Step Into the Room Before You Belong There

There comes a moment when you feel it in your body before you even admit it to yourself: this job, this role, this industry—it no longer fits. You’ve outgrown it. Maybe it once brought you pride, even passion. But now? You feel a slow-burning “not this anymore” rising in your chest, and it’s getting harder to silence.

You want a change. A meaningful one.

But when people say “follow your passion,” you want to roll your eyes.
Because what if you’re not even sure what that passion is anymore?

Welcome to the sacred crossroads of reinvention. You’re not lost—you’re being invited into your next evolution. And even if you don’t yet know what comes next, that doesn't mean you can’t begin.

Here’s how to get curious, get clear, and start moving forward—without throwing everything away or pretending you have it all figured out.

💡Pro tip: I love this book for career pivoters: Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans – it’s the best combo of clarity + creativity I’ve seen in years.

Start by Honoring What You Already Know (Even If It’s Just ‘Not This’)

Let’s drop the pressure to have a perfect plan.
Sometimes the most honest place to begin is with what’s no longer working.

Maybe you’ve become so good at something that you’ve boxed yourself into it. Maybe your job looks impressive on paper but feels like a slow leak to your energy. Maybe you’ve checked all the “success” boxes but feel completely disconnected from joy.

That knowing is not a breakdown—it’s guidance.

Try this mini reflection exercise:

Draw two columns. Label the left side “What I’m no longer available for.” Label the right side “What I want more of.”

No filters. No edits. Just write.

What you’ll begin to see are the emotional breadcrumbs. The patterns. The invitations. You don’t need a new job title yet—you need to reconnect to your values.

If you're ready to go deeper, I created a guided Career Values Workbook to help you get clear on what truly matters in your next chapter. It’s designed to help you identify what energizes you, what drains you, and what absolutely must be present in your next role or reinvention.

👉 You can purchase the workbook here in my shop.

Reconnect with the Threads of What’s Always Lit You Up

You haven’t lost your passion. It’s just buried beneath all the responsibilities, titles, and shoulds you’ve collected over the years.

Think back.

What kinds of challenges energize you?
What conversations leave you buzzing with ideas?
What were you drawn to before your resume told you who you were?

These aren’t frivolous questions. They’re clues.

Suggested Read:
📚 The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna – This book is a soulful, visual exploration of what happens when we trade obligation for meaning. It’s the perfect companion when you’re trying to remember what you want.

Still feeling stuck?

Try revisiting your childhood curiosities or the things you always find yourself talking about—even when you’re off the clock. Sometimes our next direction isn’t new—it’s just been waiting for us to make eye contact again.

To help you reconnect with that part of yourself, I’ve included a free downloadable coaching tool called What Makes Your Heart Sing—a simple yet powerful reflection exercise to help you remember the things that used to light you up (and maybe still do).
✨ Download it here

Experiment Before You Leap

Here’s where most people get frozen: they think they need to quit their job, get a degree, or make a grand announcement on LinkedIn before they’re allowed to explore something new.

That’s backwards.

You don’t pivot by making a leap. You pivot by taking intentional steps while still grounded where you are.

Start small. Pick one thing to explore this month:

Take a short course in something that sparks curiosity.
Shadow someone who’s doing work that fascinates you.
Volunteer your talents to a mission-driven organization.
Start a blog, podcast, or side hustle that lets you try on a new identity.

These aren’t distractions. They’re data collection. You’re learning what fits—before you commit.

Suggested Resource:
🎓 Coursera Plus Membership – With access to thousands of professional courses and certificates from Yale, Google, and more, Coursera is an empowering way to explore career interests across industries—whether you’re curious about business strategy, UX design, psychology, creative careers, or project management. No pressure, just possibilities.

Reframe the Story You’re Telling Yourself

Reinvention often brings up imposter syndrome. “Who am I to start over?” “Will anyone take me seriously in a new field?” “Am I too old? Too late?”

Let’s get one thing straight: you are not starting from scratch. You are starting from wisdom.

Your experience—no matter what industry it’s in—has gifted you with transferable skills, emotional intelligence, and leadership. You just need to learn how to speak the language of where you want to go.

Here’s how:

Rewrite your LinkedIn summary as if you’re speaking to your future boss or collaborator. What do you want to be known for?
Identify three qualities that have always defined your success, no matter the job. Focus on those.
Start telling people that you’re exploring a new chapter—not because you’re lost, but because you’re evolving.

Suggested Read:
📘 Reinvention Roadmap by Liz Ryan – A smart, strategic guide to career storytelling and soulful pivots. Perfect if you need help translating your journey into language that opens doors.

Let the Path Unfold, Even If You Can’t See the Whole Thing Yet

You don’t need to wait until you have all the answers to start walking.

Career pivots are rarely linear. They’re messy, rich, clarifying, and yes—sometimes humbling. But every small step you take toward alignment reveals more of what’s meant for you.

Some days will feel clear. Others will feel like you’re back at square one. This is not failure. This is how change actually works.

Your only job right now? Stay curious. Keep experimenting. And don’t ignore the quiet nudges—they’re rarely wrong.

Suggested Read:
📚 The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron – Even if you’re not in a creative field, this book is powerful for rediscovering inner clarity and permission. Morning Pages alone will shift how you listen to yourself.

Before You Go…

If this post felt like I was sitting across from you at the kitchen table, it’s because I’ve been exactly where you are. Reinvention doesn’t happen in a flash. But with the right questions, the right support, and the right next step—it happens.

💬 Feeling the pull to pivot—but not sure what that even looks like?

You don’t need a five-year plan. You need a safe, smart place to land while you figure out what’s next.

That’s exactly what my 75-minute Career Clarity Session is designed for. We take that “I know it’s not this” feeling and start shaping it into something you can actually work with. Real insight. Real direction. Real strategy.

If you're feeling the nudge to have a trusted partner in your corner—someone who’s been through reinvention (more than once) and knows how to guide you without the fluff—
✨ Click here to learn more or book your session.

You don’t have to leap.
You just have to start.

✨ Because I Value Your Trust

Some of the links shared in this post are affiliate links. That means if you choose to purchase something I’ve recommended, I may receive a small commission—at no additional cost to you. I only ever share resources I genuinely love and believe can support your path. Thank you for helping me continue this work.

Not This, But What? How to Navigate a Career Crossroads Without a Map