The First Step To a New Journey Is Scary, But It Will Be Worth It

I admit, burnout hit me hard more than a couple of times in a span of 2 years. On those burnout moments, something in me craved for something new yet I didn't know what exactly. I wanted to stay in the company but something about writing every single day exhausted me too much. Don't get me wrong, writing is my life. Writing is my passion; but too much of something ends up becoming a not-so-good thing. Nevertheless, I didn't set the thought aside that maybe, just maybe, I can do something else. That's when the unexpected thought of becoming an SEO specialist hit me.

The itch to try and do something new didn't fade. After the spur of the moment idea of venturing out to the digital marketing side, I started asking my colleagues around if they think I've got what it takes. Eventually, I also voiced it out to my boss. I took the necessary next step to put the thought in motion and when I hit 'send' on my email, I knew there was no turning back. That itching thought or big decision? Trust me, it wouldn't happen unless you take the courage to take that first step and if the idea stays restless in your mind, it's asking you to finally take a leap of faith.

My first days as an SEO wasn't too good. I was so scared of screwing up because unlike creating content, I'm dealing with crucial data and reports this time. My job goes past the territories of creativity and as my new digital marketing journey began, I suddenly had so many doubts. Will I make it? Will our websites work and rank properly if I handle them? Yes, I had countless doubts but eventually, I realized the shift was worth it. First, because I gained new knowledge. I gained a new skill. It's different, yes, but it's enjoyable. Second, I finally have enough time and brain power for my writing projects. (including this blog!) As a copywriter whose duty is to spurt out content every single day, I ended up being too drained for my own writing. The time was there but the energy, inspiration, and brain power weren't.

Don't worry, people are going to help you out. You're going to help yourself, too.

It's a new adventure, a new journey, and you wanted this. Some people will surely be a bunch of steps ahead, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to keep up. Don't be too hard on yourself. Keep your pace and slowly speed up, and don't hesitate to ask around for help. I know people who'd rather figure things out on their own instead of asking around, but trust me. Having someone with more experience tell you the ins and outs of the game helps a lot. Of course, you'll be helping yourself, too! People may sometimes forget we're just beginners in the field and expect us to already know a few basics that we don't actually know, and that's fine. You can always help yourself through self-studying and back up your new knowledge with questions or clarifications from the experts. Learning is fun, really! 

It's going to be a crazy journey. But rest assured you will be a different person because of it. It's gonna help you grow, and you wouldn't be the person you were before. You'd miss the old life and the convenience it brings, but you'd love venturing out in the unkwown and discovering new things. Your old life will always be there. It will always be a part of you. This new journey, it's going to be part of you, too. So embrace it. If you did not end up loving it, at least it has taught you something valuable. 

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When my new journey begun, I yearned for affirmation and a sense of assurance. I'm not sure if this post will be of help to you in any way, but I hope it will be. Let me know about your story. :)

Keep creating,