I got the 'perfect job' in my field after graduating. Two years later, I left it all behind and moved to Tokyo.

"On paper, it was a dream job. It felt grown-up, fit my background, and seemed like the right thing to do. Over time, though, that feeling faded. I wasn't ready to settle down, and I could feel it. Between life changes, teaching burnout, and a growing disconnect from my passions, I felt stuck."

"I've always been creatively inclined, whether that meant writing, making videos, cooking, or creating digital resources in my free time. Instead, many of my nights were spent prepping lessons, grading assignments, and reading essays, leaving little room for the hobbies that filled me up."

"Gradually, the work took a toll on me, but the expectation that a 'good' job is one you stick with for years made leaving seem like breaking the rules."

After earning a bachelor's degree in social work and ESL certifications, the author accepted a college instructor position that appeared ideal on paper. The role offered good hours, kind students, and family approval, fitting neatly into societal expectations of post-graduation success. However, over time, the position became unfulfilling despite its stability and alignment with the author's background. Teaching responsibilities consumed evenings with lesson preparation, grading, and administrative tasks, leaving no space for creative pursuits like writing, video-making, and cooking that genuinely energized the author. The disconnect between external validation and internal satisfaction grew, revealing that conventional career paths do not automatically lead to meaningful work or personal fulfillment.

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