Beginning with my military career at 19 years old, I worked my way up the career ladder in information technology and cybersecurity. It’s a career that demands precision, vigilance, and a steadfast commitment to maintaining the security and functionality of digital systems. It is a stable career that provides financial security and growth in the field. I felt like my career and my authentic self, however, were becoming more and more separate as time passed. The competitive nature of the business world, the constant stress, and the fast pace started to wear me down. I came to understand that other people’s desires, not my own, were in control of my life.

I then made a choice that would change everything: I chose to bet on myself.

Giving up a safe job in information technology and cybersecurity wasn’t an easy choice for me to make. Many individuals work tirelessly to secure these positions, primarily for financial reasons. It took a lot of reflection, soul-searching, and, in the end, bravery. I knew I had to do it, though. I had to turn away from the road that was already planned for me and start making my own. It had to align with my creative interests, values, and, most importantly, my definition of success.

Redefining Success: Freedom Over Finances

People often judge your success by how much money you make, how big your house is, or how important your job title is. But those things have never been important to me when it comes to success. To me, real success means having the freedom to use my time and energy however I choose, to do the things that make my soul sing, and to live in line with my values and beliefs.

This new way of looking at things is liberating. I no longer feel the need to look for success markers in the outside world. I instead focus on what is most important to me: being creative, being authentic, building meaningful connections with people, and finding spiritual satisfaction in my life. For me, success isn’t a place I get to; it’s a lifelong journey that gives me the freedom to make my own decisions and live my life the way I choose.

The Spiritual Journey: Aligning with My Higher Self

Leaving my almost 30 year career wasn’t just a change in my work; it was a change in my spiritual life as well. I think we all have a higher self—a part of us that is deeply connected to The Divine, knows our real purpose, and helps us live our most authentic life. My higher self had been whispering to me for a long time, but I had been ignoring it because of societal standards and work obligations.

But as I dug deeper into my artistic interests, those whispers got louder. I began to get in touch with my true self, trust my gut, and believe that I was being led to something better. One of the most important parts of my shift has been this spiritual journey. It taught me to release control and have faith that everything will unfold as it is meant to. It also taught me to be open to the unknown.

I began incorporating spiritual practices into my daily routine, such as journaling, meditating, and engaging in introspective activities. Especially during the hard parts of my shift, these habits helped me stay grounded and in touch with my inner self. I’m reminded consistently that I’m not going through this journey by myself, that I have a greater power behind me, and that everything is going exactly as it should.

Embracing Creativity: Unleashing My Inner Artist

One of the best things about letting go of my career was having the chance to fully pursue my artistic interests. I’ve always been interested in the arts. Writing, drawing, and painting have all helped me express myself. But I put these passions on the back burner for years because I and those around me thought of them as hobbies.

When I chose to bet on myself, I knew it was time to focus on my artistic interests. I started making time every day for my creative projects and let myself try new things, play, and discover without worrying about being perfect or what people would think or say about my transition. This freedom to be creative was thrilling. It was like a long sleeping part of me was finally waking up.

I’ve learned that being creative is more than just making things. It’s also about planning our lives. Living a life that is truly your own entails beginning each day with a sense of wonder and curiosity, viewing challenges as opportunities for personal development. This discovery has given me a lot of power. It helped me take charge of my life, see myself as the co-creator of my own existence, and make a life that is full, interesting, and true to who I am.

The Challenges of the Journey: Facing Fear and Doubt

There have been some hard times on this path, of course. It’s scary to leave a stable job to go down a road of uncertainty. I’ve had times of worry, fear, and not being sure of myself. I have asked myself if I made the right choice, if I’m good enough, and if I will be successful.

I tell myself that fear is a normal part of the journey when I feel that way. It means I’m getting out of my comfort zone, growing, and going in the right direction. I’ve learned to see fear as a friend on this path instead of a foe. Another thing I’ve learned is how important it is to be kind to myself, recognize and work through my feelings, and allow myself to make mistakes and learn from them.

I also tell myself that failure is a part of success; the key is to keep going even when things don’t go well. It’s about being brave enough to keep going even when things look bad. The most important thing is to believe that everything happens for a reason, that every obstacle is a chance to grow, and that a plan is working for me that is much bigger than anything I can imagine.

Designing My Own Path: The Freedom to Choose

The freedom to choose my own path has been one of the best parts of this journey. When I was enlisted in the military and later as a contractor, my job controlled my time and energy. Now, though, I can decide how to spend my days, how to use my energy, and how to reach my goals.

I’ve been able to live a life that fits with my ideals thanks to this freedom. I put my physical and mental health first, I do the things that bring me joy, and I work on projects that are important to me. I’ve also learned how important it is to find a pace that works for me and lets me be productive while also taking care of myself.

I’ve been able to change how I feel about work because of this freedom. My creativity is my work now. I no longer see work as a means to an end. Instead, I see it as an important part of my life—one that makes me happy, inspires me, and fits with my interests. People who do work that is in line with their values say it doesn’t feel like work; it feels like an extension of who they are.

The Role of Community: Looking for Connection on a Lonely Journey

Leaving my career to explore my creativity has been hard in not so surprising ways. One of the hardest things has been feeling alone. Even though the cyber world was hard, at least it had a structured setting and a built-in network of coworkers. But stepping away from that to follow my creative interests has often felt like going alone into uncharted territory.

It can be very lonely on this path of self-discovery and personal growth, even though it is very rewarding. Because I don’t have the daily interactions and shared experiences of a traditional workplace, I’m longing to connect with people who understand this road. I want to connect with people who share my interests and are also navigating the unknowns of following their passions and redefining success on their own terms.

I haven’t found my people yet, but I’m hopeful. I do have the support of family and friends that I am thankful for, but to be in the company of others on my similar path would be a plus. I firmly believe that events are orchestrated for individuals to meet at the perfect time and place. I’m constantly looking for places where I can meet people who share my goals and values. As I continue down this path, I’m sure I’ll find the support and friendship I’m looking for—a group of people who lift me up, inspire me, and tell me to keep going, even when things get hard.

I’m learning to enjoy being alone until then, because I know that this time of reflection and independence is an important part of my journey. It’s making me stronger and more confident in myself, and it’s getting me ready to connect with others more deeply when the time is right. I’m still sure that the right people will come into my life when I need them the most.

Conclusion

Making the choice to bet on myself instead of my professional career was one of the most important decisions I’ve ever made. It has been a journey of getting to know myself better, being creative, and growing spiritually. It taught me that success isn’t about how much money you have or what you own. Success is about being able to plan your life, use your time and energy however you want, and live in line with who you truly are.

It has not been easy on this journey, but it has been very worthwhile. I’ve faced my fears, accepted the unknown, and changed what success means to me. I’ve learned to listen to my gut and make my life full, interesting, and true to who I am.

As I continue down this road, I am very thankful for the lessons I have learned, the people who have helped me, and the freedom to live my life according to my values. I am looking forward to what the future holds because I know I am in charge of my own life and can make it full of meaning, purpose, and joy.

I have found something much greater than financial security or work success by putting my faith in myself. It’s now possible for me to be myself, follow my interests, and live a life that is true to my heart. And that, to me, is what success really means.