My recent career breakup

Leaving a job is a lot like a breakup. Both require awkward conversations, the giving back of stuff and the much anticipated final goodbye. I discovered this comparison last week after I gave my notice at the job I’ve been faithful to for almost three years. I found myself using phrases like:

“It’s not you, it’s me.”
“I just don’t see this working out long term.”
“We’ll keep in touch and still be friends.”
“We both want different things.”

Wanting different things is what it all boiled down to. My career was headed one way but my heart was somewhere else. Through a series of events it became overwhelmingly clear that it was the right time for a big change.

This week marks my last days at a job that launched my career coming out of college and I can’t be thankful enough for the opportunities I was given and the experience I gained. I am saying farewell to a large, successful company, a window office (that I’ve only had for a week!), some truly amazing colleagues and friends, and the career path that “makes sense”.

Often it’s not about what makes sense on paper, for your bank account or to those around you. It’s about taking a risk, trying something new and listening to your heart. Cheesy, but true.

On Friday, I close the door on an invaluable and stretching experience. On Monday, I open the door to a whole other world.

Enter, Anthropologie.