hi! I’m 23, and I have spent the last 4 years as a pet groomer. did exceptionally well, lots of awards and making great money. however, since the beginning of the year, something has shifted. I don’t feel fulfilled anymore. the years of not feeling the physical toll has caught up to me, and now I’m in my early 20s and I’m having the back pain of a pensioner from deadlifting 60kg dogs every day, and going 9+ hours a day without even sitting on a toilet. the emotional tolls are also catching up to me - my fuse has gotten shorter, and I’m finding myself extremely frustrated about the different personalities of these pets most of the working day, which is obviously a horrible thing that pains me to admit as the worlds biggest animal lover, but it’s true.
I feel so deeply that it’s time for a change, but I have no idea what. I miss working face to face with people, and before grooming, I worked various customer service jobs since I was 13. the thought of going back into retail or hospitality after being on such great money after the last few years - as a renter - does make me a bit physically ill!
people who went through career changes after being so certain you figured out the rest of your life… how did you figure out your next move?