Why your next career might be your best one yet

A while back, I shared some thoughts about changing careers—especially what it feels like to start fresh during a career change later in life, when your experience doesn’t quite align with where you want to go. That post sparked heartfelt responses from people navigating similar transitions, questioning their next steps, or simply wondering if it’s too late to begin again.

So I wanted to follow up. This isn’t a guide or a how-to. It’s a personal reflection on the emotional side of change. The doubts, the surprises, and the quiet excitement that comes when you realize there’s still more ahead.

Because the truth is: it’s never too late to pursue what truly makes you happy.

The myth of the "right time"

We grow up believing there's a timeline. Pick a career by 20. Climb the ladder by 30. Have it all figured out by the time you're 40. If you step off that path, it can feel like you’ve done something wrong. Admitting you want something different later in life—such as making a midlife career pivot—might even feel like a failure.

But that pressure comes from a script that isn’t real.

I spent my early working years in our family’s business. It wasn’t until my late 20s that I even considered becoming a designer. In my 30s, I threw myself into it. In my 40s, I started exploring side projects and playing with new ideas. And now, as 50 slowly but surely approaches, I’m still daydreaming like a university kid. Maybe I’ll act on those ideas. Maybe my daughters will beat me to them. Either way, I’m not done.

What makes you happy is a moving target

Our interests change because we change. When I was younger, I mostly lived in the present. The idea of thinking long-term or planning for the future felt abstract at best. But with age comes perspective. You start asking different questions. Not just "What am I good at?" but "What do I want to wake up and do every day?".

I’ve always believed in working on something you love—something that energizes you. But I’ve also come to understand that love can evolve. You may still care about the same things, but your relationship with them shifts. That’s not failure. That’s growth.

Experience is an asset, not a limitation

There’s a misconception that changing paths means starting from zero. That’s rarely true. The skills, habits, and stories you carry with you are part of your toolkit.

Before I became a full-time designer, I worked in the hospitality industry. Years later, when I joined Booking.com as a UX designer, that background suddenly became relevant. Understanding hospitality helped me think like our users. Turns out, nothing was wasted.

Even now, as a product designer, my go-to question is "Why?" That mindset—questioning, analyzing, zooming out—applies far beyond pixels and screens. It shapes how I solve problems, lead projects, and even parent my kids.

Designing your own path

One thing design has taught me: there's no such thing as a perfect first draft. You start by listening. Really listening. To what people need—or in this case, what you need. Then you try things. You prototype. You test. You iterate. You learn.

The same goes for careers.

Growing older doesn’t make change impossible. In fact, a career change later in life often comes with more clarity, even if the path feels more nuanced. Yes, you’ve got responsibilities. Yes, you need to pay the bills. But that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment. Take on a freelance project. Learn a new skill. Tinker with an idea on nights and weekends.

You don’t have to leap without a safety net. Just take one small step in a new direction. See what you learn.

The hard part no one talks about

A career change isn’t all lightbulb moments and LinkedIn updates. It’s also fear. Doubt. The nagging voice that says, "Who do you think you are?"

It’s the quiet nights spent learning something new. The rejections. The frustration of being a beginner again. But it’s also the joy of rediscovering yourself. The small wins. The renewed sense of purpose. The moment when someone says, “You’re really good at this,” and you smile because you finally believe it, too.

Permission to change

If you’re reading this and wondering if it’s too late to start over, or shift gears, or do something different, consider this your permission slip.

You’re not behind.

You’re not stuck.

You’re just getting started.

I’d love to hear your thoughts—whether you’re in the midst of a career change, considering one, or have a story to share. Feel free to reply to my newsletter or leave a comment. Let’s talk about the beautiful mess of figuring it out together.