Navigating the Emotions of Leaving Medicine

The years I spent planning my departure from clinical practice into an encore career were very, very emotional. It touched my identity, relationships, values, and a deeply ingrained sense of duty. For many doctors, it feels less like changing jobs and more like leaving a core part of who they are.

I felt anger and frustration because I knew I wasn't reaching my full potential, I felt I had no purpose and that left me bored. Tired and bored - a great recipe for disillusionment. Shame and a sense of failure seeped into every part of my life - I wasn't a great doctor, but I wasn't a great mother, daughter or friend either. At least that's what I thought then. Now I know that's the burnout talking. I was so fearful of the future that I was paralysed in a place that made me unhappy. And don't forget the grief for the lost promise of a brilliant, world-changing career that my younger self had aspired to.

The Kubler-Ross Change Curve showing emotions over time during change

Living with career uncertainty is a deeply emotional experience and understanding this is the first step to gaining clarity and control. Although the Kubler-Ross Change Curve is widely criticised for oversimplifying a complex area, it helped me to understand and accept these emotions. I spent a lot of time bouncing between "setback" and "sadness" until a very wise person suggested it was about time I began building a metaphorical life boat. I liked the sound of that.

If you are in an unhappy place in your career, it might be a good time to start building your metaphorical lifeboat

My lifeboat made me feel hopeful about the future and reminded me I have choices (and that is a luxury many don't have). But where would it take me? And how strong would it need to be to get me there?

To do that, I had to seriously start planning my journey.