Rethinking My Career: From Design to Passion-Driven Pursuits
If you’ve ever found yourself questioning the direction of your career, you’re not alone. Many of us start our professional journeys with a clear idea of what we want to achieve, but over time, as we navigate different roles and industries, we can find ourselves at a crossroads. We begin to wonder if the path we’re on truly aligns with our passions and values.
For the past eight years, my career has been a winding journey through various roles within the design and marketing world. I started in marketing, transitioned into UX design, and eventually moved into website management. With each shift, I sought to build my skills, increase my earning potential, and move closer to what I thought was my ideal career. But along the way, I began to feel a sense of disconnection — a feeling that, despite my accomplishments, something was missing.
Then, a personal tragedy struck, shaking the foundation of my life and forcing me to re-evaluate everything, including my career. It was during this time of grief and reflection that I realised the path I was on wasn’t bringing me the fulfilment I craved. Instead, I found myself yearning to pursue the passions I had long set aside: travel writing and vegetarian food. These are the things that truly light me up, and I began to see how I could use the skills I’ve gained so far to develop a career that aligns with what I genuinely love.
My career in design has been marked by a series of deliberate moves, each aimed at building my expertise and expanding my horizons. I started in marketing, where I honed my understanding of how to communicate ideas and engage audiences. From there, I transitioned into UX design, a field that allowed me to explore my creative side while focusing on user-centred solutions. It was an exciting shift, and I quickly became passionate about creating experiences that resonated with people on a deeper level.
After gaining valuable experience in UX design, I moved into website management, where I took on a more strategic role. Here, I was responsible for overseeing the overall digital presence of organisations, ensuring that websites were not only functional but also aligned with the brand’s goals and user needs. It was a role that combined my marketing background with my design skills, and it offered me a broader perspective on how different elements of a business come together to create a cohesive online experience.
Each of these roles contributed to my growth as a professional. They allowed me to build a diverse skill set and gain a comprehensive understanding of the digital landscape. But despite this growth, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was moving further away from what truly made me happy. The work was fulfilling in its own right, but it didn’t align with my deeper passions. I found myself asking, “Is this really what I want to do for the rest of my life?”
Sometimes, it takes a significant life event to prompt us to stop and reassess our path. For me, that moment came in the form of a personal tragedy — a loss that left me questioning not just my career but my entire approach to life. In the midst of my grief, I realised that I had been so focused on achieving external success that I had neglected the things that truly brought me joy.
This tragedy served as a wake-up call. It forced me to confront the reality that life is too short to spend it doing work that doesn’t resonate with my core passions. I began to think about what really mattered to me, and two things stood out: my love for travel and my passion for vegetarian food. These are the interests that have always been a source of joy and inspiration, yet I had never seriously considered them as potential career paths.
In this moment of clarity, I saw an opportunity to bring these passions to the forefront of my life. I began to envision a career that wasn’t just about climbing the corporate ladder or earning a higher salary, but one that allowed me to express myself creatively and share my passions with the world. It was a radical shift in perspective, but one that felt deeply right.
One of the most empowering realisations I’ve had during this process is that the skills I’ve developed over the years aren’t wasted. In fact, they are the foundation upon which I can build my new path. My experience in marketing, UX design, and website management has given me a unique toolkit that I can now apply to my passions for travel writing and vegetarian food.
In the world of travel writing, the ability to craft engaging narratives, understand audience needs, and create visually appealing content is invaluable. My marketing background equips me with the skills to promote my work and reach a wider audience, while my experience in UX design ensures that I can create user-friendly websites and digital content that resonates with readers. Website management skills will help me maintain and grow an online presence, allowing me to connect with like-minded individuals and build a community around my passions.
Similarly, my passion for vegetarian food can be explored through the lens of content creation and community engagement. Whether it’s through blogging, recipe development, or social media, I can use my design skills to share my love for vegetarian cuisine in a way that’s both visually compelling and informative. This isn’t just about finding a new job — it’s about creating a career that integrates the things I love with the skills I’ve honed over the years.
One of the biggest challenges in making this transition has been overcoming the fear of change. The corporate world, with its clear progression paths and tangible rewards, offers a certain level of security. Stepping away from that to pursue something more passion-driven can feel risky and uncertain. But what I’ve come to understand is that the real risk lies in staying on a path that doesn’t bring me fulfilment.
The fear of taking a step back in my career has been a significant barrier. It’s easy to worry about how others might perceive this shift or whether I’m “wasting” the skills and experiences I’ve accumulated. But I’ve realised that this isn’t about stepping back — it’s about redirecting my path in a way that’s more aligned with who I am and what I want out of life.
As I’ve begun to explore this new direction, I’ve discovered the importance of finding community. There are countless people out there who share my passions for travel, vegetarian food, and creative expression. By connecting with these communities — whether online or in person — I’ve found support, inspiration, and a sense of belonging that’s been crucial in this transition.
These communities remind me that I’m not alone in wanting to pursue a career that’s driven by passion rather than just profit. They provide a space to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and learn from others who have made similar transitions. This sense of connection has been invaluable as I navigate the uncertainties of this new path.
As I move forward, my goal is to build a life and career that are centred around what I truly love. This isn’t about abandoning my previous experiences; it’s about integrating them into something new and meaningful. My design skills, marketing experience, and passion for storytelling will all play a role in this next chapter of my life.
I’m embracing the challenge of travel writing, not just as a hobby, but as a serious pursuit that allows me to explore the world and share my experiences with others. I’m diving deeper into my passion for vegetarian food, creating content that reflects my values and encourages others to explore plant-based eating.
This journey is still unfolding, and there are plenty of uncertainties ahead. But what I do know is that I’m finally on a path that feels right. I’m no longer chasing someone else’s definition of success — I’m creating my own.
If you’re at a similar crossroads in your career, take heart in knowing that you’re not alone. It’s okay to step away from a path that no longer serves you and to pursue something that truly ignites your passion. Your skills and experiences are not wasted; they are tools that you can use to build something new, something that aligns with your deepest values.
Change can be daunting, but it’s also an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. By embracing your passions, connecting with like-minded communities, and trusting in your abilities, you can create a career — and a life — that brings you genuine joy and fulfilment. The journey may not be easy, but it’s one worth taking.
