In February last year, I decided to take the leap and leave my steady, permanent job to try something new. Many people said I was brave. Looking back, I think they meant foolhardy.
You could say I have been lucky in my career, as I have experienced the joy of working with something I had a passion for. To boot, I had that joy for nine years! I am humbled and grateful that I have had such an adventure. Many people will never experience such excitement for their jobs in a lifetime. However, my commitment to the cause crippled my CV. In retrospect, if I had been more career oriented instead of passionate, I would have strived to change jobs every two years as many millennials have smartly done. However, for me, passion won hands down over building my career.
As you can imagine, the field I dedicated nine years to changed a lot over time and in the end I was sad but relieved when the decision to discontinue the particular branch was made. While working on a service that was just a ghost of what had been, I was job hunting for months on end. Then, amazingly, I was selected for a new job from 135 candidates! The new job was with an NGO. Working for an NGO was something I hadn’t done before and had wanted to experience, so I was absolutely thrilled.
Unfortunately, after working in an international environment with challenging cases to solve, my new job seemed predictable and downright boring. Saying that, I want to give a shout out to all the lovely colleagues I had the chance to work with, they really made it all worthwhile. ❤ To perk up the job situation, I decided to study on the side. Not settling for one but two degrees (!!), the studying left me exhausted. For some unknown reason, I was highly ambitious about my academic success and with work and an active social life, it was almost too much. I survived and came out with new degrees but my day job remained the same.
When I realized that the degrees did not solve my frustrations, I once again embarked on the search for something new. When quite unexpectedly I got an opportunity to coordinate an early childhood project, I jumped at the chance. Here again was something new to me that I had wanted to try out. I did have to think about the downside of leaving a permanent job for something that would end in under 1,5 years but the excitement of trying something new won me over.
However, the project turned out to be extremely slow to progress. This caused new frustrations as I’m a very fast-paced person who hates not having enough to do. Thankfully I had a bunch of great colleagues who made the days bearable. ❤ Nevertheless, six months into the job I found myself looking for something new. I applied for all kinds of positions but none of them sparked any excitement. I did manage to get interviews but always ended up being a runner up. The panic to score a new job was overwhelming and it seemed like I didn’t really even care what the job entailed, the applications were flying here and there.
Then came COVID-19. Recruiting processes dwindled. Suddenly working from home was the thing. I gained two extra hours every day, due to my now five minute commute from my bed to the kitchen table. My CV started to look even worse in the light of all the hundreds of people looking for work. I found yoga, calmed my mind and had more time to think about things. I came to the realization that I’ve now had two back-to-back jobs that I haven’t been happy with and nothing out there has really intrigued me. I started to understand that since the project was coming to an end and nothing new was in sight, I would most likely be unemployed in the beginning of Fall.
This train of thought took me to my first degree and job – early childhood education. The last time I taught children was over 16 years ago! I left the job to start maternity leave and at the time I had no interest in returning, as my own children were still small and I needed something completely different from work. However, all this was quite some time ago (understatement!!). My kids are grown and I’m (a lot) older. Would a job where you never know what the day will bring (I have so craved challenges these past years), where there is more than enough to do and the commute is short be so bad?
As you can guess by now, I started applying for early childhood teaching jobs. In Finland, there is a huge shortage of qualified staff, so I was able to choose quite freely where I wanted to work and which early childhood center sounded the best for me. Even though I’m taking a step back salary-wise (which is unfortunate) and probably also in the light of my already mediocre CV, I have no doubt that this job will challenge me everyday. Most likely much more so than my previous jobs added up. It’s not going to be easy. There’s a shortage of staff and the demands on teachers with the new curriculum are astounding compared to the salary and resources. I have a lot to learn. However, I’m looking forward to making it work with my colleagues and the kids I teach starting August.
I have always said I’d never go back, so this is a huge surprise for everyone. But I am known to make fast moves and change my mind at the blink of an eye. I realize that I may come out of this with the knowledge that this job isn’t for me any longer – it can go either way but what will I lose if I try? Of course, I have the choice of being unemployed and going on with the constant job hunt. However, I am tired and need a break. So, I’ve decided. If all goes as planned, it will be time to find the joy of childhood once again and fill my heart with it.
If you have made it this far, I thank you for reading and hope you have the time to reflect on the poem below. It was presented to me on the last day of my 30 Day Yoga Journey HOME (Yoga with Adriene – highly recommended) and miraculously it fits the bill. ❤
FOR A NEW BEGINNING, (HOME)
In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.
It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.
Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.
Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
– John O’Donohue
Adventure, here I come! (Hmm.. I think I remember saying that many times before, LOL)
What thoughts does this post awaken in you? Tell me about your career journey! Have you systematically worked towards the perfect CV? Have you tried different things or stayed put? I’d love to hear your experiences!
All these photos are from the grounds of the amazing Museum of Modern Art Louisiana in Copenhagen, Denmark. I was lucky to see it when I was visiting my dear friend in the city in May 2019. Oh how I miss travel.
xx
The Life and Travels of Mrs Suvi 
Oh, I used to love Yoga with Adriene before I got pregnant!! ❤ Congrats on the new job. I always believe passion before money, because we only live once and we spend so much time at work, it better be something we enjoy. As for my CV, hahah, I've had 17 jobs and it's a struggle to fit it all on one page. If I leave things out, it creates suspicious gaps. I've tried bundling them, categorizing, abbreviating… it's no good: my CV's a mess!!! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry, two pages! Who am I trying to kid, one page will definitely not get me far with my cv!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heyyy maybe you should rediscover Adriene now 🥰 And yes, definitely passion before money, but I had to chase money first to understand this deep down 😅 17 jobs sounds like a CV of this era so I wouldn’t worry! 🤩 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really?! EveryoneI know have been in their jobs for 10-30 years 😂 I guess they are old school!!! Yoga isn’t in my life anymore coz of my split abs from the twin pregnancy 😭 I’m happy you found lovely Adriene and also your calling in work life – at least for now! ❤️ stay healthy! (We have ”kihomatoja” at daycare right now!!!!! YIKES!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I have been “stalking” the ppl who got the jobs I applied for on LinkedIn and it seems the trend is that you should change jobs every two years!
Hahah that’s the joy of daycare isn’t it! We had lice on my second day 😅
Take care 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ps. I just met someone at work who has been working for our company for 46 years!!! 😅 The mere thought gives me anxiety: your whole, unique life at one employer!!!! 😱 Did they not at any point have any curiosity towards what else is out there?! Anyway, it made me think of our conversation 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
46 years!!!! Woooow! That’s commitment for sure. 🙏 I have found that I crave change, couldn’t do the same.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah! Same!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yoga with Adriene was definitey a life changer for me as well!
Good luck in your new endeavor! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to hear of another Adriene fan 💕💕 I feel so lucky to have found her. Initially I was directed to another yoga YouTuber but wasn’t feeling it and started randomly looking around and trying different ones. And thank you for the well wishes! 🙏
LikeLike
Suvi, you’ve got such a wonderful passionate adventurous spirit 🙂 good luck with your new job 🙂 it doesn’t matter if it will work out for you or not, imho it’s always better to gain experience than just sit idle 🙂
your 5-minute commute literally made me laugh so hard lol 😀 ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Alexandra! Haha I really did love my 5 min commute. Imagine what a difference compared to the 1 hr. I hope to never have such a long commute again. I have learned that I value my free time more than for example money. 💵
LikeLike
Best of luck to you! It’s a crazy time in the world and that, coupled with natural swings in one’s desire for different lines of work, has caused changes for so many people. Hope yours turns out great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much dear 💕I do realize that I am one of the lucky ones as not everyone has the chance to fall back on a former career. These times are tough and challenge all of us! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck on your new job Suvi! Change is a good thing, especially when you’re the one controlling it 🙂 It takes a certain amount of stamina to enjoy dramatic changes like this, but it sounds like you enjoy it. Good for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Sandy! Hehe thanks, I think I have the flare for dramatics 😅 Hope it all turns out good! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yoga with Adriene has changed my life! And I loved Home this year! 🙂
It’s so interesting to hear you discuss the negative side of Finland’s education, because of Finland’s success on the PISA in the last couple decades. From my understanding, Finland is considered a world leader in education. However, it is also my understanding that Finland is hugely selective in choosing candidates for teacher education programs. Is this selectivity causing the shortage, or is there something else going on?
I’m currently a Master’s of Education candidate in the United States studying Elementary Education. I don’t have a bachelor’s in teaching, but I’ve held various positions in education over the past five years. I’m both excited and nervous at the prospect of being a classroom teacher–the job is super demanding here in the U.S., too, and teacher burnout is high. I’m looking forward to seeing where my journey in education takes me, though.
I wish you the best as you embark on your journey back into education!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Britta! You are right, it is very difficult to get into teacher programs here but that’s not the reason for the shortage in early childhood. I would say the problems are many, for eg. resources, terrible pay, constant changeover in staff, difficulty to get substitutes, behavioural challenges (integration), adult to child ratio, the demanding curriculum (if you are short on staff, when can you plan) and so on 😅 There has also been some controversy with the early childhood education teacher training, as it just moved to university when I started in 1995 and then a few years on, the universities of applied sciences were able to have their own teacher training. There was a huge discussion but I didn’t really follow it, so better I don’t comment 😂 At the moment more study placements are needed desperately because so many people have fled the field and won’t be back! I’m hoping we have a good team and can make things work together (3 adults and 21 children)! 💕 I’m happy to hear that you’re also on this journey and I hope it turns out to be great for both of us 🤩❤️
LikeLike
What an amazing lady you are!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aww thank you for your kind words! 💕 I don’t feel so amazing yet, rather a bit scared of the challenges ahead 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that you’ve touched on what sets people apart in the work force and that’s trying something new! I feel like half the workforce works to pay the bills and are focused on things outside of work (raising a family, paying off a mortgage etc) and the other half are willing to learn new things and be in the position of the possibilities of the unknown. I have also tried out a new role this year- let’s see where it goes! All the best on your new adventure!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi there and thank you for taking the time to read my long post! Wonderful that you’ve taken the leap and are trying something new as well! Good luck 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I cannot tell you how many things ring a bell in your post!!
– “Challenging” CV (I’m sure yours isn’t as mediocre as you’re saying!!)
– passion over wise career move
– early childhood education
– yoga with Adrienne!!!
I have a degree in English (as a foreign language) and was supposed to become a teacher but I failed the exam. I wasn’t fit for the French education system anyway…
The first job I applied for when arriving in England to settle down was in the catering business. For more than 15 years I’ve tried almost everything there is in this field (mainly in France). I love the job but sometimes feel frustrated I never really trained for it. The result is that I feel I can do many things but never perfectly.
Moving in a rural area 5 years ago made me change direction. I’m now a stewardess on board ferries between France, England, and Spain.
Then COVID19 happened. Never career move?
I’m thinking of training to work in early childhood education but the amount of administration procedures to train while being unemployed has taken most of my motivation and I wonder if I should just give up and find a “bread and butter” day job in the meantime…
Sorry that’s a very long comment!!
Good luck to you on this new journey. Let me know how it is going.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your lovely comment 💕💕 So happy it resonates with someone even though I would hope people have an easier career path than me 😅 Maybe you could try with the degree you have, there surely is a huge need for English as a second language teachers? The ferries in Finland are up and running again (with new routes too as Sweden is not on the travel list for anyone at the moment), although it will take time for the customers to return. Perhaps your job will begin again soon too? I have understood it’s difficult to navigate the procedures if you want to study while unemployed, so I understand the struggle! I think it should be made easier as isn’t studying for a new career a good thing? 🤔 Good luck whichever way life takes you 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Good luck to you too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too am a big fan of yoga with Adriene. Good luck in your new role.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sheree 💕 Today I’m giving Adriene a miss as there’s yoga outside in the nearby park, yay!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yoga outside – lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person