Man, December 2022. That was a wild one for me, looking back. Before that, things were just… chugging along, you know? My work felt pretty steady, nothing dramatic, nothing bad, but nothing exciting either. I was in a routine, clocking in, clocking out, same old, same old. I wouldn’t say I was bored, but I definitely wasn’t sparking any creative genius either. Just doing my thing, paying the bills, pretty much on autopilot.
Then December rolled around, and something shifted. I dunno what it was, maybe the end-of-year vibe, or just a sudden kick in the pants. I started feeling this weird pull, like I needed to shake things up. It wasn’t a clear thought, more like a gut feeling, a nudge in my brain saying, “Hey, buddy, don’t just sit there.”
Spotting the Opportunities
I remember one evening, I was just messing around online, scrolling through some stuff, when an ad popped up. Usually, I’d just scroll right past those. But this one, for some reason, made me pause. It was for a role that was a bit left-field for me, something I hadn’t really considered before. My immediate thought was, “Nah, that’s not for me.” But that little voice, that feeling from earlier, it came back strong. It was like a little bell went off. “What if, though?”
It wasn’t just that ad, either. Over the next couple of weeks, similar things started popping up. A friend mentioned a potential side gig that needed someone with a specific skill I had, but it was with a completely different industry. Normally, I’d just nod and say, “Cool,” and move on. But this time, I actually asked for details. I started paying attention, really listening when people talked about their projects or ideas. It felt like the universe was just throwing little hints my way, and I was finally starting to catch them.
Taking the Leap
So, the first thing I did was dig out my old resume. Man, that thing was dusty! I hadn’t touched it in years. I spent a good few evenings just trying to remember what I’d even done in the last couple of jobs. I tweaked it, updated it, tried to make it sound like I actually knew what I was talking about for this new kind of role. It was a chore, no doubt, but that feeling, that “don’t miss this” energy, kept me going.
I decided to just go for it and apply for that first ad I saw. I hit send on that application, and honestly, my heart was pounding a bit. It felt like I was doing something reckless, something out of character. But also… exciting. Then, I pinged my friend back about that side gig. Told him I was interested, asked for more info. I wasn’t waiting around anymore.
Through the Nerves and the Unknown
To my surprise, I actually got a call back for the main role! I remember the exact day. I was so nervous. I hadn’t interviewed for anything serious in ages. The first chat was virtual, and I probably fumbled some words, but it went okay. They called me back for a second round, then a third, which was in person. My stomach was doing flips before each one. I practiced answers in front of the mirror, even though I felt ridiculous. I wanted this, and I wanted it bad.
Meanwhile, the side gig with my friend started taking shape. We met up a couple of times, just brainstorming. It was a completely new area for me, and I had to learn a bunch of new tools, new ways of thinking. I spent my evenings after my regular job just diving into tutorials, watching videos, trying to get my head around it all. It was tiring, but it felt good to use my brain in a different way.
The Payoff and the Lesson
Then, the call came for the main job. They offered it to me! I was absolutely ecstatic. It was a new company, a new team, and a completely new path for my career. It was a step into the unknown, a bit of a risk, but it felt so right. That December, that strange feeling I had, it paid off big time.
I took the new job, of course. The transition was a whirlwind. Learning new systems, new names, new everything. It was a steep climb, but I was so energized by it. And that side gig, that’s actually picked up steam too, becoming a cool little extra thing I do that keeps me sharp. Looking back at December 2022, it was such a pivotal month. If I had just ignored those little nudges, those random ads, those chats with friends, I’d probably still be in the same old routine. It really hit home for me then: sometimes, you just gotta open your eyes, trust your gut, and actually grab those chances when they show up, even if they seem a bit out of your comfort zone. You never know where they might lead.
