It was not easy for me to finish reading this but I know for sure couple of things about you and some things about life. 1. you did not do any mistake by taking a sabbatical and trying to find your self and your true passion. 2. you are a strong person and you will figure out things in due time.
as for life is concerned -1. we all have to undergo our struggles ourselves before we become that beautiful butterfly and not remain in the cocoon forever aka comfort zone 2. whatever does not kill us always makes us stronger.
so here are 3 cheers to you , Vinamrata Singal- we are proud of you.
this is all very true. thank you for reading and supporting, as always mom. despite whatever i'm experiencing rn, i'm only strong and resilient enough to get through it because of you.
Thanks for sharing. I'm transitioning from a software engineer to a math/CS teacher. I can relate having to tell people my story again and again. I don't miss work as much. However, I do miss a nice salary and all the wonderful colleagues. I also miss Google, my last employer, a lot. It's a great company.
It's a long story but ever since I came to know about Teach for America, I've wanted to teach in disadvantaged communities. It was difficult to break from tech and the comfortable life that it afforded us. In the last couple of years I was experiencing symptoms of burnout and finding it harder and harder to go to work. So I figured it was time to pursue teaching. I'm going back to school next week to get a master in education and the credential to teach in CA. When school starts in the fall, I'll also be a resident teacher at a low-income high school in East San Jose, CA. If everything goes well, I'll be a full-time Math/CS teacher in the 2025-2026 school year.
That's amazing! Congrats on making the jump and committing to the path. I'm empathetic to how hard it is to leave something that seems good behind to do what you really love. Sending you all the positive energy! The kids will be lucky to have you as their teacher :)
Wait you finished the first draft of your novel!! And you ran a half marathon 😅 Vinamrata both those things alone are hugeeee accomplishments (and I know not alone on the list of things you’ve been doing). I wouldn’t worry about word count because I’m sure drafts only get longer in rewrites and this gives you space to expand whenever you do revise. Plus Christopher Nolan’s first movie came from a short story his brother wrote so I feel like your own that same trajectory. I am happy to see though your cutting your to do list and focusing in on a few key things. It’s so important! Thank you for sharing too. I feel like the addiction to achievement is a hard one to break, hence our love for the corporate structure and its inconsistent external validation.
<3 thank you for the support michelle- i really appreciate it! you're totally right that those are big deals. it's hard for me to celebrate these milestones because i know so many people who have done them (and more). but that's part of the work for me!
Hey Vinamrata, I’m so happy to come across this post! I’m in a similar situation — after an Amazon layoff last year I decided to spend a year+ traveling, and am now trying to figure out what’s next. I love that you dove into your sabbatical with so much intention; mine kind of formed as I went, especially realizing how burnt I was and how much my family’s / others expectations had controlled me. Looking forward to hearing how you piece your new career together as I work on doing the same!
Hey Zefan- thank you so much for reading this and checking out my article. I checked out some of your writing and love the blend of travel writing with open/honest conversations about your sabbatical. Looking forward to seeing how things evolve on your end!
Hi Vinamrata! I have been really enjoying reading your journey, your exploration, and insights! So much resonates with me all the time, just know you have a lot of readers who feel kinship with you! (I too, come from a PM-adjacent background and have been on sabbatical, exploring more creative pursuits.)
I can't recall if you've mentioned The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron before, so excuse me if it has beem brought up to you or by you before, but I just wanted to chime in and recommend it! It has helped me immensely with tackling achieving/perfectionist/critical tendencies and focus on the joy and the process of creative work. The morning pages can be very therapeutic! Also, any resources showcasing the wisdom of Elizabeth Gilbert also help me when I start to spiral on my journey too, haha.
It takes so much faith and self-trust when you are facing the unknown, but you have shown so much wisdom, patience, and self-compassion to navigate all of it!
Hi Demi- lovely to e-meet you and thank you for dropping a comment. I'm glad that what I wrote resonated with you, and I really appreciate the kinship and comraderie that's come from this newsletter <3
Elizabeth Gilbert and Artists Way are great recommendations! Big Magic is definitely one of my favorite books.
Thank you for your vote of confidence in me- I'm excited to keep going on this path and see what comes out of it :) If I can be helpful in anyway as you explore your own journey, please don't be afraid to reach out. I can't promise to hop on a call, but I'm always happy to exchange thoughts over email.
love that you're honoring your intuition over calendar holds
hilariously, walking first thing in the morning is something I'd resisted for a long time and it's become a seamless part of my mornings now that I don't discipline myself to meditate and journal first thing. all about the surrender. different strokes for different folks – rooting for you!
if you haven't read Michael Singer's The Surrender Experiment, think you'd draw inspiration from it in trusting the unfolding
thanks for sharing cissy! i have skimmed singer's book (got to the part where he quits his job and goes on his roadtrip through mexico... but haven't made my way through the rest). thank you for supporting and excited to catch up soon <3
Your blog is resonating so much, Vinamrata ❤️ I'm also a journey with my perfectionism, career "pivoting," finding the right role(s) and org(s) for social impact and navigating the balance between scale and human connection/personal impact. Thank you for writing and being vulnerable!
Thank you for sharing. I remember Visakan of Introspect (https://visakanv.gumroad.com/l/introspect) wrote something similar about self improvement: when we put ourselves in a mindset where we have to improve to some ideal state, you open yourself to self contempt, and that is far more damaging than the self improvement itself.
Easy to say, harder to do. I'm working on this too. I'm glad you're adapting to your situation, and changing things when they're not working. Even if it doesn't work now, you'll find you'll adapt again and again. Excited to see what else you discover!
love this- thank you so much for sharing! and definitely: knowing that the answer is out there and i will get there is keeping me going, without getting too attached to any particular answer.
I believe you are on one of the most important journey in your life — finding yourself and experiencing the deepest of your inner feelings. I am going through the same and I just want to say that you are doing amazing and I look forward to seeing more of your pieces! I am also addicted to overachieving but it doesn’t mean anything if you lose yourself in the process! I support you fully!
Thank you Jasmine <3 so nice to see you here :) I read some of your articles and also admire the journey you've been on. Thank you for sharing and I'll be cheering along for you as well.
It was not easy for me to finish reading this but I know for sure couple of things about you and some things about life. 1. you did not do any mistake by taking a sabbatical and trying to find your self and your true passion. 2. you are a strong person and you will figure out things in due time.
as for life is concerned -1. we all have to undergo our struggles ourselves before we become that beautiful butterfly and not remain in the cocoon forever aka comfort zone 2. whatever does not kill us always makes us stronger.
so here are 3 cheers to you , Vinamrata Singal- we are proud of you.
this is all very true. thank you for reading and supporting, as always mom. despite whatever i'm experiencing rn, i'm only strong and resilient enough to get through it because of you.
Thanks for sharing. I'm transitioning from a software engineer to a math/CS teacher. I can relate having to tell people my story again and again. I don't miss work as much. However, I do miss a nice salary and all the wonderful colleagues. I also miss Google, my last employer, a lot. It's a great company.
I can't wait to read your posts.
Thank you Thuc. And wow, what a cool pivot! What made you decide to become a teacher vs engineer?
It's a long story but ever since I came to know about Teach for America, I've wanted to teach in disadvantaged communities. It was difficult to break from tech and the comfortable life that it afforded us. In the last couple of years I was experiencing symptoms of burnout and finding it harder and harder to go to work. So I figured it was time to pursue teaching. I'm going back to school next week to get a master in education and the credential to teach in CA. When school starts in the fall, I'll also be a resident teacher at a low-income high school in East San Jose, CA. If everything goes well, I'll be a full-time Math/CS teacher in the 2025-2026 school year.
That's amazing! Congrats on making the jump and committing to the path. I'm empathetic to how hard it is to leave something that seems good behind to do what you really love. Sending you all the positive energy! The kids will be lucky to have you as their teacher :)
Wait you finished the first draft of your novel!! And you ran a half marathon 😅 Vinamrata both those things alone are hugeeee accomplishments (and I know not alone on the list of things you’ve been doing). I wouldn’t worry about word count because I’m sure drafts only get longer in rewrites and this gives you space to expand whenever you do revise. Plus Christopher Nolan’s first movie came from a short story his brother wrote so I feel like your own that same trajectory. I am happy to see though your cutting your to do list and focusing in on a few key things. It’s so important! Thank you for sharing too. I feel like the addiction to achievement is a hard one to break, hence our love for the corporate structure and its inconsistent external validation.
<3 thank you for the support michelle- i really appreciate it! you're totally right that those are big deals. it's hard for me to celebrate these milestones because i know so many people who have done them (and more). but that's part of the work for me!
Hey Vinamrata, I’m so happy to come across this post! I’m in a similar situation — after an Amazon layoff last year I decided to spend a year+ traveling, and am now trying to figure out what’s next. I love that you dove into your sabbatical with so much intention; mine kind of formed as I went, especially realizing how burnt I was and how much my family’s / others expectations had controlled me. Looking forward to hearing how you piece your new career together as I work on doing the same!
Hey Zefan- thank you so much for reading this and checking out my article. I checked out some of your writing and love the blend of travel writing with open/honest conversations about your sabbatical. Looking forward to seeing how things evolve on your end!
Hope to see you at Locked In, I would love to have some more sabbatical writers join me over there!
Not sure what that is- will DM ya!
Hi Vinamrata! I have been really enjoying reading your journey, your exploration, and insights! So much resonates with me all the time, just know you have a lot of readers who feel kinship with you! (I too, come from a PM-adjacent background and have been on sabbatical, exploring more creative pursuits.)
I can't recall if you've mentioned The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron before, so excuse me if it has beem brought up to you or by you before, but I just wanted to chime in and recommend it! It has helped me immensely with tackling achieving/perfectionist/critical tendencies and focus on the joy and the process of creative work. The morning pages can be very therapeutic! Also, any resources showcasing the wisdom of Elizabeth Gilbert also help me when I start to spiral on my journey too, haha.
It takes so much faith and self-trust when you are facing the unknown, but you have shown so much wisdom, patience, and self-compassion to navigate all of it!
All my best wishes!
Hi Demi- lovely to e-meet you and thank you for dropping a comment. I'm glad that what I wrote resonated with you, and I really appreciate the kinship and comraderie that's come from this newsletter <3
Elizabeth Gilbert and Artists Way are great recommendations! Big Magic is definitely one of my favorite books.
Thank you for your vote of confidence in me- I'm excited to keep going on this path and see what comes out of it :) If I can be helpful in anyway as you explore your own journey, please don't be afraid to reach out. I can't promise to hop on a call, but I'm always happy to exchange thoughts over email.
"healing from overachievement" 🤍
love that you're honoring your intuition over calendar holds
hilariously, walking first thing in the morning is something I'd resisted for a long time and it's become a seamless part of my mornings now that I don't discipline myself to meditate and journal first thing. all about the surrender. different strokes for different folks – rooting for you!
if you haven't read Michael Singer's The Surrender Experiment, think you'd draw inspiration from it in trusting the unfolding
thanks for sharing cissy! i have skimmed singer's book (got to the part where he quits his job and goes on his roadtrip through mexico... but haven't made my way through the rest). thank you for supporting and excited to catch up soon <3
Your blog is resonating so much, Vinamrata ❤️ I'm also a journey with my perfectionism, career "pivoting," finding the right role(s) and org(s) for social impact and navigating the balance between scale and human connection/personal impact. Thank you for writing and being vulnerable!
thank you aashna. appreciate you supporting and following along!
Thank you for sharing. I remember Visakan of Introspect (https://visakanv.gumroad.com/l/introspect) wrote something similar about self improvement: when we put ourselves in a mindset where we have to improve to some ideal state, you open yourself to self contempt, and that is far more damaging than the self improvement itself.
Easy to say, harder to do. I'm working on this too. I'm glad you're adapting to your situation, and changing things when they're not working. Even if it doesn't work now, you'll find you'll adapt again and again. Excited to see what else you discover!
love this- thank you so much for sharing! and definitely: knowing that the answer is out there and i will get there is keeping me going, without getting too attached to any particular answer.
I believe you are on one of the most important journey in your life — finding yourself and experiencing the deepest of your inner feelings. I am going through the same and I just want to say that you are doing amazing and I look forward to seeing more of your pieces! I am also addicted to overachieving but it doesn’t mean anything if you lose yourself in the process! I support you fully!
Thank you Jasmine <3 so nice to see you here :) I read some of your articles and also admire the journey you've been on. Thank you for sharing and I'll be cheering along for you as well.
🙏