Last night, my son gave me a wake-up call that really hit home—and I felt compelled to share it.
I’ve always had a deep passion for teaching, and I’m currently studying Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) through a home study course. It’s something that excites me and aligns with who I truly am.
At the same time, I work as a GP receptionist. While the role offers flexible hours—which is a blessing with a teenage son at home—it’s starting to take a toll on my energy, especially now that I'm over 50. It’s becoming harder to keep up with the pace, and I find myself wondering how long I can (or should) keep going in this role.
Another layer to this is financial. I want to increase my pension and improve my financial future, and I’m aware that staying in a draining job might not be the best long-term strategy. So now I’m questioning whether I should start looking for another job—perhaps something less exhausting but still flexible—and consider TEFL as a side hustle, at least for now.
It’s not an easy decision, but I know I can’t ignore this inner push for change. And my son, in his own way, reminded me last night that it’s never too late to start aligning my work with my passion and purpose.