You Can Change The Cards You Are Dealt
When I look back at my life, especially at my massive career change in 2015, it becomes glaringly clear that I’ve lived this truth. Let me take you on a journey—one that might just energize your own and remind you that the cards you hold in life are yours to change.
Stuck Between Dreams and Reality
For years, I had a deep passion for design, but I felt stuck. My career at the time was rooted in the art world, and while it offered creative exposure, it never quite scratched the itch I had to create. It felt like I was living parallel to my true calling, always observing but never stepping into the arena.
I’d always loved playing with color, form, and typography. I’d sketch designs in the margins of notebooks and lose hours experimenting with concepts on a pirated version of Photoshop. But the voice in my head kept saying, That’s not for you. You missed your chance. I’d convinced myself that changing careers was impossible—a pipe dream reserved for someone with more time, more talent, or more luck.
The Leap of Faith
Then 2015 happened. Call it a quarter-life crisis, a moment of clarity, or simply exhaustion from settling for less, but something shifted. I realized that my dissatisfaction stemmed not from my circumstances, but from my fear of breaking free. I was handed a set of cards in life, and for the first time, I wondered: What if I just reshuffle the deck?
I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue what felt impossible: becoming a successful graphic designer. It wasn’t a seamless transition. I had to teach myself skills, unlearn limiting beliefs, and navigate the intimidating waters of freelancing and building a portfolio. But with each step forward, I felt more aligned with who I was meant to be.
Lessons from Reinvention
Through the process, I discovered something powerful: we are all, in a way, making it up as we go. There’s no perfect script or timeline, and that’s the beauty of it. Every successful designer, entrepreneur, or artist started somewhere uncertain. And when you take ownership of your journey, the possibilities are endless.
Here are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way:
Permission is Self-Given: No one will hand you the life you want. You have to give yourself permission to pursue it.
Imposter Syndrome is Universal: Even the most seasoned creatives question their worth. What matters is showing up anyway.
Progress Over Perfection: The best way to grow is to start. Every project, whether it’s a masterpiece or a misstep, teaches you something valuable.
The Deck is Yours to Change: If you don’t like the cards you’ve been dealt, get rid of them. You have the power to create a new hand, a new deck, or even a new game entirely.
Energize Your Own Journey
If you’re standing at the edge of a dream and feeling paralyzed, know this: the leap is worth it. Reinvention isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. You can change your cards. You can rewrite the rules. And along the way, you’ll teach others what you most needed to learn yourself.
Today, I’m living proof that a wonderful life as a graphic designer isn’t just possible—it’s mine. I’m doing work I love, creating bold visuals that energize and inspire others, and enjoying a lifestyle I once thought was out of reach.
So, what’s your deck of cards look like? Are you ready to shuffle, toss, or completely rebuild it? Because trust me—you can.
If you’re on your own creative journey or considering a career change, I’d love to hear about it. Let’s connect and share the lessons we’ve learned along the way.
