figure things out. It’s not going to happen all at once, and I know it won’t change my life overnight, but it’s a start. And right now, a start is exactly what I need.