I have been a teacher for the past 12 years. I have done well in the field. I won teacher of the year a few years ago. I enjoy teaching, but I have hit a wall.

The goal of many teachers is to get a job in a school district. You get in, work 30 years, and then collect your pension. It's a sweet gig. I have not gone the route. I have worked in 6 schools. I have worked mostly in alternative education. Some schools have closed. Some didn't offer good benefits. Sometimes I have worked at multiple schools at the same time. I have not followed the traditional path.

During the pandemic, I really started thinking about the future. What do I want to do with the rest of my life. Luckily, I had time to try things in-between classes. I got back into creative activities. I want a career that allows me to explore my creative side.

This was a tough decision. It feels like I am giving up on all of the work I have put in for over a decade. It is scary. It is not a safe decision that I am making. I am not exactly old, but I am also not too young either. If I have any hope at being successful, this is the time to do it.

Now the specific career I will choose is still up in the air. I have a really good idea and it is picking up steam. The question is How do I transition? Do I drop everything and only focus on this new career? Do I keep my old job and work on the new stuff on my own time? Well, that is what I chose. I am not ready to drop my income right away. I want to be able to know I have a consistent income. It could be less, but I need it consistent.

I am not sure what the journey is going to look like, but I know what I want my destination to be.

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