Jumping Ship
THIS month four years ago I left my job as a corporate lawyer in Dublin. I am celebrating her, the 33 year old lawyer who didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life. All she knew was, she was not where she was supposed to be and that she was willing to explore.
These are the things that I have discovered from my deep dive.
There is something out there that you will love to do
We all have things that we love, are good at and have a natural ability in. All of us, bar none. If it is not obvious at this very moment then that thing is buried and hidden but can be found. When I started to explore through journaling I literally had no idea what I enjoyed or was interested in. If you asked me what I had a natural ability for or flair, at age 33, I would have hated you for asking.
Flow means you are on the right path
I have learnt when you start to do what you love, you get in flow and success will happen effortlessly. I always felt stuck and awkward as a lawyer, never really feeling like myself. I hated (hated!) speaking at meetings or stepping into a partners office for a chat. When you have to pretend and feign interest; and when you are in places where you don’t feel comfortable, it dampens your spirit. I wilted in there and lost confidence and self-esteem. When you feel at home; when you are interested and passionate; and when you feel of service, you will soar. Your heart will open, your face will brighten, your voice won’t shake and you will step into your power and shine.
Salary cut is inevitable but you will survive
You get creative when you take a big salary cut. I went from a big one to a tiny one, so I had to get clever with my life. I took travel, luxury holidays and clothes shopping off my agenda for the first couple of years. Me and my good pal spent our time exploring Ireland by train. We called ourselves Footloose and we had a ball; two 30-somethings staying in hostel dorm rooms drinking cans and camping on Wicklow beaches. WAY cheaper than my holidays before, WAY more fun and memorable. Thank you Claire. I am still on a lower income than I was as a corporate associate (and way happier). I also know that flow will lead me to financial abundance; it just takes a little longer when you are building it yourself. Savings help; I spent the last year as a lawyer saving madly, excited because I knew I was secretly packing my bags to get the hell off the ship and that effort sustained me in my first few years as a sole trader.
You will shine as your authentic self
The world opens up and listens when you are being your authentic self. Work takes up a lot of our time and while no work is going to be enjoyable all the time; if you don’t feel like its you - as I did for most of my lawyer life - it’s a hard place to succeed. I did well as a lawyer because I pushed, strived and was the good, dutiful girl in work. But I’d have eventually burnt out. In my work now, I follow my bliss, flow and I let my intuition and inner guide lead me. And I have never felt more successful - not because of output or earnings, but just because it feels really good.
SO the most important thing I have learnt is to honour the things that spark our interest. Remind yourself of that little girl or boy -what did she or he want to be as a grown up? What do you spend your free time reading up on? If you could work in any area what would it be? Whose job would you love? If you could start over what would you do? Are you willing to create time and space to let yourself be guided by your desires and interests? What small step can you take towards your dream type of work? These are the questions that are vital for us to sit with.
I ask myself these types of questions all the time because I believe they will lead me to the gold - the fulfilment of my soul’s mission or in easier words, fulfilment, satisfaction and happiness in this life. Because when we follow our hearts, our bliss and our desires, we will light up this world.
It’s not an easy swim, it takes courage, strength and a sense of adventure. But, if it is your intention to find what you love, you will find it. Go for it! There has not been one single moment in the last four years that I have had any regret. Not once I have I looked back wishing I was still on that ship.
***
If you want to hear more about my story and the journey from the shrinking lawyer to where I am now you can listen and read any of the following. I love to hear from you and I love speaking about this topic, so if you would like to connect or work together just get in touch.
