So… you’re thinking of making a move. Not just “up”, but maybe “out.” Or “over.” Or “somewhere completely new.”

Welcome. You’re in the in-between, where something no longer fits, but the next thing isn’t fully clear yet. Maybe you’re bored.

Maybe you’ve outgrown your role. Maybe the thought of doing this for five more years makes you want to scream into a pillow.

Or maybe, quietly, you’ve been dreaming of something else. Something that feels more like you.

The Messy Middle Is Normal

Here’s what no one tells you: Career transitions rarely come with clear timelines or clean steps. They come with:

A rollercoaster of “what ifs”
Dozens of open tabs labeled “jobs near me” and “how to switch careers at 30/35/40”
Half-written cover letters to roles you’re not even sure you want
A voice inside whispering, “There has to be more than this”

If that’s where you are, you’re not lost. You’re exploring. And that’s a powerful place to be.

Why It Feels So Weird (Even When It’s Right)

Because we were taught to pick a path and stick to it. To climb, not pivot. To specialize, not switch.

So when you start questioning what’s next, it can feel like a personal crisis. Spoiler: it’s not. It’s actually growth.

Here’s why this space can feel so heavy:

You’re grieving an old identity even as you build a new one
You don’t want to start over, but you don’t want to stay stuck, either
You feel pressure to figure it all out now
You’re trying to balance dreams with bills, confidence with doubt You’re allowed to change. You’re allowed to explore.

You’re allowed to outgrow things that once made perfect sense.

A Real Talk Reflection: What Traditional Success Got Wrong

Let’s talk about something we don’t say out loud enough.

For a long time, success was all about climbing vertically. Stick to your lane, stay loyal, don’t switch too much. You’d see job posts saying things like, “Senior Manager with 15+ years in the same industry”, as if that was the ultimate proof of value.

Meanwhile, people who moved around, explored different roles or industries? They were often seen as lost. Recruiters would raise eyebrows at a “messy” CV. That pressure to “look stable” kept a lot of folks stuck in jobs they outgrew a long time ago.

Now, don’t get me wrong, some people did thrive in that model. They kept evolving. Stayed sharp. Became real experts. But I’ve also seen the flip side, many times.

People who stayed in one industry for 20–25 years, climbed to senior roles… then got hit with redundancy. And suddenly, they couldn’t bounce back. Not because they weren’t capable, but because all they knew was that world.

Worse still? Some people just don’t grow. They’ve got the title. The salary. But when you work with them, you realize how far behind they are. Intellectually. Creatively. Even emotionally.

And because they know it deep down, they resist change. They reject “the new blood.” They challenge ideas not from insight, but from fear.

That’s the cost of staying still for too long.

My Journey: The Power of Moving, Changing, and Evolving

For me? It was always different.

I moved across industries, hotels, automotive, food delivery, advertising, consultancy.
I moved across countries, Sudan, Dubai, the GCC, Ireland.
I moved across functions, HR, business intelligence, customer experience, marketing, sales, strategy.

And in every shift, I didn’t lose momentum, I gained perspective.

Here’s what I learned:

Your superpower isn’t just your hard skills. It’s your adaptability, curiosity, and the story you tell about your journey.

As long as you’re willing to do the work, to learn the industry, study the market, listen to podcasts, read trade publications, ask the questions, you’re not behind. You’re ahead. Because you come in with a fresh lens. You can spot gaps others can’t see.

Every time I coach someone worried their CV looks “too all over the place,” I say the same thing: “It’s not about the path, it’s about the story.”

If you can own your narrative, it becomes your edge, not your weakness.

So if your journey has been non-linear, don’t downplay it. Frame it. Celebrate it. Share it.

You’re Not Starting Over, You’re Starting from Experience

Shifting doesn’t mean throwing away everything you’ve done.

It means:

Repackaging your experience in new ways
Following the breadcrumbs of curiosity
Trying on ideas without committing to them all
Trusting that clarity often comes after action, not before

What Career Exploration Actually Looks Like

You don’t need another “perfect” CV right now. You need direction.

Real exploration looks like:

Saying “I don’t know yet” and letting that be okay
Talking to people doing things that interest you, even if you’re not sure why
Playing with new skills, platforms, or ideas just to see how they feel
Asking better questions like: “What energizes me?”, “What problems do I like solving?”, “What environments help me thrive?”

This is about alignment first. Strategy second.

10 Things You Can Do Right Now

1. Start a “Hell Yes / Hard No” list: What parts of past jobs or projects did you love? Which ones drained you? This gives you a practical filter for what to look for (or avoid) next.

2. Reach out for a coffee chat or two: Not interviews. Just conversations. Pick 2 people doing things you’re curious about. Listen, learn, ask weird questions.

3. Update your LinkedIn headline, not your whole profile: Try something like “Exploring opportunities in [field/interest]. Open to conversations.”

4. Do one tiny experiment: Sign up for a course. Volunteer for a project. Create a piece of content.

5. Set a 3-month exploration goal: “I’ll explore 3 industries,” or “I’ll talk to 10 people.”

6. Keep a “spark log.”: A note on your phone of anything that lights you up.

7. Shift your language from ‘career change’ to ‘career design.’: You’re designing your next chapter with intention.

8. Breathe. Like, really: This isn’t a race. You don’t have to be ready, you just have to be willing.

9. Get support: Through a coach, mentor, or aligned community.

10. Give yourself permission to want more: You’re allowed to want a life that feels like you.

You Don’t Have to Know It All. You Just Have to Start.

Exploring doesn’t make you flaky. Shifting doesn’t mean you failed. Trying something new doesn’t undo everything you’ve done.

In fact, it’s often the bravest thing you can do.

You’re not starting from scratch. You’re starting from experience.

“You don’t have to know it all. You just have to start.” — Every brave career shifter ever

Changing direction doesn’t mean you’re lost. It means you’re listening. To your instincts. Your energy. Your quiet craving for something that feels like you.

Career shifts aren’t about abandoning what you’ve done. They’re about choosing what comes next, with more clarity, creativity, and courage.

You don’t need a five-year plan. You need one next step. One real conversation. One bold experiment.

Because you’re not starting over. You’re starting from experience.

🤔 Been sitting with a “what if” or “what else” lately? What’s one small action you could take this week just to explore, not decide?

📌 Know someone who’s secretly Googling “how to switch careers at 35”? Share this with them. No one should feel stuck in a job that no longer fits.

♻️ If this gave you a little clarity (or a little courage), pass it on. Someone out there needs the reminder that exploring isn’t failure, it’s freedom.

If this hit home and you think its' time for new chapter, let’s talk and if you enjoyed this piece, you’ll love our weekly Wednesday drop, real, bold, unfiltered, practical and actionable conversations you didn't know you need it, straight to your inbox. Sign Up Today

Realistic Guide To Making A Career Move