How to navigate through the feelings of leaving what once was your dream career
For years leading up to my departure, I knew that teaching wasn’t my forever career. I was sick of coming home late and being completely exhausted to do anything, even just having a conversation. I would call my husband every day after work and he would consistently point out that I rarely have positive things to say about my day. I was hurting from not being appreciated by my students and their parents. I was waiting for things to get better, but they just never seemed to.
I remember when I was finally ready to walk away. After 5.5 years of being the absolute best teacher I possibly could, a situation happened that made me realize that no matter how much I do, how much I care, how hard I work… It will never be enough in this career. I went home in hysterics that day, and just a few days later, I discovered Virtual Assistance. It felt like it was meant to be.
But knowing that I was ready to leave came with obstacles, and I get people in my emails and DM’s every single day describing these same feelings to me. It wasn’t an easy decision to move on from teaching, but with these things in mind, I felt more confident in doing so.
1. Expect judgment & unsupportive colleagues
This was a tough one to swallow because as teachers, most of us are people pleasers by nature. We enjoy making people happy. We find joy in making others proud. So when you make a decision that isn’t going to fit in everyone else’s idea of what you “should do,” it’ll ruffle some feathers.
The biggest thing that I’ve come to realize through my transition is that people will judge you no matter what you do. Those same people that will talk about you when you leave? You best believe they’ve already talked about you when you stayed, too. The reality is– This isn’t a you issue. This is their not-so-healthy way to make themselves feel better about whatever demons they are facing. Remember this: “What you say about others says a lot about you.”
2. Be excited & confident when talking about your next adventure
The more confident you are in your next adventure, the better off you’ll be. If you go around talking about your next chapter as if you’re super nervous and unsure, not only will others doubt you, but you’re also going to doubt yourself. Be PROUD of your braveness. Be PROUD that you’re doing something that so many people are too scared to do. You’re taking a chance on yourself, you’re going to make it work, and you feel ready for what is to come.
3. Know that there will never be the “perfect time”
There is no perfect time for taking a risk. Because the truth is… When you’re nervous to do something, you’ll actually keep making excuses as to why now ISN’T the right time, and you’ll find yourself doing this over and over again until years have passed by.
It reminds me of when my best friend wanted to break up with her a-little-too-clingy boyfriend. She didn’t want to do it that week because it was Valentine’s Day. And then the week after was his mom’s birthday. The week after that, they had a weekend planned together. And then in March, it would be their anniversary. The excuses went on and on, and she continued in an unhappy relationship for many, many months after that… All because she was trying to find the “right time.”
I left teaching in the middle of the school year… I know for a fact that it wasn’t the “right time” for my administrators or my students, but I needed to do it for me. And I’m SO thankful I did it when I did, because I spent the year of 2023 living the absolute BEST year of my life. I didn’t wait for summer, I didn’t wait until I was completely burnt-out. I took a chance and did it when the opportunity presented itself to me. And most of the time, that’s all it takes to find true success & happiness.
4. Know that you will miss parts of teaching, and that’s okay
I get this message all of the time from burnt-out teachers:
“I want to leave teaching, but…
– I’m scared I’ll miss my students”
– I’m nervous I’ll miss my breaks”
– I’m scared that I’ll leave and then regret it”
The list could go on and on. Listen, there are good parts to EVERYTHING. Teaching is a hard career, but it’s not the worst career in the world. There are perks to teaching that you may miss, and that’s okay.
It’s kind of like moving out of your parent’s house. Sure, you might miss getting dinner made for you or getting your phone bill paid for… But making the jump to do what is best for you is going to be so worth it in the end.
The truth is… I don’t miss being a classroom teacher. In fact, there are soooo many parts of teaching that I DO NOT miss. But I do miss my students. I do miss the fun days like our school’s dodgeball tournament. I do miss that last-day-of-school feeling. Yes, I do miss some things, but not enough to ever go back. I missed out on so much life as a teacher, and that’s what I never want to miss again.
5. Remember that it’s okay to be sad after making the right decision
I’ll keep this one short, because it truly speaks for itself. Leaving something that once meant everything to you is difficult. You’ll grieve teaching. You’ll have a lot of doubts in the beginning. You’ll feel extreme FOMO when you see things happening at your school.
All of these things are okay. Being sad about a decision doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice. It means that you had a true love for what you let go of, and that’s something to be celebrated. You’re onto a new adventure, and eventually, that sadness will turn into assurance.
If you’re ready to take the leap and start your career journey outside of the school walls, click here to join my completely FREE masterclass to see how I did it, and hundreds of other burnt-out educators are doing it, too.
