Changing Career Paths... Is it too late?

If you’ve read a bit into the fashion section of my blog, you might be aware of the fact that I took a 180-degree turn in my career path. From starting out with a bachelor’s in law, to ending up completing a Master's in the Fashion Business Industry.

And truthfully, I didn’t even see it coming until the very last minute.

I changed my direction halfway through my fourth year of law school. This is a point where most of my friends were already deep into doing interviews to secure their placements for the next 2 years of their lives. And yet, something inside of me knew... This isn't where I'm meant to be.

SOMETHING FELT OFF

Back in my second year of law school, I decided that I wanted to specialise in Medical Law. I was surrounded by medical knowledge and genuinely found it really interesting.

At the time, it felt like a good way to balance my personal interests with what would be practical, since many other legal subjects seemed dull and uninspiring.

But everything changed when I did a small internship in my fourth year at a Family law firm.

It is safe to say that it left me emotionally wrecked.

I suddenly didn’t want to ever get married or have kids because I was surrounded by constant conflict, heartbreak and some of the worst-case scenarios life could throw at you.

So naturally.......I freaked out.

ENTER: THE QUARTER-LIFE CRISIS

I don't think I can do this for the rest of my life...

I am 21 and I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life…

I spiralled into a full-on, mid-lecture, lie-awake-at-night, quarter-life crisis.

(Yes, mine came a little earlier than they usually do.)

After at least a few weeks of freaking out, I decided that the easiest way for me to change career directions would be to study a master's in something more aligned with something that inspires me. One thing was for sure… I wanted flexibility in my future, to be able to work on my own terms.

That realization led me to entrepreneurship, and after deciding that my dream would be to launch my own clothing brand one day, I started looking into courses that would be the most beneficial in working towards that goal.

And that is really all there is to how I ended up in my university course. It is the only one in the world of its type, so I had to pack my bags and go to London, even though I never saw myself ever living there.

The road hasn't been easy, mentally or physically.

There were many moments of doubt, grief, and oh yes.... IMPOSTOR SYNDROME.

(As someone who has never lived in or been interested in the fashion industry, going to fashion school was INTIMIDATING, to say the least)

But looking back now, I am very happy that everything panned out the way it did for me. I now have a completely different perspective on my future and the possibilities that could await me. Nothing is set in stone, but I am at peace with not rushing the life that has been laid out for me.

TO ANYONE FEELING LOST:

If you're reading this and feel like you've taken the wrong path in life, or that you're stuck in something you chose before you really knew yourself... I want you to know :

It's okay.

Even though I had the priviledge of still studying and changing paths through education, I was still at rock bottom emotionally when I made my decision. I didn't have it all mapped out. And I was also scared of a future where I didn't know if I'd make it.

But I stopped waiting for the "perfect plan" and started sitting with the discomfort, strategizing how to go around the issue to end up where I want to be.

FINAL THOUGHT:

One thing I’ve come to realize over the past few years is this:

Most people remain stagnant because they are either comfortable or scared

Change feels risky. But staying stuck costs far more.

If you feel a pull towards doing something else... follow it.

Even if it means starting small. Because small steps taken consistently over time can lead to meaningful progress.

In 5 years, you could be in a completely different place. One that feels like you.

All because you started now.

The best part? We're living in a time where planning and exploring new paths have never been easier. With tools like AI, we can easily assess and build a plan to move forward, one step at a time.

You don't need to have it all figured out.

You just need to begin.