My favorite job was working for an advertising agency. The vibe was full of energy and so much fun. I was a young mom and it made me feel “cool” again. I worked there for 12 years before they shut down my whole department and I lost my job. To say I was lost after that would be an understatement. I was in a really low place. Although it wasn’t, it felt personal. I felt like my skills and talents weren’t good enough.

After looking tirelessly for months, I finally found something. It was just temporary to begin with, but the job itself was similar enough to my old one and the pay was close to my old salary. I figured that after I put in a couple years, I could move to a different position, or maybe even a different department.

It’s been 4 years and I’ve moved nowhere. I’m still doing the same job I started out with. While this job has served its purpose, I have always felt that it wasn’t challenging enough. It feels like my talents are being wasted. My job doesn’t feel important, and, in turn, I sometimes feel unimportant and unseen. I want to be somewhere that my work matters. Somewhere that challenges me. Somewhere that fosters growth and learning. In short, it’s time to move on.

As a grown-ass woman, and a mom of two teenagers, just thinking about getting a new job is exhausting and terrifying. I dislike starting somewhere new and that weird transition period where you don’t really know anything. But, if I don’t make any moves, I’ll be exactly where I’m at now. Life has taught me that you don’t get anywhere by standing still.

After the New Year, I’ll start my search. I’ll be looking for something that will spark my creativity, provoke some personal and professional growth, help me to feel like what I’m doing day-to-day is important and worthwhile.

If you’ve ever started over, you already know how daunting it can be. I’m ready for this challenge. I’m ready for whatever comes next. I’m ready for the next chapter to begin. I’ll let the fear of the unknown fuel my search. Wish me luck.