"Risk it, go for it. Life always give you another chance." Mary Quant
A year ago, I was a manager of communications and marketing for a national organization. I had a top-floor office with a view of the Toronto skyline. I had direct reports, a huge marketing budget, a nice salary, benefits and a pension. I should have been happy as it was what I’d been working towards for 12 years. But I wasn’t.
Rewind to the year 2000. I’d just graduated from journalism school, but found it tough to find a full-time, entry level job in journalism, so I took a job in corporate communications. I loved the job because it required lots of writing, my passion. I also got to hone new skills in graphic design and communications planning. Then I moved onto a more senior position before landing a management position. As I moved up the promotion ladder, I got farther and farther away from my original passion. I was spending more time assigning writing tasks to junior staff and looking at spreadsheets than doing what had originally attracted me to the journalism/communications in the first place.
My 40th birthday was approaching and I couldn’t ignore the fact that I wasn’t happy about where my life was. The thought that I could spend the next 25 years sitting in the same office made me very sad. I just couldn’t do it. I found myself staring out the window, thinking back on my working life so far and wondering what would have happened had I been more adventurous – taken a journalism job in Canada’s Far North, taught English in Asia or some such thing. At first I thought that the time for those adventures had passed. But the idea that I needed to shake up my life just wouldn’t go away. But mostly, I felt like I’d lost my way.
So, last fall to the dismay of my boss, I quit my job to focus on writing a memoir and find my way into a freelance writing career. In the months since I made my decision, I’ve completed a second draft of my memoir and am now preparing a book proposal. I’ve pursued and completed freelance writing and graphic design opportunities. I’ve started blogging and discovered a whole community of people who’ve gotten off the traditional work treadmill.
What does my future look like? It isn’t crystal clear and I’m fine with that. I know I want to write a couple of memoirs and novels. I will be pursuing freelance journalism and travel writing opportunities. I will use my skills and experience to help health care organizations with their communications needs. I’m open to new opportunities and adventures. My second act doesn’t so much represent a life reset, but a return to my passion to write while drawing upon all the skills and life experiences I’ve acquired so far. I left my job and gained the time and freedom to be my fully creative self.
Good for you! I used to be in corporate marketing management as well. The background brings much skill to the table but, like you, I much prefer the writing to implementation and ROI analysis, etc. Best to you in your pursuit!
Brava! I exited Wall St. in 1996 and started writing full time in 2004. I haven’t made it to the memoir phase yet, but I feel closer.
Great post, Victoria! Inspiring and well-written. Best of luck in your new writing career. You won’t regret taking the leap.
The posts today have been so inspiring, and yours is no exception. I’m turning 40 in August, and I feel like I’m on the right path, but I’ve only recently started doing what I really love.
Thanks for sharing!
Hands down the most inspiring post I read all week. You are an amazing woman, Victoria! I only wish I had half your courage to follow my passion. This was so inspiring I shared a link to it on my Top Five post today.
Best of luck with your writing ~ can’t wait to read your memoir!
Enjoyed your post. Thanks for sharing
Your journey is inspiring. Thank you for sharing!
Good for you! In the past year I gave up my management position because it was isolating me from the part of my job I loved. I felt some of what you expressed so well. Now I can concentrate on what I like about my career, and was fortunate that my employer was supportive of my decision. I do not intend to quit my job – I am only a few years away from retirement – but I intend to keep blogging and perhaps investigate the wider world of writing.
[...] Joe’s post, Victoria Musgrave shares inspiration in “Finding My Way“. In her case it’s about the decision to take the leap away from the security of her [...]