I almost talked myself out of it. Over and over again.
The steady paycheck, the comfort of routine, the fear of starting over—it all felt safer than taking the leap into something new. I told myself I’d wait until after the wedding, or until my finances felt more stable, or until I magically felt “ready.” But deep down, I knew I was lying to myself.
And then one day, it hit me: If I don’t make this change now, I’ll still be sitting here in a year feeling exactly the same—stuck.
That realization terrified me more than any fear of failure ever could.
I had built my life around a job that I liked but rarely felt fulfilled. I had convinced myself that being “comfortable” was enough. But when the desire for something more started creeping a year ago, it wouldn’t let go. And this time, instead of pushing it aside, I decided to listen.
The Turning Point
It all started with a friend recommending a webinar hosted by career coach Elyse Conroy called “The #1 Secret to Progress Your Career in 90 Days or Less." Honestly, I signed up on a whim—half curious, half desperate—but what happened next changed everything.
During one of the journaling exercises for the workshop, I had what can only be described as an emotional meltdown followed by a breakthrough. The thought of staying in my current role for another 9 or 10 months made me physically ill. It wasn’t that my job was terrible; it just wasn’t right for me anymore. And waiting for some perfect moment to make a change wasn’t going to solve anything.
That session with Elyse—and the group of women who shared their own fears and breakthroughs—lit a fire in me. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel stuck; I felt ready to take action.
Taking the Leap
Once I decided to move forward, there was no turning back. I started doing the legwork: crunching numbers to figure out if this was financially feasible, committing to what it would take logistically to get licensed in real estate, and having tough conversations with my fiancé and family about how this decision would impact our plans.
What started as an overwhelming idea quickly turned into an actionable plan. My timeline went from months to weeks to days. Before I knew it, I was handing in my notice—and let me tell you, the weight that lifted off my shoulders was immediate and undeniable.
In LESS than 90 days, I went from feeling stuck in my corporate role to starting fresh as a newly licensed real estate agent. It wasn’t easy (hello, imposter syndrome!), but every step reaffirmed that this was exactly where I needed to be.
5 Things I’ve Learned Since Becoming a Licensed Real Estate Agent
Blurring Personal Relationships with Professionalism Can Be Tricky—but Rewarding
Whether I’m working with someone I’ve known for years or someone I just met, I feel deeply invested in their journey. Real estate is such a personal process, and going above and beyond for my clients is something that drives me every day.I Missed People More Than I Realized
Working remotely taught me how productive I could be—but it also made me realize how isolating it can feel. Real estate has brought back that human interaction I craved: meeting new people, breaking up my daily routine, and learning something new every single day (or almost every second of every day!)You Don’t Have to Know Everything Right Away
People assume real estate agents know where every property is located—and let’s just say my sense of direction isn’t my strongest skill! But instead of letting that hold me back, I’ve challenged myself to explore neighborhoods and businesses more intentionally (and yes, sometimes take the scenic route).You’re Never Fully Ready (and That’s Okay)
If you wait until everything is perfect—your finances, timing, or confidence—you’ll never make the leap. Every major change I've made has left me thinking I wish I'd done this sooner. But here’s the truth: you can only act when you’re ready enough—and that’s okay.Growth Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone
Leaving a stable job after nearly seven years was terrifying—but also liberating. The discomfort pushed me to grow in ways I never expected and gave me a renewed sense of purpose.
If you’re considering a career change but feel overwhelmed by fear or uncertainty, here’s what helped me:
Find a Neutral Support System: For me, this was Elyse Conroy’s workshop—a group of like-minded women who offered encouragement without any personal stake in my final decision.
Trust That You’ll Figure It Out: You don’t need all the answers right away; you just need enough clarity to take the first step.
Give Yourself Grace: Change is hard! Celebrate small wins along the way and remember that progress isn’t always linear.
Making this leap wasn’t easy—but it was worth it. If you’re feeling stuck or contemplating a big change, know this: You’re not alone in your fears or uncertainties—but you’re also capable of so much more than you think.
Thinking about making a career change and need someone to talk it through with? Reach out—I’d love to share more about my experience or connect you with resources like Elyse’s coaching program.