Redefining Success: What I Learned After Leaving My Career

Change can be scary. Let’s just call it what it is. It’s uncertain, uncomfortable, and messy. But it can also be one of the most transformative experiences of your life. Trust me—I know.

After 20 years of pouring my heart into my career, I left behind a role I loved in a direct sales business I co-founded and helped build from the ground up. For years, it was my passion, my purpose, and a huge part of my identity. But over time, I felt a pull in a different direction—toward home, family, and personal growth.

Walking away from something so familiar and meaningful felt like stepping off a ledge. But here’s what I’ve learned: when you lean into big changes, they have a way of teaching you, growing you, and sometimes even surprising you in the best possible ways.

If you’re facing a career pivot or any kind of major life change, here are the lessons I’ve learned that might help you not just survive—but thrive.

1. Give Yourself Permission to Let Go

It’s okay to let go of something that no longer serves you—even if it once defined you. For me, it was hard to separate my sense of self from my career. Who was I without it? But letting go made space for new opportunities and a deeper connection to what mattered most: my family and my own well-being.

Remember: Letting go isn’t failure. It’s growth.

2. Embrace the Discomfort of Transition

Let’s be real—big changes aren’t smooth. They’re awkward, messy, and full of self-doubt. But discomfort is where growth happens. When I stepped away from my career, I felt a mix of excitement and fear. Instead of running from those feelings, I leaned into them.

Lesson Learned: Discomfort is a sign you’re stretching into something new. Sit with it.

3. Reflect on What Matters Most

When you make a big shift, it’s an opportunity to reassess your priorities. For me, it was about creating space to focus on my family and my mental health. What matters most to you? What do you want your life to look like moving forward?

Tip: Write down your top 3 priorities and use them as your guide when making decisions.

4. Surround Yourself with Support

Change isn’t something you navigate alone. I leaned heavily on my husband, my kids, and my closest friends during my pivot. They reminded me of my worth when I doubted myself and celebrated the small victories along the way.

Action Step: Build your “team.” Whether it’s family, friends, or a mentor, surround yourself with people who lift you up.

5. Rediscover Your Passions

When I stepped away from my career, I found myself asking, What now? It felt daunting at first, but also exciting. I started to reconnect with the things that lit me up—helping other moms find balance, building a warm and welcoming home, and being present with my family.

Challenge: Ask yourself, What brings me joy? Then start exploring ways to weave those passions into your next chapter.

6. Be Open to Redefining Success

Success doesn’t always look like a title, a paycheck, or a packed calendar. For me, success now looks like quiet mornings with my kids, meaningful conversations with my husband, and the peace of knowing I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

Takeaway: Success is deeply personal. Define it on your terms.

7. Trust the Timing of Your Journey

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that everything happens in its own time. Leaving my career felt like an ending, but it was also the start of something beautiful. Trust that the changes you’re making are leading you exactly where you’re meant to go—even if you can’t see the whole path yet.

Reminder: You don’t need all the answers today. Take it one step at a time.

Your Pivot, Your Power

A career pivot—or any big life change—can feel overwhelming. But it’s also an incredible opportunity to grow, evolve, and realign with what truly matters. It’s not about having it all figured out; it’s about giving yourself grace and staying open to the possibilities ahead.

If you’re standing at the edge of a big change, know this: You are capable of more than you realize. You have the courage to embrace the unknown, the strength to navigate the messy middle, and the wisdom to thrive in whatever comes next.

This is your journey. Make it count.

With love and a whole lot of grace,

Julie

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