For years I followed the path others expected me to follow, both in education and career. The fear of letting the people around me down was greater than the need to do what felt right for me. This is not a viable long term plan. Believe me. It all went good for 10 years or so, I had a decent paying job, but it did not go anywhere or made me happy in any way. Over the summer holiday a few years back, I really got to thinking about why I did this to myself, why I stayed with the job I so clearly disliked? I could not find an answer that included me and my well being.
After thinking about it some more, I decided to don't care about what others thought of me, and follow my own path. Do something I wanted to do, and that I cared about. So I quit my job, without any sort of financial security. I started my own small company, and never looked back. Even though I've never worked as hard as I have since I went self employed, I've also never been happier. I do work that makes me happy, and have the freedom to turn down clients that don't respect me and my terms.
Now, I don't say that everyone should quit their jobs and go self employed, I just urge you to think about the path you're on in life, and think if its the path you want to be on, or if its a path you've chosen to follow due to outside influences.
Even now that I'm struggling with health issues and can't work as much as I am used to, and thus making less money, I still believe I've made the right choice. It's only temporary. I strongly believe that if you do something that makes you happy, you'll be more successful than you ever would if you just took the first job offer you could get. And after all, we're in it for the long haul, so if I have to make due with less money now to build something that can facilitate a better life when I'm older, and support my family after I'm gone - I'm good with that. As long as I do something that I chose myself, for myself. My own path.
xoxo,
leanvix