So much of this resonated for me. I've been on Mark Manson's mailing list for years. His mail often goes unopened now but every so often I get an intuitive nudge to open one and I often find a useful question to reflect on. My final decision to leave my corporate job came from somebody saying the words "Your environment is your training ground." It was a slap in the face because I had always claimed the job was "my training" and that I was learning a load of valuable skills for when I would finally leave and do something I actually cared about. To have that flipped on me and have my eyes opened to that fact that, by staying in that environment, I was training myself to stay in that environment was the moment I couldn't close my eyes anymore. It's been 7 years now and I've only just got to the point where I don't miss the status anymore. The people who matter will be more impressed by that fact that you're not a lawyer anymore than by any title you used to hold. Thanks for sharing your story .
Great article, Noor. Looks to me like you made the right choice.
It's your life, and as long as you can afford to pay your bills, why not do what you want? You'll be happier in the long run. The stress of the lawyer job sounds horrendous.
Love this Noor. Another MM & I were talking about this article. The decision to leave is often not full of fanfare. But when the lightbulb goes on and you are ready to go, you go.
Good for you Noor. I tend to believe that we rarely "regret" taking risks (barring serious I jury, penury, etc.,). We may fail, yes, but life is both too short and too long to not chase the things we desire.
Noor, well done on having the emotional capacity to step out of your prison of wage slavery to follow your passion. Mine is art, and my form of wage slavery was medicine. Unfortunately, in Britain, there is a huge national undercurrent of anti-intellectualism, to add to it’s rampant underlying and un-admitted racism. For lots of reasons, I had also had enough. Now I am trying to summon up the energy to move on with my art. Sister, I wish you the very best in your creative pursuits and look forward to reading your work when it is finally released to the world.
Congrats on taking the red pill. It's not an easy choice.
I love the way you've broken down what you're willing to endure for the thing you love, AND what you're willing to give up.
My dad always says, "You can have anything you want, but you can't have everything" - meaning: you have to choose, and every choice involves sacrifice.
I hate when he says that, but he's not wrong.
You did the hard work of looking at what you really want with clear eyes. And now you get to start a new adventure on your terms. I love that.
The things you are writing are already impactful and encouraging! —I loved reading your work in class and I look forward to finding your updates in my inbox. Can’t wait to read your novel!!
I'm so glad the universe put us in the same creative writing class Jade because I'm also a fan of your writing. I can't see yellow kitchens without thinking of you. How are your writing projects going?
To be honest, until yesterday I hadn’t really written much at all since the end of the semester. Since a lot of my writing is emotional and reflective, I have a hard time writing when I’m feeling stuck in my emotions. But I have caught the writing bug again, so hopefully I’ll have some good forward momentum.
Noor, I appreciate this post. I'm so glad for you and your family that you made this brave choice. As for me, I was in the environmental consulting field for 30 years and just realized that chapter was over for me last fall. My pivot was leaving the acquiring mega-firm to see what it was like to be free of work. My dad used to say "win a few, lose a lot" which pissed me off and motivated me to become an entrepreneur. But I also never wanted to depend on another person for money, which came from seeing my dad leave my mom after 25 years together. I am an empty nester but worked hard to balance work and parenting - I missed some things. My husband is a saint also with a flexible job so he was fantastic at parenting, coaching, cooking, and driving. My pivot to writing is about excavating my creative self, buried deep inside while my energy was directed to my career and achieving financial stability. That said, I am revising and organizing essays, and hope to produce something worthwhile to someone in the next year or two. Please know that your journey inspires me!
Noor, this sated my curiosity and set the kindling for more!!!
I enjoy Mark Manson quite a bit, and totally felt you as you described the surprising impact of one particular set of questions he raised for you. Unromantic, for sure… impossible to ‘unsee once seen,’ also FOR SURE.
Many would call what you’ve done ‘brave,’ but coming from someone who’s also made a similar pivot (and helps others in their process), I know it’s something a little apart from bravery. It’s existential, and completely necessary once the chain on that lightbulb is pulled.
Thank you for sharing, and for doing the hard work which is doing YOU!
You can still pretend to be a lawyer in certain situations. “All the world’s a stage”
So much of this resonated for me. I've been on Mark Manson's mailing list for years. His mail often goes unopened now but every so often I get an intuitive nudge to open one and I often find a useful question to reflect on. My final decision to leave my corporate job came from somebody saying the words "Your environment is your training ground." It was a slap in the face because I had always claimed the job was "my training" and that I was learning a load of valuable skills for when I would finally leave and do something I actually cared about. To have that flipped on me and have my eyes opened to that fact that, by staying in that environment, I was training myself to stay in that environment was the moment I couldn't close my eyes anymore. It's been 7 years now and I've only just got to the point where I don't miss the status anymore. The people who matter will be more impressed by that fact that you're not a lawyer anymore than by any title you used to hold. Thanks for sharing your story .
Thank you Rahma!
Great article, Noor. Looks to me like you made the right choice.
It's your life, and as long as you can afford to pay your bills, why not do what you want? You'll be happier in the long run. The stress of the lawyer job sounds horrendous.
Thank you Wendy!
Love this Noor. Another MM & I were talking about this article. The decision to leave is often not full of fanfare. But when the lightbulb goes on and you are ready to go, you go.
Thank you Maria! I love when the words I write sparks conversation. So glad you came by and engaged.
I’m cheering you on your journey. I cannot wait to read your novel!
Good for you Noor. I tend to believe that we rarely "regret" taking risks (barring serious I jury, penury, etc.,). We may fail, yes, but life is both too short and too long to not chase the things we desire.
Agree wholeheartedly. Thanks Evan!
Noor, well done on having the emotional capacity to step out of your prison of wage slavery to follow your passion. Mine is art, and my form of wage slavery was medicine. Unfortunately, in Britain, there is a huge national undercurrent of anti-intellectualism, to add to it’s rampant underlying and un-admitted racism. For lots of reasons, I had also had enough. Now I am trying to summon up the energy to move on with my art. Sister, I wish you the very best in your creative pursuits and look forward to reading your work when it is finally released to the world.
Thanks for your encouragement! I am wishing you all the best in your art journey as well :)
P.S. Just re-reading my comment before posting it, I realise that Britain is very much like France regarding its un-admitted underlying racism.
Congrats on taking the red pill. It's not an easy choice.
I love the way you've broken down what you're willing to endure for the thing you love, AND what you're willing to give up.
My dad always says, "You can have anything you want, but you can't have everything" - meaning: you have to choose, and every choice involves sacrifice.
I hate when he says that, but he's not wrong.
You did the hard work of looking at what you really want with clear eyes. And now you get to start a new adventure on your terms. I love that.
Your dad sounds very wise, thank you for sharing that insight, and your encouragement!
The things you are writing are already impactful and encouraging! —I loved reading your work in class and I look forward to finding your updates in my inbox. Can’t wait to read your novel!!
I'm so glad the universe put us in the same creative writing class Jade because I'm also a fan of your writing. I can't see yellow kitchens without thinking of you. How are your writing projects going?
To be honest, until yesterday I hadn’t really written much at all since the end of the semester. Since a lot of my writing is emotional and reflective, I have a hard time writing when I’m feeling stuck in my emotions. But I have caught the writing bug again, so hopefully I’ll have some good forward momentum.
Totally get it. You’ll get back to it when you’re ready.
You have more courage than most to follow the truth in your mission. Can’t wait to read your novel.
Thank you Michelle!
Noor, I appreciate this post. I'm so glad for you and your family that you made this brave choice. As for me, I was in the environmental consulting field for 30 years and just realized that chapter was over for me last fall. My pivot was leaving the acquiring mega-firm to see what it was like to be free of work. My dad used to say "win a few, lose a lot" which pissed me off and motivated me to become an entrepreneur. But I also never wanted to depend on another person for money, which came from seeing my dad leave my mom after 25 years together. I am an empty nester but worked hard to balance work and parenting - I missed some things. My husband is a saint also with a flexible job so he was fantastic at parenting, coaching, cooking, and driving. My pivot to writing is about excavating my creative self, buried deep inside while my energy was directed to my career and achieving financial stability. That said, I am revising and organizing essays, and hope to produce something worthwhile to someone in the next year or two. Please know that your journey inspires me!
Thanks so much for this thoughtful note, I'm looking forward to reading your essays Ashley!
Noor, this sated my curiosity and set the kindling for more!!!
I enjoy Mark Manson quite a bit, and totally felt you as you described the surprising impact of one particular set of questions he raised for you. Unromantic, for sure… impossible to ‘unsee once seen,’ also FOR SURE.
Many would call what you’ve done ‘brave,’ but coming from someone who’s also made a similar pivot (and helps others in their process), I know it’s something a little apart from bravery. It’s existential, and completely necessary once the chain on that lightbulb is pulled.
Thank you for sharing, and for doing the hard work which is doing YOU!
Thanks so much Bree!