Man, 2018. That year felt like a total roller coaster for me, you know? I remember seeing that “Virgo Career Outlook 2018: Big Changes Ahead?” thing pop up online, and I just kinda chuckled at it. I was a Virgo, sure, but I never really put much stock in horoscopes. Still, that title kinda stuck in my head, because honestly, I was feeling super stuck in my job at the time.
I was working this gig, and it wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t great either. It felt like I was just going through the motions every day. I’d wake up, drag myself to the office, stare at the same spreadsheets, attend the same meetings, and then just go home feeling pretty blah. I’d been doing it for a good few years, and the thought of doing it for another few was just… depressing. I looked around, and a lot of my pals were either loving what they did or at least felt like they were moving forward. Me? Not so much.
So, the idea of “big changes” started to nag at me, even without the horoscope. I began by just sitting around, thinking, really reflecting on what I actually enjoyed doing. It wasn’t about the money for a bit, it was about what made me feel alive. I always loved tinkering with things, pulling stuff apart, trying to fix them, or build something new. That wasn’t really part of my 9-to-5 desk job, obviously.
First step, I figured I needed to explore. I didn’t want to just jump ship without a plan. I started dipping my toes into a few online courses after work. Nothing intense, just some free stuff on basic coding and web design. I’d come home, make dinner, and then for an hour or two, I’d just mess around with these tutorials. It was slow going, a lot of head-scratching moments, but it felt good to be learning something new, something that actually sparked a bit of excitement.
The Grind of Discovery
Then I got a bit bolder. I found a local workshop that offered evening classes on woodworking and metalwork. Now, this was completely off the charts from my office job, but it was hands-on, and I always admired folks who could build stuff with their own hands. I shelled out some cash for a basic course. Tuesdays and Thursdays, I’d rush from work, grab a quick bite, and head straight there. My hands were often sore, covered in sawdust or grease, but man, I felt a sense of accomplishment I hadn’t felt in ages. It was tiring, for sure, juggling the old job and this new learning, but the energy it gave me was immense.
During this time, I also started talking to more people. Friends, friends of friends, even some strangers I met at those workshops. I’d just ask them about their jobs, how they got into what they were doing, what they loved, what they hated. I picked up some great advice, and more importantly, I started to see pathways I hadn’t even considered. It wasn’t just about finding a job; it was about finding a different kind of work, a different way to live.
One evening, after a particularly frustrating day at the office, I just had enough. I went home, and instead of just crashing, I pulled out my laptop and updated my resume. But this time, I wasn’t just listing my old job duties; I was trying to highlight the problem-solving, the analytical skills, the bits and pieces of my personality that resonated with this new direction. I also started looking for jobs that were completely different from my current one. Entry-level technician roles, assistant positions in fabrication shops, even roles in event setup, anything that was hands-on and less about staring at a screen all day.
It was a bit scary, applying for things I felt underqualified for, or things that paid less than what I was making. My savings weren’t huge, but I figured I had enough to float me for a bit if I made a leap. My partner was incredibly supportive throughout all of this, which helped a ton. We talked through the risks, the potential pay cuts, the uncertainty. It wasn’t an easy decision, but the thought of staying put was just too much to bear.
The Leap and the Landing
After a few rejections and some pretty awkward interviews where I felt like I was fumbling to explain why a spreadsheet jockey wanted to operate a drill press, I finally got an offer. It was for a small company that made custom furniture. The pay was a good chunk less than what I was making, but it was an entry-level position as a workshop assistant. It meant learning everything from scratch, literally from the ground up. I remember staring at that offer letter, heart pounding, thinking, “This is it. This is the big change.”
I took it. I put in my notice at the old job, and the relief I felt was immediate and overwhelming. Leaving my old colleagues was a bit bittersweet, but no one was really surprised, I think they could tell I was itching for something else. Starting that new job was intense. My hands were calloused, I learned the names of tools I’d never heard of, and I made a ton of mistakes. But every day, I felt like I was actually building something, physically creating something with my own hands. I got to see the raw materials transform into a finished piece, and that was incredibly satisfying.
By the end of 2018, looking back, that “Virgo Career Outlook” prediction had actually panned out for me, in a way I never expected. I wasn’t just making a small adjustment; I completely shifted gears. It wasn’t easy, and it took a lot of late nights and tough decisions, but stepping away from what I knew and diving into the unknown was probably the best thing I ever did for myself. It really taught me that sometimes, you just gotta trust that gut feeling and chase what truly makes you happy, even if it looks completely different from what you thought your path would be.
