When Leaving Corporate Feels Like Coming Home
Recently watched an interview where Rafael Nadal was asked if he missed tennis after 23 years on tour. His answer: no. He'd brought his body past its limits, he said, and once he made the decision to stop, he was at peace with it… grateful for everything the game gave him, but not looking back.
It was refreshingly honest. That's exactly how I feel about my almost three decades in corporate. It's not that I don't think about it, I do. And it feels like a million years ago. When I see posts about accomplishments at my old firm, I feel genuinely happy for the people there. AND 1000% happy I'm no longer in it. It's not hate. I still love a lot of people there and want them to succeed. I just don't feel connected to it anymore. I don't even recognize that version of myself.
There Will Be Signs
Your signs for leaving corporate may be subtle. The real moment came when I noticed my lack of connection to the bigger picture was affecting the level of care I wanted to give the people I served. They deserved someone who wanted to be there. I take a lot of pride in my work, so that hurt to admit. And I realized something else was true too: even a different seat in corporate wouldn't fix it, because the standards I hold myself to require mental and emotional investment I no longer had. I had this deep inkling that there was more for me elsewhere. I grieved that… goodbyes are hard for me, but I knew.
So believe me when I say there's no resentment here. Leaving a system, despite its vastness, that could no longer hold who I'd grown into and stepping into what I actually wanted to explore, has felt like coming home.
Is there uncertainty? Yes. Do I always get it right? Definitely not. It's hard, and there are days I wonder WTF I'm doing. But it's the good pain; the kind you savor after you know you've done real work. I feel more myself. I sleep better. My body aches less. My anxiety shows up only when I try something new, not every single day. I enjoy work again.
Listen to the voice
I'll always be grateful for my years in corporate. I learned a lot and met people I still love.
And I'm grateful I finally listened to that teeny tiny persistent voice that said it was time to go.
If that voice is getting louder for you too and you're tired of pretending you don't hear it, that’s not a coincidence, that's the moment. I help people in corporate navigate their way out before they burn another year (or more) second guessing a decision they've already made in their gut. Book a call with me and let's find out what's waiting for you.
