Thinking about a career change can feel like standing at the edge of a diving board—part excitement, part fear, and part “what on earth am I doing up here?” If you’re contemplating a change in your work life, whether quietly or loudly, tentatively or with full force, you are far from alone.

In fact, more people than ever find themselves pausing, questioning, and reconsidering what they want from their careers. Sometimes this process is gradual and subtle. Other times it hits like a wave you didn’t see coming. Either way, the pull towards something different is worth paying attention to.

This blog is designed for you if you're beginning to explore the idea of a career change—or if you've been thinking about it for a while and feeling unsure, conflicted, overwhelmed, or even guilty about it. We’ll look at what may prompt someone to think about a career shift, the range of emotions that can come with it, and what you might be reflecting on before taking any concrete steps.

 

Why Do People Start Thinking About a Career Change?

A career change rarely begins with one single moment. It’s usually an accumulation of experiences, feelings, and realisations that gradually nudge someone to question whether their current path still fits who they are—or who they’re becoming.

Here are some of the common prompts:

1. Feeling Stuck or Unfulfilled

You might be doing everything “right” on paper—showing up, doing your job well, ticking the boxes—but something doesn’t feel aligned anymore. That sense of “Is this it?” can be persistent, even when you try to push it down. You may feel like you’ve stopped growing or like you’re no longer engaged in what you do.

2. Burnout and Exhaustion

Long-term stress, emotional fatigue, or a sense of being constantly overwhelmed can make someone question whether their career is sustainable. Burnout often comes with guilt: “Other people cope… why can’t I?” But burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s a sign your current environment or demands might not be healthy for you anymore.

3. A Shift in Personal Values

What you wanted at 20 may be totally different from what you want at 35, 45, or 55. Life changes us—parenthood, relationships, health, grief, new hobbies, or simply growing older can all shift what feels important. Work that once mattered may now feel misaligned.

4. A Desire for Purpose, Passion, or Meaning

Not everyone needs their career to be their passion—but many people reach a point where they want their work to feel more meaningful or more connected to who they are.

5. Changes in Life Circumstances

Maybe your financial situation has shifted. Maybe you need something more flexible. Maybe you need something closer to home, less demanding, or more stable. Practical needs often open the door to exploring broader possibilities.

6. Work Environment Issues

A toxic workplace, poor management, lack of progression opportunities, or feeling undervalued can all push someone to question whether they need something different.

7. A Quiet Realisation That “Something Isn’t Right”

Sometimes you can’t quite pinpoint it. You just know you feel off balance, out of place, or disconnected from your work. This is more common than you might think.

8. Curiosity About Something Else

A little spark—an interest in a different field, a dream you shelved years ago, or a conversation that made you think, “What if?” Sometimes that’s all it takes for career change thoughts to begin.

 

How Might Someone Feel When They Start Thinking About a Career Change?

The emotional landscape of career change is rich, complicated, and completely normal. You’re not just contemplating a job—you’re contemplating your identity, your stability, your routine, your financial security, and your future.

The feelings that arise can be mixed and even conflicting:

1. Excited

Thinking about something new can light up parts of you that have felt dormant or numb. You might imagine new opportunities, rediscover old passions, or feel energised at the thought of change.

2. Anxious or Fearful

It’s completely normal to feel anxious—after all, a career represents safety and predictability. Questions like “What if I fail?” or “What if I make the wrong choice?” often show up early on.

3. Guilty

You might worry about letting people down—employers, colleagues, family. You might feel loyal to your workplace, even if you’re unhappy. You might feel guilty for wanting something different when others seem content staying where they are.

4. Confused

Career change is not linear. You may feel torn between staying and leaving, between familiarity and uncertainty. Confusion isn’t a sign you’re making a bad decision—it’s part of the process.

5. Hopeful

Even if it’s only faint at times, a career change often carries a sense of possibility—a feeling that things could be different.

6. Overwhelmed

The practicalities—retraining, finances, time, logistics—can feel daunting. You may not know where to start or which direction to go.

7. Relieved

Sometimes just admitting to yourself that something isn’t working can bring a sense of relief. It means you’re being honest about your needs.

All of these feelings—and many more—are typical. Not only is it normal to feel this way, but it would be unusual not to.

 

What Might Be Going On Internally Before Taking Steps Toward a Career Change?

People often spend weeks, months, or even years in the thinking phase before making any moves. If you’re in that place right now, you’re not behind—you are giving yourself time to understand what this could mean for you.

Here are some of the internal processes that often happen before any action is taken:

1. Questioning Identity

Work is tied to identity for many people. Who you are, how others see you, what you tell people at parties, how you introduce yourself—all of it can feel intertwined with your job. Change can feel like letting go of a part of yourself, even if it’s a part you’ve outgrown.

2. Considering Practical Factors

You may be thinking about:

• Money and financial responsibilities
• Retraining or going back to study
• Time pressures
• Family commitments
• Losing seniority or stability
• How long a transition might take

These considerations don’t mean you shouldn’t explore a change—they’re simply part of being thoughtful and realistic.

3. Doubting Yourself

It’s extremely common to ask:

• “Am I capable of doing something new?”
• “Am I too old to change career?”
• “Did I waste the last X years?”
• “Will I regret this?”

These questions aren’t signs of weakness—they’re signs you care about making a considered decision.

4. Comparing Yourself to Others

We often look around and wonder how others seem so certain, so settled, so successful. But remember: you only see the surface of other people’s lives. Many are questioning themselves too.

5. Revisiting Past Dreams

You might find old ideas resurfacing—things you once wanted to try but didn’t, opportunities you didn’t pursue, or interests you sidelined. It’s not unusual for these early dreams to reappear when you’re searching for direction.

6. Reflecting on Personal Values

Values like work-life balance, creativity, stability, autonomy, or purpose often become clearer during times of reflection. You may realise your current job doesn’t align with what you now prioritise.

7. Seeking Permission

You may be waiting for someone—partner, friend, colleague—to validate your feelings or reassure you that you’re not being foolish. Wanting reassurance is human. But ultimately, the only true permission needed is from yourself.

 

How Someone May Feel About Making a Career Change

It’s important to explore not only the feelings that fuel the desire for change, but also how you might feel about the possibility of actually doing something about it. Those feelings may include:

Fear of the Unknown

Humans naturally prefer predictability—even when something “better” is possible, uncertainty can feel threatening. You might worry about taking the wrong path or making a mistake you can’t undo.

Mixed Loyalty

Leaving a job, organisation, or team can feel like betraying people, even when it’s the right choice for you. You may also feel loyal to your younger self, who chose this career in the first place.

Grief

Yes—grief. Career change can bring grief for:

• Time invested
• Identity built
• Relationships formed
• Stability lost

It’s normal to grieve something, even if you know it’s no longer right for you.

Liberation

Many people describe career change as freeing—a chance to reinvent themselves, take control, or step into something more aligned.

Empowerment

Exploring new options can remind you that your life is your own. Even thinking about change can feel empowering.

Ambivalence

It’s completely normal to feel both wanting and resisting change at the same time. Humans rarely feel one emotion in isolation—especially when it comes to big decisions.

 

Normalising Your Feelings: You Are Not “Too Much” or “Too Late”

If you are considering a career change, I want you to hear this clearly:

There is nothing wrong with you.
You are not behind.
You are not irresponsible.
You are not being dramatic.
You are not the only one who feels this way.

Career change is a deeply personal reflection of growth. It doesn’t mean your current career was a mistake—it simply means it may no longer fit who you are.

Just like relationships, homes, interests, and priorities evolve, so do careers. And just because something worked for you once doesn’t mean it has to work forever.

 

Before Taking Action: What Might You Be Thinking About?

Before making any moves, many people spend time reflecting on questions like:

“What do I actually want?”

This is often the hardest question. You might know what you don’t want, but not what you do. And that’s absolutely fine. Clarity takes time.

“Is this the right time?”

There may never be a “perfect” time—but there can be a good enough time.

“What am I afraid of?”

Understanding your fears can help you decide what kind of support you may need.

“What are my strengths and skills?”

Many people underestimate what they have to offer and overlook the transferability of their skills.

“What would make me feel happier or more fulfilled?”

This question isn’t indulgent—it’s important.

“What might I lose?”

Security? Identity? Stability? Familiarity? These are fair concerns.

“What might I gain?”

Purpose? Balance? Better well-being? Creativity? Growth? These matter too.

 

You Don’t Have to Decide Everything Now

Thinking about a career change is a process—not a moment.

You don’t have to:

• rush,
• make a dramatic decision,
• have a plan,
• or even know what you want yet.

Sometimes the first step is simply acknowledging your feelings. Sometimes it’s reflecting. Sometimes it’s talking things through with someone supportive. And sometimes, the most important step is giving yourself permission to explore.

 

How Counselling Can Help During a Career Change

Career change isn’t only a practical decision—it’s an emotional one. Counselling can offer a supportive space to:

• explore your feelings without pressure,
• understand what’s driving your desire for change,
• look at what fears are showing up,
• unpack guilt, confusion, or doubt,
• explore your values, needs, and identity,
• help you find clarity and confidence in how to move forward.

You don’t have to have all the answers to start talking about it.

Counselling isn’t about telling you what to do—it’s about helping you understand yourself, so you can make decisions that feel right for you.

 

Final Thoughts: You Are Allowed to Want Something Different

If you're thinking about a career change, whether lightly or intensely, it means something inside you is asking to be heard. It doesn’t matter if you act on it tomorrow, in six months, or never—the fact that you’re thinking about it is meaningful.

And your feelings—whatever they are—are valid.

Whether you’re restless, hopeful, scared, confused, excited, overwhelmed, or all of the above, you are simply being human. And you deserve space to explore what you need.

If you’d like help reflecting on your career, identity, or next steps, counselling offers a space where your thoughts and feelings can be held without judgement.

Whenever you're ready, you don’t have to explore this alone.

 

Laura @ Talk With Laura 💖