I'm a chubby disgruntled slightly older disabled black woman. I don't like anyone but my husband, but I just LOVE you. You are the real deal. This video should be the framework for your RUclips career. I Love and am obsessed with the design too, but I crave the honesty about everything else in life. Keep it strictly brutal and kind just like you do.
I don’t think you have quit your acting/ comedy career. You just changed the stage. And we love it! ❤️ Thank you for being bold to be your true self online! The world is drowning in fakeness, it’s refreshing and empowering to watch someone authentic. 🙏👏
Agreed Everything online has been so fake it’s hard to tell what’s real I find myself only watching people like Caroline who are genuine and authentic. I’ve been unfollowing and unsubscribing a lot lately
I’m an 82 year old woman. I really enjoyed this video. I admire what you have been able to accomplish with your life so far. I grew up in a time when women always worried about what other people think of them. Did we wear too much makeup or clothes too flashy for example. I gradually decided that I didn’t care what others thought. My motto became to quote the great First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, “no one can make you feel inferior without your consent “. Words to live by
and there is another saying that goes like: don't you care about what other people say, because the ones that mater don't care and the ones that care don't mater. or something like that... please correct me. i don't know who said this originally.
Caroline, I am a registered nurse. When I tell people how unhappy I am, they brush it off. “But, you worked so hard to get there!” Blatantly ignoring what I’m telling them. I needed to see this video! I am not giving up nursing, completely; but, I am actively exploring other careers so that I do not have to work full-time at the hospital! Love your videos!!
Amen! I worked my ARSE OFF trying to eek a living out of making and selling art. After I finally realized it was making me miserable on every level and that I was starting to hate art, I looked into what was the least creative thing I could do and got a paralegal certificate. Working with the egos of lawyers was difficult, but nowhere near as constantly infuriating as dealing with gallery owners and the egos of other artists, not to mention curators, buyers, and every single person who has ever even looked at a piece of art having an opinion about your work and what it should or shouldn’t mean. I’ve been told by my family and some of my friends that I’m a failure and that I’ve “given up on my dreams,” and they don’t have to live in my skin, so I stopped explaining and taking on their subtle and not so subtle insults. Edit: I did work in healthcare admin also, and dealing with the egos of doctors was MUCH worse than lawyers or people in the art world combined, so I went back to paralegal work.
Interesting! I’ve worked for lawyers and with doctors (and am a doctor) and I find lawyers much worse. But perhaps it’s their ethics I object to. Doctors have the mental burden of the expectations of their work. Lawyers have more control over their choices in what they do and I’ve seen a lot of them default to what makes the most money. Many care a lot less about their clients than doctors do about their patients. But why I’m commenting is to express gratitude for people admitting how much they hated jobs in clinical care. Not sure the reasons for you guys, and not sharing my reasons - it’s just that when we’re in “helping” fields like this, we can take a LOT of flack for not somehow *wanting* to sacrifice ourselves for the well being of literally everyone who comes our way. People don’t realize it’s still a JOB and can suck your life and your soul. What many seem to think is that we should be self sacrificial and care only about others well-being - heaven forbid you have your own pain/conditions or mental health challenges or other problems equal to theirs - and if you dare to admit in life that you don’t enjoy the job or are unhappy, you’re often judged as selfish or mean. Sorry, not sorry, but patients can be as entitled and neurotic as “customers” (who are NOT “always right”) but somehow it’s unacceptable to stand up for yourself in a healing field. I for one don’t dream of labor and sacrifice being what I spend most of my week on.
I love nurses. They give so much, and get treated as extras on a movie set. Doctors give orders, but nurses actually deliver your care. Real and grounded, but disrespected even by their significant other. Can't blame you for making changes.
“If you find the unhappiness and the weight of that job carrying into your evening, your weekends, your relationships, it sounds like it’s time to make a change” 🤯👏🏻
Well it’s 2 years later and I’m coming back to the video that started it all! I quit my job and I’m finally pivoting into something I only ever dared to dream of doing 😅 wish me luck 🍀
This should be required viewing for college students. Truly. At 21 I thought success meant the top job title. Now, at 34, I realize success is being fulfilled by multiple areas in life, and my standards of happiness are different from others’.
"Success" is directly and proportionally related to the individual pursuing it. Success is merely achieving the goal set out in advance. What that goal is and how to define if it is achieved depends solely on the individual. Success is not what others think of your accomplishments. Only you are the one that approves the outcome as such.
@@tracy_cakkes I'm 18 yo rn, any advice about college and education in general? Idk what I want do study or even worse I don't know what I want to my life:/ there's a lot of possibilities and idk what I want to become.
I like the way you qualified your rant, because it so depends on what you want to do, your personality and ability to do all the research you talked about and confidence to present yourself well. Some people just have the ability to figure out how to make things happen better than others. I’ve seen lots of college students just sleepwalking through school and sometimes they’re just not ready to be there. You brought up some important points, the work world today is very different and requires a different attitude. I loved when you talked about being bold, in whatever you do that’s critical snd certainly easier when 36:30 you’re younger. I really enjoy your attitude and channel, maybe because I’m originally a New Yorker 😁.
"Diversify your fulfillment." Joy being informed by a close walk with depression and pain. WOW woman, this is some seriously amazing, hard hitting life stuff. THANK YOU. I needed it 🙌🏼
I just found your channel yesterday, and it is one of the best things to happen to me in quite a while. It would be great if I could actually articulate why that is at this time. So, for now, I’ll sub, and when the right words come to me, I’ll toss them into a well thought out comment which will not read like a book!
You are so right about the degree scam. When I was in high school, we had a program called co-op. This was for kids (girls) who were interested in being a secretary, bookkeeper, etc. They took business classes half the day then worked an office job the rest of the day. Now to get a decent secretarial or business support staff job, you have to have a degree! It's insane! Jobs that do not, by any stretch of the imagination, require a four year degree now expect it. Gah!!!
As a 58 year old woman who finally walked away from the banking world because I had nothing left to give, I just want to say, “Good job figuring this out at a young age. Pat yourself on the back”. It can be difficult getting traction when you are trying to build something new, but it sounds like you are on the verge of being able to cut back on the long hours soon. Be sure to make that move as soon as you can, your health is so important.
Cheers to you! I’m a 55-yr-old man who walked away from the world of construction management. Didn’t realize how much or for how long I truly hated it. Should have taken that step 20 years ago, but no sense regretting it now. Time to make the most of what is left. I’ve been pondering starting my own RUclips channel, but not sure what I would do.
I was just laid off from a job I was miserable in and as a result I found myself in a better place emotionally than I've been in my whole life. This video is exactly what I needed. Thank you!
It was a tremendous relief. It has taken many months for the exhaustion to dissipate. I have so much gratitude to God that I don’t have to go back. Banking is a very high stress job. Government regulations, bank rules, employee shortages, customers who don’t understand what is really going on, constant rule/law changes etc. is a lot to stay on top of.
I'm old enough to be your mom, but you've taught me lessons that I wished I had learned at your age. You literally can save people's lives through your vlog - glad you had the wisdom to jump in the RUclips pool. Hope that you have found more life balance since this video - I just discovered you so I'm still catching up :)
It’s interesting when you talk about diversifying fulfillment. I never thought about that. I’m in between jobs right now and I’ve been working as a hostess at a restaurant for a year. Before working there I thought “oh no, this is not a glamorous job, this might suck” but it doesn’t. I’ve realized it is absolutely an avenue of fulfillment for me. I love the people I work with, I’m good at the job, and I’m able to interact with people in my community. Once I accepted this and pushed into this feeling of fulfillment, I became happier and felt more balanced everywhere else
I love to hear that. There are so many ways to feel joy, stability and safety in life. I guess I believe that we all need a combo. Same as different friends bring different dynamics to our life..
I’m a singer who recently got over 21 million streams and had a song on new music friday Uk. The shocking part is how it felt like nothing. I realized in this last year that I don’t want this as bad as I once did. It was like losing a loved one. I really feel like this video was meant for me. Thank you for your bravery, intelligence and honesty. You really spoke to me.
@@borednow aren't you aware that there other music platforms other than RUclips, like Spotify and Apple Music. She didn't specifically mention RUclips alone.
I think the script needs flipping.. it’s not quitting, it’s realising that you’ve outgrown your current situation, or realising that it’s not right for you, and moving on. It doesn’t need to be seen as a negative. Love your videos by the way, relatable and funny ☺️
@@Caroline_Winkler it really is isn’t it. I’ve just realised also, from watching this video to that I’ve always believed, from parents and society that I need to have one full time job/ career, but that always felt quite suffocating and daunting. I felt bad up until now for working part time and wanting to have a small business on the side, but I’ve now just realised that choosing this path is more secure, interesting, better for my mental health and more fulfilling. Thank you Caroline. Keep doing what you’re doing! ❤️
@@louizianna80 The system is "designed" (or at least kept in a status quo) to "reward" a certain "risk". Many professions and jobs provide quite some illusion of safety and guarantees. This is true to a certain point of expectations we have about our work life. But where is the money? The money is on the side of what is worth taking a certain risk. Making the risk smaller is what @Caroline Winkler is talking about here. An employer is simply taking the risk of employing people to do things the employer is not capable of doing or doesn't have the time for. If the risk is low, so will be the reward. But if something is hard to do, it probably is worth doing it.
I was also thinking about this just now! I quit a job that had once been the PERFECT job for me…but then, after a few years, it wasn’t. And…I think that’s okay. I’m glad I left.
This is the first "quitting your job" advice that didn't make me feel like throwing up from anxiety. Thank you for being real and more importantly, specific. ❤ 🙏
This is so incredible to hear! I recently left my ICU nursing job, where everyone would regularly tell me “oh you’re so incredible! It takes such a special person to handle COVID nursing, especially in ICU. This is such a calling!” And honestly I left because I could not handle being paid pennies to care for dying people every single day. I had so much self worth tied up in the way people thought of me because I was a critical care nurse but ultimately I was just worried what people would think. I ended up going into medical research and while it has its issues, my salary more than doubled and I am feeling so fulfilled in this new position. Thank you for this video!
@@SR-mv2mf Nah... The hospitals or care centers depend too much on the moral obligatory side of the profession from nurses. It's actually mental and spiritual extortion in a lot of places. Yes, somebody got to do it. But at what cost? And how to keep it sustainable so nurses don't burn out? So many professionals are being paid under the value that is provided by their efforts, it's making me sick. The whole hierarchy of the system is wonky. Football or baseball players get a lot of money just to entertain, while critical capacities like nurses get underpaid for their value. Managers, directors and CEO's get a lot of moolah just for delegating orders to subordinates. They get paid for the accomplishments of others, but will never take the heat if things go south. Etc. Sorry for my rant.
The way you describe your acting career was true for me as a teacher. Last year was my first year as a licensed, classroom teacher in my dream job. This was after 10 years (dropped out twice, worked in education, went back and got my degree). I resigned last April. I love teaching but my quality of life was ground to a pulp. My health, my husband, and son were all coming dead last. It was so hard to leave. I know how lucky I am to have been supported by my husband. Now I’m launching a private tutoring and lessons business, putting myself out there as a freelance writer, and substitute teaching. I’m constantly anxious but it’s far more tolerable than the deep, dark place I was in a year ago. Meanwhile, I am also helping support my husband build his career in coding/programming and he is currently working on a big job change. It has been such a challenging time for us, not to mention as parents of a 2-year-old and as new homeowners, but knowing others who have made the jump to reject the cookie cutter career paths is very reaffirming. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your story.
I didn't make it through my first year of teaching. I had a similar situation, had been working in the schools and field of education for years. Finally got all the required education and absolutely hated being a classroom teacher. I felt so much shame, leaving my students before the year was up, but I was not able to maintain my integrity in that school, in that role with the work load I had. In the end I believe I was causing harm, working from such a depleted place and so bewildered, that I was miserable. Harm to myself and harm ultimately to my students. It's not the kids, not the families, it's the adults. The lack of support, the administrators playing weird control ego games, wore me out. Congratulations on finding your way.
I also quit teaching last year after about 10 years. I realized that while COVID was the breaking point, if I was being really honest with myself, it wasn't ever really a good fit for me even though there were a lot of things I loved about it. Good luck to you in your transition!
I am a dancer living in New York City. I’ve come to the realization that I might want and need to do something else with my life. This video came at the perfect time✨ Thank you for your honesty!!
I’m proud of you for realizing that while you’re still young! It’s never to late and no matter how difficult it might seem it is all possible! You never know what God has in store for you on your way to where you think you are going. Enjoy the journey.
Aah man I couldn't relate to you more! I'm 29, I quit the film industry and it was so. damn. hard. but now I'm pursuing interior design! The film industry was 100% my identity, never being able to visit my family or hang out with friends was fine because I had this cool job everyone thought was awesome. People were always so impressed when I said "I work in film" it was a little buzz of reassurance even though I knew I was dying inside. Honestly even now when I say "I used to work in film" and people respond with "oh wow" "oh my gosh what did you work on?" "did you meet celebrities?!" my eye twitches a little and it makes me want to throw my shoe. I went through 6 months of shame fuelled depression, further fuelled by way too much wine. I couldn't shake the failure blues, it really messed with me. But by gosh when I came out of it, it was the most freeing thing ever to realise it doesn't freakin' matter that I didn't want to keep doing it. I did a big corny life values and goals list and realised that almost none of them were going to be possible to obtain with 70+ hour work weeks in a hectic, unforgiving industry located away from my loved ones. I fortunately love interiors, and yet still completely agree in finding fulfilment over LOVE and in taking a god damn break or quitting when we need to. We need to as a society find a way to value personal values and enjoyment so that changing course is natural and supported, but heck that's getting into a huge kettle of fish I'm not qualified to delve into. In the meantime, this video helped so much, thanks Caroline.
Oh man I am LIVING this right now. I’m 25 and just decided I’m at my wits end with commercial film production. The prestige and oohs and aahs of people kept me going because I wanted that pedigree. But with a recent fibromyalgia diagnosis and crippling anxiety, I’ve realized I can’t continue to try and make myself fit into this lifestyle I am growing to despise. I have no idea what I’m going to do now, beyond working at a friends coffee shop. And I’m ok with that for the time being. Wishing you the best in your new path!!
@@mallorymaxton5638 yessss mate well done. It's so hard to get out of it's such a fun and addictive industry haha but more then that it's pretty toxic and so freaking life consuming. A lot of the people in it are kind of mad with hierarchy power and it can mess up your health with how much they overwork us all. You've made a good move! Good luck to you too you're going to do great at whatever comes next keep following your gut :)
this is me right now, 30 and in tv production. Haven't worked for the last few months and getting desperate but also dreading getting another gig. very confused and very down about it.
Totally here for the "STUDENT LOANS ARE A SCAM" conversation. Again, not all degrees are worthless, but going into debt for a career that has a base salary that won't cover your student loan payment is not a good idea. If you must go try a community college first and invest time in looking for internships and fellowships. Actual experience trumps degree.
If your profession doesn't require math or law, I think a trade school or learning on the job is sufficient. But I'd consider this to be failure of teachers/guidance counselors. Also, as an Econ major, I find it shocking that money management is not taught in high school. It's one of the most valuable life skills anyone can learn and it is needed to assess whether or not it is worth spending money on a degree, a car, a mortgage, a stock.
As a community college educator, I wish more folks could recognize the value in that. Here in California, it’s a very low cost education that provides great value. So many of the programs are going to set you up for a good career or going to university. My specific college is one of the best in the nation and if you apply for financial aid you might pay $1,000 or less a year for excellent education. Don’t need to be dirt poor to get financial aid either. The Career Center gets students great internships. Leave with a degree and job experience. ✨🙌🏽
As a community college educator, I wish more folks could recognize the value in that. Here in California, it’s a very low cost education that provides great value. So many of the programs are going to set you up for a good career or going to university. My specific college is one of the best in the nation and if you apply for financial aid you might pay $1,000 or less a year for excellent education. Don’t need to be dirt poor to get financial aid either. The Career Center gets students great internships. Leave with a degree and job experience. ✨🙌🏽
Thank you for this video. I quit my job 2 weeks ago. I’m 50. It was my “dream job” and…. My boss hated me. So yes- I cried at home and then at work a lot. And that was it. Enough. So now I’m looking hard for a new life. It’s terrifying at this age.
I'm 35. I have a bfa in interior architecture. I spent the last 8 years in retail selling furniture making great money and absolutely hated it. I finally accomplished what I needed to money wise (no debt) and quit my job. I took 7 months off to reset. Now back in my field as a drafter/designer for an interior design firm and I am so happy. I never wanted an Masters as I didn't think it was necessary in my field, but my bachelors was. I worked hard to pay off my loans and I don't regret a thing! Stay focused and appreciate the moments your life feels "off course" that's when you grow the most.
I feel these rants to my bones! High schools DO NOT help kids to figure out their futures and what job options are out there. Degrees these days can be bypassed in some instances if you get job experience that show you don't need a piece of paper to understand and be good at the job.
As a hs teacher, we can't! I'm in TX and there were so many bills passed recently where we can't go off script. But tbh, I might just accidentally show this video during advisory 👀
I really appreciate how honest you are about this topic. I am 20 years old and just dropped out of college because it was not the right thing for me and I was the most unhappy I had ever been in my life. My parents were extremely upset with me but I knew it was the right choice for me in my own life. Since dropping out I have found a job that I love and I am happier than I have been in a long time. It is really reassuring to hear similar stories about this topic because I don’t think people talk about it enough, so thank you.
Good for you! College is as overrated as it is overpriced. It’s a racket. Go to college when you’re at least 25 and are damn sure it’s necessary and what you want.
I just retired from high school counseling. I CONSTANTLY told students do what YOU want to do because ‘you’re the one that has to live with the life you create!’ You can go to college later if you feel the need to or find the job or career that requires it. Do you! You’re parents will just have to get over it. Be yourself - everyone else is taken!
I’m glad I found your video. I’m almost 30 and have only worked retail. I had gotten my cosmetology license but never did anything with it because I realized I hated it. I’m a hard worker but I get burned out to the point where I just can’t go anymore. I honestly think something is wrong with me. I have no hobbies or money making interest whatsoever. I feel really lost and feel a lot of self hatred. I still don’t know what I want to do but I do know what I don’t want to do. Your kind and words were valuable.
I so feel this 100%. You could try using the knowledge you have and have others pay you for it. That’s what I am doing now. I was in sales and now I’m teaching others how to sell. ♥️♥️
Wow I got my cosmetology liscense too and realized I hate it when I went to work at a salon. I can relate to everything you said. I'm so lost as well with no hobbies.
@@ngeee10 ........omg same. Ive had it for 10 years, still maintain it but never used it. Lost as well and reaching 30. Good to know us girlies really arent all that alone
I worked as teacher for 5 years and then quit to become self employed after realizing I wasn't happy. I had so many people tell me I was making a mistake, that I was being a selfish mother, that I was going to fail. I didn't listen to them because I knew that I was working towards something that was going to give me the life I wanted which was freedom to do what I wanted. Fast forward 4 years and I am currently running a business that supports my lifestyle while being available to my children whenever I need to be. Point being, I agree with everything you said.
Wow, thanks for sharing your inspiring experiences! I quit teaching and am struggling to pivot in a new direction, and especially to deal with the judgment of others! However, I know deep in my gut this is the right move and that in the long run it will be worth giving it a shot. Otherwise, I don't believe I would have enough time to be the kind of wife and mother I would like to be one day!
What I would've given for this SOLID advice before I went to college at age 19. You're girl Caroline is spot on - take it from someone who is now 38 and been through a handful of careers as well.
Thank you for putting all of my thoughts into a well rounded 41 minutes and 19 seconds. I can relate to EVERY. SINGLE. THING. said in this video. For context, I quit my corporate job in downtown Denver in 2019, moved to New Zealand and started Dairy Farming, now I live in Australia and work as a Party Planner....I was viewed as a quitter (and insane) to my corporate coworkers for giving up my secure 9-5, but I am more fulfilled in life now then I ever was (it was by no means easy but worth it)....I'll step off my soap box now. Thank you for this
I am 45 and am on my 4th (5th?) career and finally feel seen. I typically get so much criticism or get the label of a "job hopper" or "flighty" but I want to want to freely move with life's experiences. Also, as a person with a master's in a social science with one of those careers being in higher ed, agreed. We need to bust the system. Good for you for finding a way! Thanks for externally validating me today!
I took classes at our local community college for interior design. Only needed 6 classes plus 1 elective (I took Sketchup and an extra one for home staging) to get a certificate and it was less than $1,000. The last few were online because of the ‘demic, but I enjoyed all of them! My favorites were technical drawing, home staging and construction basics.
I'm all for avoiding university at all costs as well. I was very fortunate to have my first degree paid for, then worked a crappy job in healthcare and then decided I wanted to go into tech. My determination to never waste my time and money at university was probably the only reason I was successful at self teaching. All that uni debt for a job you may or may not end up liking is a huge risk.
I was caught in a downsizing recently and at 61 I am realizing I need to find some real fulfillment finally. It was always career advancement, family, kids, alimony that kept me working as a Petroleum Engineer, Investment Banker, CFO but not having much joy. So today I’m designing and building houses! Appears in Oklahoma you can do it without an architecture degree!
Oh my garsh we have so many parallels. My previous dream/identity was singer songwriter and quitting that took years to recover from(like a bad breakup) then I went into tech/marketing eight years ago and genuinely liked it thennnn got burnt out in 2019…always wanted to start a YT channel but waited.. TWO more years!! 😂 Started my channel 9 mos ago and am honestly shocked to make money from this. It sounds cheesy but I feel like im living my purpose 🤷🏽♀️ combines all my passions and have never been more fulfilled. Anyhoo there’s my novel😄 your videos are brilliant, so glad you popped up in my feed!!💕💕
I’ve been a singer songwriter all my life and I’m 72 and seriously wondering why I ever pursued it. Maybe I just did it for too long. Must take a look at what you’re doing🌹🌹🌹
You forced me to drop-kick my attitude out the door. I wasn't sure someone your age could reveal anything I hadn't seen after 40 years of work. I was dead wrong, and I will be watching this video again. Footnote: I, too, suffer from severe depression and have always been aware of death, while others don't seem to acknowledge it at all.
I’m 26 and I’m so miserable with my life that I’ve used relationships as coping mechanisms. I’ve never had a relationship longer than one year, and the most recent one ended super tragically. Your videos are giving me the big sister advice and reality check I need. Thank you 🙏🏼
It's very difficult for women to have it all, unless they're prepared to bring up their children alone, despite what their divorced and/or childless colleagues may claim. It's not too late for you, but I'm afraid good quality parents quickly find one another early on in their relationship careers and invest their time and energy maintaining their relationship. You're probably dating guys that have little interest in family life and children until they're are older, which isn't too good for you.
You spoke so much truth my eyes watered. What you called “Diversified Fulfillment” (love that name btw) is what I called “Plan B” because I learned the hard way when I was widowed at 22 with two children. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN B in all facets of your life. Go you!!!
Speaking as a former career counselor and someone who has changed careers, all of her advice is seriously on point. Really appreciate her putting this video out.
Never, ever quit a job unless you have an emergency fund. Period. I think a minimum of three month's worth of income. A year's worth would be much better. That said. I wish I had quit m y job. Instead, I had a STROKE at my job. No job is worth frying half your body and brain. This is a great video. Probably your best one. I so agree about career counseling. I have a masters degree and still have no idea what I should do with my life. It's a little late now. I'm 58.
Im 51, and it’s only been in the past 3 years that I realized that my Fulfillment can not and does not come from one source, not from my friends, family or my man, I know that I can consistently count on myself with sprinkles of the other three sources 🥰
"your time and your energy are finite". I cannot belive somebody said that. Thank you! By the way, regarding your "angry tone". It does not sound for me neither aggresive nor angry, but just passionate and emotional. And honestly I like it.
Excellent, Caroline! Good advice to those who are smart enough to truly hear you! I taught school, realized it wasn't enough for todays kids, and became a child/adolescent psychologist. Ok, rewarding. But..yes, the inevitable burnout came. Now, back to selling antiques. Real ones, not kitch, or dirty old tin cans. You'll ❤️do fine- with your determination, or "anger" at rampant stupidity, you'll stand out, not blend in. Any idiot can do THAT!! Admire you greatly- keep on steppin!! 💥
@@Caroline_Winkler Anytime, Caroline! From what l see, l have great expectations of you. Not in a pressury (yeah, not a word,l know) way, but in simple truth! 💥Not just with steppin'- some days you just gotta go stompin' instead!! 💥
“Consider the source” regarding the opinions of others is deceptively simple but its one of the most brilliant pieces of advice you could give anyone! So important.
The angry montage was EVERYTHING. Honestly, every montage you make is absolute gold. I have also changed careers several times (and am currently doing it again) before age 35 and this advice is dead on. Also, I cannot believe that Shakespeare Was A Woman was written by your sister!!! aka I didn't make that connection when I saw it in my library. So cool. The Winklers are an accomplished bunch :)
Youre a breath of fresh air….intelligent, thoughtful, articulate, raw honest, so helpful to others especially your age group. I’m 75. I want to tell you that might life experience has taught me all that you already know. And I love your sense of what’s beautiful and functional. Thank you!
The fulfillment diversity is great message. I had one passion, art and fashion. Switched from teaching to fashion industry around 30. Now 20+ years in, i still love it, but yes layoffs will happen! I'm skilled, proficient etc, but----started diversifying. Got a masters degree & started an industrial design art project. NO ID experience. Important part is its a bit scary to diversify! but worth it. Good advice on this, Caroline!
I don't think you have anger problems... if anything, I think you're just actually more tuned in to all of your emotions INCLUDING anger and it makes people uncomfortable because they suppress their feelings. Your channel helped me embrace my negative emotions because I see you do it and you serve as a role model for me.
Thank you, Caroline! I really needed to hear that it is about working to live not living to work. I have found myself continually chasing the next big career opportunity to the detriment of my relationships. Also, cracked up when you said " You're 65, you're about to get cancer". It is morbid but kinda true. :)
You talk so well! Your narratives, confidence and expression are the result of your acting training. You didn’t quit acting, you are script-less improv acting! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
What a beautifully honest and vulnerable video. You made me laugh, cry and contemplate. At 50 can totally relate, except I wish I had the self love and forgiveness you have at 30. I totally feel f@k that sh!t now, but not at 30. Good for you!!
I'm 21 years old, studying electrical engineering and have failed like 20/26 of my classes, my anxiety for the past 3 years has affected me in so many ways and I can not imagine myself happy or financially stable any time in the near future. Hearing your struggles and seeing in what a good place you're right now really motivates me, thank you so much for this video❤
Caroline, I am 27 now and it is inspiring to see that you ultimately decided that it was a necessity to change things up around that time in your life too. To see you on the other side of it flourishing is REALLY helpful. I just finished my graduate degree and left feeling like I wasted my time with a pile of debt when I initially thought it'd be this enriching and connecting experience. I am currently trying to turn that regret into fuel to go do something better for myself and my future. Keep videos like this going, it is SO helpful.
I am 55 years old and only just coming to realize what you just put out here. I have just binge watched several hours of your channel, and I have thoroughly enjoyed your content. Keep up the great work! It feels great to reinvent yourself, doesn't it?
I have had more than 50 jobs, everything from mixing cement for a mason to finance, advertising and writing code, four were with three different military entities, soldier, airman and electrician with the Navy. Better pay, curiosity and boredom are the main reasons. Been places and done things that most people never experience in a whole lifetime. Experienced most of Europe, seen how people live in third world countries, flown through the Bermuda Triangle. Been frozen on mountains, baked on deserts. Made more friends than money. Acquaintances is perhaps a better word. Still, I find you and your stories fascinating. Self-reliance and independence are key. Forget what others think, they are not you and it's none of their business. Don't live with regret based in other people's opinions and perceptions. You will make many of your own. Most people don't have the courage to break out, seek adventures, try something new. Security and complacency. So, perceived opinions of others generally hold them down. They never really live, just go through the expected motions. You know stuff. My mantra is girls know stuff. This is why I love your channel, and you are also gorgeous with little and no makeup. Love your eye for design, judging by your home, especially the slightly angled mirror over the fireplace.
UX is interior design for the virtual world. I only recently found your videos Christine and love your work. Your therapeutic understanding of humans and your grasp of beauty and function in use and appreciation of space isn't something you can necessarily get with a degree. Thank you for sharing your joy and honest opinions.
This is so real! Thank you for sharing. I had the same thing with music....was doing all the right things to break in and i just looked up one day and said, this is not for me. Had been on TV, had connections with record labels, blah blah... It just wasn't the path for me. It's okay to change! Thank you again for sharing!
I did a six-month boot camp at UT Austin with Trilogy’s curriculum and got my job in site reliability in just two years working in tech. It’s a great foundation for getting started. You are not going to become a Data architect overnight, but you can get started in a position that you will like and you can move up from there. You don’t need a degree if you’re not looking to break ground on new technologies. Sometimes it’s just great to be able to work.
Caroline, I really fuck with your vibe and your perspective on things. I’m in my 30s and making changes and feel so freaked out by the structural differences. You’re amazing. Ty!
So glad I found this. Thank you thank you thank you. ❤ I’m 25 and figuring out where I’m at after several years of processing some challenging life/family stuff. What a stupid myth I’ve sold myself that it’s “too late” to explore, evolve and just try. Thank you for reminding all of us how life is a constant journey of change and readjustment in pursuit of what fulfils us - 20s, 30s, 80s, whenever.
Came for the interior design, stayed for videos like this. And the interior design. And the vlogs. ♥️ I’m 30 now and somewhat figured out my life but god I wish I could’ve watched this during/after college.
So glad you found me Paul! And I’m so glad something in here resonated. It’s definirelt lifelong journey of “figuring it out” for me. Just trying to take the discoveries as they come ❤️
I'm in my 60s and have had 4 distinctly difference careers, and 3 of my own businesses, all profitable. My goal is always to have freedom and flexibility while also making $$. No matter what, you DO have to work. Because as an entrepreneur, you quickly learn that the more you work, the more you can make. And, it's hardly ever 'enough' that you stop putting in hours. You are super fun to watch, and very creative and clever. Keep it going! I do, however, think a lot of young people believe vlogging is easy and a way to make huge money. Reality is, very few people make enough money to substitute it for a career...few people have the personality and the drive to make it work. Another example I've been watching and loving is Arvin Olano.
I love that there’s no b.s. in how you present yourself. You remind me of my best friend from high school, Tonya, whom I love because she is 1,000% herself and I can be 1,000% myself with her. You have that same kind of energy. It’s comforting.
I actually went into tech without experience too. I was living and working in a very tight knit farming community and was getting tired of the rut I found myself in. So I did a programming bootcamp for 6 month, just to do something completely else for a change. The day I finished, a friend offered me a job and I took it. I don't love it like I love making and sharing art or taking care of animals, but I enjoy how it tickles my brain. I can switch the ''code-mode'' on and off, unlike my creative pursuits or the animals and children I used to be responsible for.
Omg I needed this! As an actress giving it my all for years putting my life on hold was hard. I became very unhappy but also felt a lot of shame about my thoughts of quitting. Thank you for this beautiful video.
This was so cathartic to listen to! I left a career in ballet during the pandemic and I relate so much to your story. There is freedom at rock bottom. It gets better. There's so much life on the other side of that dream job. Thanks, Caroline!
As a creative-- classical musician/orchestral-choral conductor, I feel the same way about coding! I love how structured it is, and its finality. I also like that you get immediate satisfaction when your code works, while the creative goals are more nebulous and long-term. Love your content!
I'm a translator and I feel like I get the best of both worlds: it's structured and has finality to it, but it also allows for creativity (well, it depends on the assignment, but generally, yes).
I’m a coder too, but I think we shouldn’t sugarcoat coding. It feels good when it works, but when it doesn’t, there’s a lot of anxiety involved. I find myself putting in a lot of extra hours when stuff doesn’t work. There is quite a bit of stress that no one seems to talk about. If I could do life all over, I’d be a doctor. There’s a reason doctors are so confident, the human body doesn’t change, so they just keep improving at their job.
I'll leave the lengthy comments to more eloquent people, but just thank you for this. makes so many of us feel less alone! I've realized fulfillment > passion when it comes to work. My job is a way for me to have the time, money, resources, etc. to enjoy my friends, hobbies, etc. u r the bees knees, caroline!
Thank you for voicing so much of my internal struggle! I am a professional actor who did the New York thing for 5 years and when I realized New York wasn’t serving me anymore, I decided to leave to work at a regional theatre as my job. I was moving away to be paid a salary to do what I love but I still felt like an immense failure. I told only 5 people I was permanently leaving. For years I pretended like I was splitting time between the city and my new locale. I felt so much shame for not taking the track of my peers and was so concerned about what people would think or say. It wasn’t until recently (3 years later) where I became secure in my decision and I am happy with my life and the choices I’ve made. I get to have a great life now that just looks different than I thought it would and that’s okay. Thank you for your thoughtful, funny, and helpful videos. I love them all from vlogs to interior design to life chats. Keep up the amazing work!
You have so much wisdom. I admire your strength and willingness to share your story with us. It comes at a time I really needed to hear this, as I haven’t had much support from the people around me. I was always alone. I was an art dealer in my 20s in New Orleans. I was a research analyst in my 30s in nyc and Miami. I was a teacher in Europe in my 40s, and now at 53 I’ve gone full circle to being an art gallerist again (or at least on my way there,… I just resigned from my teaching job and am looking at my options….) Change can be terrifying, but I’ve always followed my heart career wise…. I have no regrets, other than caring too much what other people thought about me and my choices. But like you say, F them, it’s our life. You’re awesome and I love you. Xx
This video flew by, didn't even feel like 40 min. I'm going through a career change now at 30. I just left healthcare as a Lab Tech and I'm getting into an IT field. I'm super excited. Small company, wfh, and I'll be able to spend more time with my baby after she's born this December. I feel like I've finally started to figure things out. It's more money too.
I'm a career counselor and I really appreciate this video! I love the phrase "diversified fulfillment.". And I think you have a great perspective on taking the salary cut. This is probably the biggest hurdle many of my clients face. They want to leave their job and start a new career but expect that they are going to start at the same pay level. That rarely can happen... especially if you spent 20+ years in the field increasing your wages and responsibilities.
wow wow wow what a rollercoaster. I started watching your videos for interior design tips, stayed for the slightly-manic-but-holding-it-together finger zoom humor, and am now learning that we both had similar career experiences. I also just switched careers into software development at 28! Thanks for teaching this dude to appreciate lamps and curtains 🤙🏻
just my simple thinking, software developer is truly suite for man. dont get me wrong, it is bcz i am in my crisis identity haha :") i am at 29 now and thinking to switch out from developer job. as asian woman, i cant imagine if i have to code everyday if i have kids then. and idk how could i dont have any hobby lol, and i already spend my years in this field. curious how is my future makes me dizzy 😅
What a great video! I haven’t related to a topic(s) and/or person like this in a while. Thank you for being so real and vulnerable. And I’m just going to put it out there…I would like to be your friend. We are already friends (in my head) so just go with it! 😜 Keep up the good work!! Love you!! ❤️
Thank you for sharing. My husband is a CS professor at a college, but he would love your story of entering the coding world. He has a lot of respect for those boot camps. Way to go, Caroline!!!! I hired an interior decorator years ago who was 70. She retired from being an administrative assistant at 65 and took classes to learn interior decorating. She was perfect for me since I did not have a budget of thousands of dollars to spend and just wanted color and finishing touches advice. Keep at it Caroline!!!! A lot of people need someone like you.
Caroline, you held my attention for the entire video. It was so interesting to hear your experiences with career changes. I give you so much credit for being so genuine and transparent. I took away so much, and I’m sure other viewers did as well. I am a fairly new subscriber, and you have quickly become one of my favorite You Tubers to watch. I couldn’t wait to open up this video! It sounds like you have made the right choices for yourself. You are inspiring!! Keep the videos coming! Btw, where is your dress (or top) from? It is adorable!
Ms. universe had me watch this video so I could CALM TF down about my career! From one Washingtonian to another, thank you for the honesty and insights! Question, as a small business person, how do you determine how much to charge people for your services? I feel like my people-pleasing tendencies would kick in and I would end up frantically apologizing and paying people to use my services 😅
Same here. It's impossible to read people when trying to bid jobs. You try to be nice and being reasonable and they act like your price is outrageous. Then you think you are bidding a job too much and they say that's it? Wow that's so much lower than the other bids we got! And you feel dumb . It's so hard to read people to find a price you think they will be happy with! It's tough!
I just found you this weekend when I was trying to Marie Kondo my sewing room and I just love you! Thank you for sharing this. I have been a potter for 10 years and have been feeling so much angst about making money for someone else this whole time and having little to show for myself. I’m in the process of trying to figure out how to make a shift and do something for myself and it’s hard, emotional, and scary! I appreciate your insights. Thank you 😊
I’m new to this channel and after watching one of your interior design videos, I feel like this one came into my life at just the right time. I related so heavily to much of what you said. I’ve been in that darkness and felt that fear and shame of quitting. I’ve taken way too much bad advice from people who hate their lives and are beginning to live when they’re old. I’ve waited 25 years of my life, holding my breath, waiting to just find happiness and living in despair. It’s time to make a change. Thank you Caroline. You definitely have a new fan in me. ❤
I’m 73 - ex singer performer - still learning but really appreciated this as I’m still looking……has given me lots to think about . Appreciate your vulnerability and your acting shows through in a big way. ❤️❤️❤️
I know this is an older video. But I’ve been binging your content. This video reached me at such the right time in my life. I became a mom during the pandemic, while be fresh FRESHLY married. Caught Covid, gave birth, got a bit of ppd. Left my job as a graphic designer. And now I’m a stay at home mom for about 3 years. I’m just now crossing over from my depressive state. It’s like I’m sitting here like who am I? This video just gave me the assurance that I can explore. Babbling. I’m for sure babbling. But I’m just glad I found you and your channel. You’re an inspiration. You make me miss DC ! Love your videos. ❤❤
I am so on board with you telling people to not take on student debt! I am a college professor and tell my students all the time to apply to PhD programs and leave with the masters if that's what they want. It's all paid for, no debt involved. Why do people not know this?
I did 6 years of a PhD in science, but left with a masters. I realized I didn’t want to be a professor or have my own lab and money from the NIH was dwindling. (Yes I feel the need to justify my choice). I feel like my Masters degree represents failure. Intellectually i know it isn’t, but in the back of my head it is.
I just started following you recently because you’re both hilarious and extremely talented. My husband actually works for the Flatiron School! So cool that you had a great experience with them!
Yeah, I’m 65 and just retired a few months ago. I loved my career as a speech and language pathologist in the schools but it’s a different workplace today. I’m a lucky one to have many many wonderful memories from a fulfilling career.
I Currently work in a tech company and resonate with so much with what you're saying. I've been wanting to make youtube videos but I get paralyzed by the direction I want to take. But I agree, the desperation is fueling me. Gaaahhh thank you so much for making this and reminding me that what I'm doing makes sense. I have been greeted with a lot of opinions and I've been asking myself the same thing about the source. You, however, are a source I really appreciate hearing this advice from. Can't wait to see what's next!
I've been following you for a few years, but something brought me back to this video today, a year after posting. I'm 61 years old and just in time for the holiday season I was laid off from my job of 8 years. I've been going thru the online ads today and was feeling like crap, but you've helped me out. A few things you've said here have boosted my spirits. Thank you.
28:32 I love how you phrased that! Such a beautiful way of understanding the pay cut dilemma. I'm currently preparing for school in the fall. I'm going from a licensed massage therapist career that pays $70k/year to a work study for a bachelor's degree in psychology that only pays $9/hour. It's been such a difficult thing to wrap my head around but it makes sense to undergo this setback financially for a limited period of time in my life for what I feel when I think about having a career helping people.
I'm 46 years old. I have driven a school bus for 16 years and loved it. I've done some other things in addition over the years. I've been a care giver to elderly people, worked retail, sold items I craft, I had my license to sell life insurance and hated actually selling it. Although I have loved my job for years I feel like I want a change. I am tired of traveling to my job, the long hours away from home, and I want more pay. I have been afraid to start something new though. I haven't been sure what I want to do. I just know I want more time to devote to my home, less travel, flexibility, and at least the same pay. More pay would be fabulous too. You have kind of given me a kick in the butt to start working on making a change. I love the kids as a bus driver, but I think I'm ready to pursue my love for fitness and wellness.
"An anger hobby. An anger side hustle." A-frickin-men, yo. The points on people ebbing and flowing, and Diversified Fulfillment hit home. You verbalized a feeling. Thank you 🙏 BTW, you're still a comedian and we can't get enough 😻 you & Sissy-poo on the beach is pure gold.
I'm a chubby disgruntled slightly older disabled black woman. I don't like anyone but my husband, but I just LOVE you. You are the real deal. This video should be the framework for your RUclips career. I Love and am obsessed with the design too, but I crave the honesty about everything else in life. Keep it strictly brutal and kind just like you do.
“I don’t like anyone except my husband” 😂🙏 Mrs Freelove, from one disgruntled to another, I love and appreciate you.
I love you from your discription of yourself alone lol
This is such a fabulous comment 💖
@@Caroline_Winkler You are the woman I should have been.
@@MyCardboardMoon Thank you. I give honor where it's due.
I don’t think you have quit your acting/ comedy career. You just changed the stage. And we love it! ❤️ Thank you for being bold to be your true self online! The world is drowning in fakeness, it’s refreshing and empowering to watch someone authentic. 🙏👏
👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼👏🏼👏🏼
That was exactly what i've thought too!
Agreed Everything online has been so fake it’s hard to tell what’s real I find myself only watching people like Caroline who are genuine and authentic. I’ve been unfollowing and unsubscribing a lot lately
Oof this video is a game changer!! Been feeling similar with the acting field
She's so funny in her quirky way. I just bust out laughing! Makes me feel happy inside.
I’m an 82 year old woman. I really enjoyed this video. I admire what you have been able to accomplish with your life so far. I grew up in a time when women always worried about what other people think of them. Did we wear too much makeup or clothes too flashy for example. I gradually decided that I didn’t care what others thought. My motto became to quote the great First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, “no one can make you feel inferior without your consent “. Words to live by
The main problem we grew up with was our lack of opportunity. Few jobs or careers were open to women.
@Patricia Reeps, I needed to be reminded of this awesome quote, so thank you!
Now I will live by that motto thanks for sharing 😊
I love this quote! Thank you for sharing :)
and there is another saying that goes like: don't you care about what other people say, because the ones that mater don't care and the ones that care don't mater. or something like that... please correct me. i don't know who said this originally.
Caroline,
I am a registered nurse. When I tell people how unhappy I am, they brush it off. “But, you worked so hard to get there!” Blatantly ignoring what I’m telling them. I needed to see this video! I am not giving up nursing, completely; but, I am actively exploring other careers so that I do not have to work full-time at the hospital! Love your videos!!
I was a nurse for 25 years. I hated it!!! Now looking for another career at 52.
Amen! I worked my ARSE OFF trying to eek a living out of making and selling art. After I finally realized it was making me miserable on every level and that I was starting to hate art, I looked into what was the least creative thing I could do and got a paralegal certificate. Working with the egos of lawyers was difficult, but nowhere near as constantly infuriating as dealing with gallery owners and the egos of other artists, not to mention curators, buyers, and every single person who has ever even looked at a piece of art having an opinion about your work and what it should or shouldn’t mean. I’ve been told by my family and some of my friends that I’m a failure and that I’ve “given up on my dreams,” and they don’t have to live in my skin, so I stopped explaining and taking on their subtle and not so subtle insults.
Edit: I did work in healthcare admin also, and dealing with the egos of doctors was MUCH worse than lawyers or people in the art world combined, so I went back to paralegal work.
Interesting! I’ve worked for lawyers and with doctors (and am a doctor) and I find lawyers much worse. But perhaps it’s their ethics I object to. Doctors have the mental burden of the expectations of their work. Lawyers have more control over their choices in what they do and I’ve seen a lot of them default to what makes the most money. Many care a lot less about their clients than doctors do about their patients.
But why I’m commenting is to express gratitude for people admitting how much they hated jobs in clinical care. Not sure the reasons for you guys, and not sharing my reasons - it’s just that when we’re in “helping” fields like this, we can take a LOT of flack for not somehow *wanting* to sacrifice ourselves for the well being of literally everyone who comes our way. People don’t realize it’s still a JOB and can suck your life and your soul. What many seem to think is that we should be self sacrificial and care only about others well-being - heaven forbid you have your own pain/conditions or mental health challenges or other problems equal to theirs - and if you dare to admit in life that you don’t enjoy the job or are unhappy, you’re often judged as selfish or mean. Sorry, not sorry, but patients can be as entitled and neurotic as “customers” (who are NOT “always right”) but somehow it’s unacceptable to stand up for yourself in a healing field. I for one don’t dream of labor and sacrifice being what I spend most of my week on.
I love nurses. They give so much, and get treated as extras on a movie set. Doctors give orders, but nurses actually deliver your care. Real and grounded, but disrespected even by their significant other. Can't blame you for making changes.
Hello, look up Medical billing or Medical coding.They are 2 different fields.
“If you find the unhappiness and the weight of that job carrying into your evening, your weekends, your relationships, it sounds like it’s time to make a change” 🤯👏🏻
Well it’s 2 years later and I’m coming back to the video that started it all! I quit my job and I’m finally pivoting into something I only ever dared to dream of doing 😅 wish me luck 🍀
You have all for your new endeavors, the luck is with you!
This should be required viewing for college students. Truly. At 21 I thought success meant the top job title. Now, at 34, I realize success is being fulfilled by multiple areas in life, and my standards of happiness are different from others’.
"Success" is directly and proportionally related to the individual pursuing it. Success is merely achieving the goal set out in advance. What that goal is and how to define if it is achieved depends solely on the individual.
Success is not what others think of your accomplishments. Only you are the one that approves the outcome as such.
This is true and thankfully I’m learning this at 21
I thought the same thing… “I need to show this to my college age daughter!”
@@tracy_cakkes I'm 18 yo rn, any advice about college and education in general? Idk what I want do study or even worse I don't know what I want to my life:/ there's a lot of possibilities and idk what I want to become.
I like the way you qualified your rant, because it so depends on what you want to do, your personality and ability to do all the research you talked about and confidence to present yourself well. Some people just have the ability to figure out how to make things happen better than others. I’ve seen lots of college students just sleepwalking through school and sometimes they’re just not ready to be there. You brought up some important points, the work world today is very different and requires a different attitude. I loved when you talked about being bold, in whatever you do that’s critical snd certainly easier when 36:30 you’re younger. I really enjoy your attitude and channel, maybe because I’m originally a New Yorker 😁.
"Diversify your fulfillment." Joy being informed by a close walk with depression and pain. WOW woman, this is some seriously amazing, hard hitting life stuff. THANK YOU. I needed it 🙌🏼
I just found your channel yesterday, and it is one of the best things to happen to me in quite a while. It would be great if I could actually articulate why that is at this time. So, for now, I’ll sub, and when the right words come to me, I’ll toss them into a well thought out comment which will not read like a book!
“Diversify your fulfillment” omg this statement is GOLD!!!
This is the single best Ted Talk I’ve ever seen. 👏🏼 YES.
Bahahah❤️
You are so right about the degree scam. When I was in high school, we had a program called co-op. This was for kids (girls) who were interested in being a secretary, bookkeeper, etc. They took business classes half the day then worked an office job the rest of the day. Now to get a decent secretarial or business support staff job, you have to have a degree! It's insane! Jobs that do not, by any stretch of the imagination, require a four year degree now expect it. Gah!!!
not only a degree, but 3+ years experience.
As a 58 year old woman who finally walked away from the banking world because I had nothing left to give, I just want to say, “Good job figuring this out at a young age. Pat yourself on the back”.
It can be difficult getting traction when you are trying to build something new, but it sounds like you are on the verge of being able to cut back on the long hours soon. Be sure to make that move as soon as you can, your health is so important.
Ahh wow that must have been a huge change for you. Did you feel a huge weight lifted off when you left??
Cheers to you! I’m a 55-yr-old man who walked away from the world of construction management. Didn’t realize how much or for how long I truly hated it. Should have taken that step 20 years ago, but no sense regretting it now. Time to make the most of what is left. I’ve been pondering starting my own RUclips channel, but not sure what I would do.
I was just laid off from a job I was miserable in and as a result I found myself in a better place emotionally than I've been in my whole life. This video is exactly what I needed. Thank you!
@@midlife_crossroads I hope you do! So much wisdom to share
It was a tremendous relief. It has taken many months for the exhaustion to dissipate. I have so much gratitude to God that I don’t have to go back. Banking is a very high stress job. Government regulations, bank rules, employee shortages, customers who don’t understand what is really going on, constant rule/law changes etc. is a lot to stay on top of.
I'm old enough to be your mom, but you've taught me lessons that I wished I had learned at your age. You literally can save people's lives through your vlog - glad you had the wisdom to jump in the RUclips pool. Hope that you have found more life balance since this video - I just discovered you so I'm still catching up :)
Agreed. I’m old enough to be her mom too!
It’s interesting when you talk about diversifying fulfillment. I never thought about that. I’m in between jobs right now and I’ve been working as a hostess at a restaurant for a year. Before working there I thought “oh no, this is not a glamorous job, this might suck” but it doesn’t. I’ve realized it is absolutely an avenue of fulfillment for me. I love the people I work with, I’m good at the job, and I’m able to interact with people in my community. Once I accepted this and pushed into this feeling of fulfillment, I became happier and felt more balanced everywhere else
I love to hear that. There are so many ways to feel joy, stability and safety in life. I guess I believe that we all need a combo. Same as different friends bring different dynamics to our life..
I’m a singer who recently got over 21 million streams and had a song on new music friday Uk. The shocking part is how it felt like nothing. I realized in this last year that I don’t want this as bad as I once did. It was like losing a loved one. I really feel like this video was meant for me. Thank you for your bravery, intelligence and honesty. You really spoke to me.
i just checked your channel to listen to your music but you only have 1k subs and 167k views... how/where did you get this 21 million streams???
@@borednow aren't you aware that there other music platforms other than RUclips, like Spotify and Apple Music. She didn't specifically mention RUclips alone.
@@KuyaJayTV12 can you even read? Aren't you aware that you should read before commenting nonsense? I literally asked her where she got these streams!
I think the script needs flipping.. it’s not quitting, it’s realising that you’ve outgrown your current situation, or realising that it’s not right for you, and moving on. It doesn’t need to be seen as a negative. Love your videos by the way, relatable and funny ☺️
So true. The word itself is kind of inaccurate. Totally agree ❤️
@@Caroline_Winkler it really is isn’t it. I’ve just realised also, from watching this video to that I’ve always believed, from parents and society that I need to have one full time job/ career, but that always felt quite suffocating and daunting. I felt bad up until now for working part time and wanting to have a small business on the side, but I’ve now just realised that choosing this path is more secure, interesting, better for my mental health and more fulfilling. Thank you Caroline. Keep doing what you’re doing! ❤️
@@louizianna80 The system is "designed" (or at least kept in a status quo) to "reward" a certain "risk". Many professions and jobs provide quite some illusion of safety and guarantees. This is true to a certain point of expectations we have about our work life.
But where is the money? The money is on the side of what is worth taking a certain risk. Making the risk smaller is what @Caroline Winkler is talking about here. An employer is simply taking the risk of employing people to do things the employer is not capable of doing or doesn't have the time for.
If the risk is low, so will be the reward. But if something is hard to do, it probably is worth doing it.
I was also thinking about this just now! I quit a job that had once been the PERFECT job for me…but then, after a few years, it wasn’t. And…I think that’s okay. I’m glad I left.
This is the first "quitting your job" advice that didn't make me feel like throwing up from anxiety. Thank you for being real and more importantly, specific. ❤ 🙏
This is so incredible to hear! I recently left my ICU nursing job, where everyone would regularly tell me “oh you’re so incredible! It takes such a special person to handle COVID nursing, especially in ICU. This is such a calling!” And honestly I left because I could not handle being paid pennies to care for dying people every single day. I had so much self worth tied up in the way people thought of me because I was a critical care nurse but ultimately I was just worried what people would think. I ended up going into medical research and while it has its issues, my salary more than doubled and I am feeling so fulfilled in this new position. Thank you for this video!
Ah I am so happy to hear it has been a positive change for you❤️❤️keep going, you’re killin it
As a fellow nurse, I'm so happy for you Carlie!
Huggs. From one nurse to another...yeah, had to quit geriatric for the same reason.
I thought nurses get paid a lot
@@SR-mv2mf Nah... The hospitals or care centers depend too much on the moral obligatory side of the profession from nurses. It's actually mental and spiritual extortion in a lot of places. Yes, somebody got to do it. But at what cost? And how to keep it sustainable so nurses don't burn out?
So many professionals are being paid under the value that is provided by their efforts, it's making me sick. The whole hierarchy of the system is wonky. Football or baseball players get a lot of money just to entertain, while critical capacities like nurses get underpaid for their value. Managers, directors and CEO's get a lot of moolah just for delegating orders to subordinates. They get paid for the accomplishments of others, but will never take the heat if things go south. Etc. Sorry for my rant.
The way you describe your acting career was true for me as a teacher. Last year was my first year as a licensed, classroom teacher in my dream job. This was after 10 years (dropped out twice, worked in education, went back and got my degree). I resigned last April. I love teaching but my quality of life was ground to a pulp. My health, my husband, and son were all coming dead last. It was so hard to leave. I know how lucky I am to have been supported by my husband. Now I’m launching a private tutoring and lessons business, putting myself out there as a freelance writer, and substitute teaching. I’m constantly anxious but it’s far more tolerable than the deep, dark place I was in a year ago. Meanwhile, I am also helping support my husband build his career in coding/programming and he is currently working on a big job change. It has been such a challenging time for us, not to mention as parents of a 2-year-old and as new homeowners, but knowing others who have made the jump to reject the cookie cutter career paths is very reaffirming. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your story.
🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🥲❤️
"but knowing others who have made the jump to reject cookie cutter career paths" .... love this. Facing this in my life and career now.
I didn't make it through my first year of teaching. I had a similar situation, had been working in the schools and field of education for years. Finally got all the required education and absolutely hated being a classroom teacher. I felt so much shame, leaving my students before the year was up, but I was not able to maintain my integrity in that school, in that role with the work load I had. In the end I believe I was causing harm, working from such a depleted place and so bewildered, that I was miserable. Harm to myself and harm ultimately to my students.
It's not the kids, not the families, it's the adults. The lack of support, the administrators playing weird control ego games, wore me out.
Congratulations on finding your way.
I also quit teaching last year after about 10 years. I realized that while COVID was the breaking point, if I was being really honest with myself, it wasn't ever really a good fit for me even though there were a lot of things I loved about it. Good luck to you in your transition!
ohmygosh: teaching
if you know, you know
I am a dancer living in New York City.
I’ve come to the realization that I might want and need to do something else with my life. This video came at the perfect time✨
Thank you for your honesty!!
I’m proud of you for realizing that while you’re still young! It’s never to late and no matter how difficult it might seem it is all possible! You never know what God has in store for you on your way to where you think you are going. Enjoy the journey.
Aah man I couldn't relate to you more! I'm 29, I quit the film industry and it was so. damn. hard. but now I'm pursuing interior design! The film industry was 100% my identity, never being able to visit my family or hang out with friends was fine because I had this cool job everyone thought was awesome. People were always so impressed when I said "I work in film" it was a little buzz of reassurance even though I knew I was dying inside.
Honestly even now when I say "I used to work in film" and people respond with "oh wow" "oh my gosh what did you work on?" "did you meet celebrities?!" my eye twitches a little and it makes me want to throw my shoe.
I went through 6 months of shame fuelled depression, further fuelled by way too much wine. I couldn't shake the failure blues, it really messed with me.
But by gosh when I came out of it, it was the most freeing thing ever to realise it doesn't freakin' matter that I didn't want to keep doing it. I did a big corny life values and goals list and realised that almost none of them were going to be possible to obtain with 70+ hour work weeks in a hectic, unforgiving industry located away from my loved ones. I fortunately love interiors, and yet still completely agree in finding fulfilment over LOVE and in taking a god damn break or quitting when we need to. We need to as a society find a way to value personal values and enjoyment so that changing course is natural and supported, but heck that's getting into a huge kettle of fish I'm not qualified to delve into.
In the meantime, this video helped so much, thanks Caroline.
Oh man I am LIVING this right now. I’m 25 and just decided I’m at my wits end with commercial film production. The prestige and oohs and aahs of people kept me going because I wanted that pedigree. But with a recent fibromyalgia diagnosis and crippling anxiety, I’ve realized I can’t continue to try and make myself fit into this lifestyle I am growing to despise. I have no idea what I’m going to do now, beyond working at a friends coffee shop. And I’m ok with that for the time being. Wishing you the best in your new path!!
@@mallorymaxton5638 yessss mate well done. It's so hard to get out of it's such a fun and addictive industry haha but more then that it's pretty toxic and so freaking life consuming. A lot of the people in it are kind of mad with hierarchy power and it can mess up your health with how much they overwork us all. You've made a good move! Good luck to you too you're going to do great at whatever comes next keep following your gut :)
this is me right now, 30 and in tv production. Haven't worked for the last few months and getting desperate but also dreading getting another gig. very confused and very down about it.
Totally here for the "STUDENT LOANS ARE A SCAM" conversation. Again, not all degrees are worthless, but going into debt for a career that has a base salary that won't cover your student loan payment is not a good idea. If you must go try a community college first and invest time in looking for internships and fellowships. Actual experience trumps degree.
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Also - having a hobby or two or maybe a side hustle for a different added fulfillment…. Love this!
If your profession doesn't require math or law, I think a trade school or learning on the job is sufficient. But I'd consider this to be failure of teachers/guidance counselors. Also, as an Econ major, I find it shocking that money management is not taught in high school. It's one of the most valuable life skills anyone can learn and it is needed to assess whether or not it is worth spending money on a degree, a car, a mortgage, a stock.
As a community college educator, I wish more folks could recognize the value in that. Here in California, it’s a very low cost education that provides great value. So many of the programs are going to set you up for a good career or going to university. My specific college is one of the best in the nation and if you apply for financial aid you might pay $1,000 or less a year for excellent education. Don’t need to be dirt poor to get financial aid either. The Career Center gets students great internships. Leave with a degree and job experience. ✨🙌🏽
As a community college educator, I wish more folks could recognize the value in that. Here in California, it’s a very low cost education that provides great value. So many of the programs are going to set you up for a good career or going to university. My specific college is one of the best in the nation and if you apply for financial aid you might pay $1,000 or less a year for excellent education. Don’t need to be dirt poor to get financial aid either. The Career Center gets students great internships. Leave with a degree and job experience. ✨🙌🏽
Thank you for this video. I quit my job 2 weeks ago. I’m 50. It was my “dream job” and…. My boss hated me. So yes- I cried at home and then at work a lot. And that was it. Enough. So now I’m looking hard for a new life. It’s terrifying at this age.
The strength it took to acknowledge that it was time for change ... wow. Wishing you all the best! 💚
omg, the anger side hustle montage- you are hilarious! great editing :)
🥴🥴🥴❤️
I'm 35. I have a bfa in interior architecture. I spent the last 8 years in retail selling furniture making great money and absolutely hated it. I finally accomplished what I needed to money wise (no debt) and quit my job. I took 7 months off to reset. Now back in my field as a drafter/designer for an interior design firm and I am so happy. I never wanted an Masters as I didn't think it was necessary in my field, but my bachelors was. I worked hard to pay off my loans and I don't regret a thing! Stay focused and appreciate the moments your life feels "off course" that's when you grow the most.
I feel these rants to my bones! High schools DO NOT help kids to figure out their futures and what job options are out there. Degrees these days can be bypassed in some instances if you get job experience that show you don't need a piece of paper to understand and be good at the job.
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As a hs teacher, we can't! I'm in TX and there were so many bills passed recently where we can't go off script. But tbh, I might just accidentally show this video during advisory 👀
I really appreciate how honest you are about this topic. I am 20 years old and just dropped out of college because it was not the right thing for me and I was the most unhappy I had ever been in my life. My parents were extremely upset with me but I knew it was the right choice for me in my own life. Since dropping out I have found a job that I love and I am happier than I have been in a long time. It is really reassuring to hear similar stories about this topic because I don’t think people talk about it enough, so thank you.
Good for you! College is as overrated as it is overpriced. It’s a racket. Go to college when you’re at least 25 and are damn sure it’s necessary and what you want.
I just retired from high school counseling. I CONSTANTLY told students do what YOU want to do because ‘you’re the one that has to live with the life you create!’ You can go to college later if you feel the need to or find the job or career that requires it. Do you! You’re parents will just have to get over it. Be yourself - everyone else is taken!
I totally agree with the “never giving up” thing. You have to know when to cut your losses.
In order to start something NEW!
Also, that quote is by Winston Churchill and he had to fight a war...not exactly words to live by for every day life.
I’m glad I found your video. I’m almost 30 and have only worked retail. I had gotten my cosmetology license but never did anything with it because I realized I hated it. I’m a hard worker but I get burned out to the point where I just can’t go anymore. I honestly think something is wrong with me. I have no hobbies or money making interest whatsoever. I feel really lost and feel a lot of self hatred. I still don’t know what I want to do but I do know what I don’t want to do. Your kind and words were valuable.
Me too babes. Idk what to do, but you're not alone.
I so feel this 100%. You could try using the knowledge you have and have others pay you for it. That’s what I am doing now. I was in sales and now I’m teaching others how to sell. ♥️♥️
Wow I got my cosmetology liscense too and realized I hate it when I went to work at a salon. I can relate to everything you said. I'm so lost as well with no hobbies.
@@ngeee10 ........omg same. Ive had it for 10 years, still maintain it but never used it. Lost as well and reaching 30. Good to know us girlies really arent all that alone
I worked as teacher for 5 years and then quit to become self employed after realizing I wasn't happy. I had so many people tell me I was making a mistake, that I was being a selfish mother, that I was going to fail. I didn't listen to them because I knew that I was working towards something that was going to give me the life I wanted which was freedom to do what I wanted. Fast forward 4 years and I am currently running a business that supports my lifestyle while being available to my children whenever I need to be. Point being, I agree with everything you said.
Wow, thanks for sharing your inspiring experiences! I quit teaching and am struggling to pivot in a new direction, and especially to deal with the judgment of others! However, I know deep in my gut this is the right move and that in the long run it will be worth giving it a shot. Otherwise, I don't believe I would have enough time to be the kind of wife and mother I would like to be one day!
What business do you run now? I am curious since I am also a mama. TYIA!
What I would've given for this SOLID advice before I went to college at age 19. You're girl Caroline is spot on - take it from someone who is now 38 and been through a handful of careers as well.
Thank you for putting all of my thoughts into a well rounded 41 minutes and 19 seconds. I can relate to EVERY. SINGLE. THING. said in this video. For context, I quit my corporate job in downtown Denver in 2019, moved to New Zealand and started Dairy Farming, now I live in Australia and work as a Party Planner....I was viewed as a quitter (and insane) to my corporate coworkers for giving up my secure 9-5, but I am more fulfilled in life now then I ever was (it was by no means easy but worth it)....I'll step off my soap box now. Thank you for this
sounds awesome! all the best!🤗
I am 45 and am on my 4th (5th?) career and finally feel seen. I typically get so much criticism or get the label of a "job hopper" or "flighty" but I want to want to freely move with life's experiences.
Also, as a person with a master's in a social science with one of those careers being in higher ed, agreed. We need to bust the system. Good for you for finding a way! Thanks for externally validating me today!
I took classes at our local community college for interior design. Only needed 6 classes plus 1 elective (I took Sketchup and an extra one for home staging) to get a certificate and it was less than $1,000. The last few were online because of the ‘demic, but I enjoyed all of them! My favorites were technical drawing, home staging and construction basics.
So helpful! Thank u for sharing this❤️❤️ sketchup is a MUST
if you liked sketchup Revitt is better. Much easier to use
I'm all for avoiding university at all costs as well. I was very fortunate to have my first degree paid for, then worked a crappy job in healthcare and then decided I wanted to go into tech. My determination to never waste my time and money at university was probably the only reason I was successful at self teaching. All that uni debt for a job you may or may not end up liking is a huge risk.
Never heard the analogy of diversifying fulfillment as akin to diversifying investments....such a smart way to think about it!
I was caught in a downsizing recently and at 61 I am realizing I need to find some real fulfillment finally. It was always career advancement, family, kids, alimony that kept me working as a Petroleum Engineer, Investment Banker, CFO but not having much joy. So today I’m designing and building houses! Appears in Oklahoma you can do it without an architecture degree!
Oh my garsh we have so many parallels. My previous dream/identity was singer songwriter and quitting that took years to recover from(like a bad breakup) then I went into tech/marketing eight years ago and genuinely liked it thennnn got burnt out in 2019…always wanted to start a YT channel but waited.. TWO more years!! 😂 Started my channel 9 mos ago and am honestly shocked to make money from this. It sounds cheesy but I feel like im living my purpose 🤷🏽♀️ combines all my passions and have never been more fulfilled. Anyhoo there’s my novel😄 your videos are brilliant, so glad you popped up in my feed!!💕💕
WHOAAAA GIRL! So so parallel. Checking out your channel now😍😍😍
Love both you ladies! So glad YT suggested your content and now you’ve found each other ☺️
I’ve been a singer songwriter all my life and I’m 72 and seriously wondering why I ever pursued it. Maybe I just did it for too long. Must take a look at what you’re doing🌹🌹🌹
Hey, what was your job in tech/marketing, if you don't mind me asking? I'm kind of interested in both of those fields. 😅
Caroline, I found you three days ago and I'm obsessed
You forced me to drop-kick my attitude out the door. I wasn't sure someone your age could reveal anything I hadn't seen after 40 years of work. I was dead wrong, and I will be watching this video again. Footnote: I, too, suffer from severe depression and have always been aware of death, while others don't seem to acknowledge it at all.
I’m 26 and I’m so miserable with my life that I’ve used relationships as coping mechanisms. I’ve never had a relationship longer than one year, and the most recent one ended super tragically. Your videos are giving me the big sister advice and reality check I need. Thank you 🙏🏼
It's very difficult for women to have it all, unless they're prepared to bring up their children alone, despite what their divorced and/or childless colleagues may claim. It's not too late for you, but I'm afraid good quality parents quickly find one another early on in their relationship careers and invest their time and energy maintaining their relationship. You're probably dating guys that have little interest in family life and children until they're are older, which isn't too good for you.
You spoke so much truth my eyes watered. What you called “Diversified Fulfillment” (love that name btw) is what I called “Plan B” because I learned the hard way when I was widowed at 22 with two children. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN B in all facets of your life. Go you!!!
Speaking as a former career counselor and someone who has changed careers, all of her advice is seriously on point. Really appreciate her putting this video out.
I could feel your emotions when you were talking about quitting acting. Being able to articulate is a win.
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Never, ever quit a job unless you have an emergency fund. Period. I think a minimum of three month's worth of income. A year's worth would be much better.
That said. I wish I had quit m y job. Instead, I had a STROKE at my job. No job is worth frying half your body and brain.
This is a great video. Probably your best one. I so agree about career counseling. I have a masters degree and still have no idea what I should do with my life. It's a little late now. I'm 58.
Im 51, and it’s only been in the past 3 years that I realized that my Fulfillment can not and does not come from one source, not from my friends, family or my man, I know that I can consistently count on myself with sprinkles of the other three sources 🥰
"your time and your energy are finite". I cannot belive somebody said that. Thank you! By the way, regarding your "angry tone". It does not sound for me neither aggresive nor angry, but just passionate and emotional. And honestly I like it.
Excellent, Caroline! Good advice to those who are smart enough to truly hear you! I taught school, realized it wasn't enough for todays kids, and became a child/adolescent psychologist. Ok, rewarding. But..yes, the inevitable burnout came. Now, back to selling antiques. Real ones, not kitch, or dirty old tin cans. You'll ❤️do fine- with your determination, or "anger" at rampant stupidity, you'll stand out, not blend in. Any idiot can do THAT!! Admire you greatly- keep on steppin!! 💥
Wow I love this. I completely understand the difficulty of that switch. Glad it has made you happy❤️❤️🙌 and thanks for the encouragement Jane 😘
@@Caroline_Winkler Anytime, Caroline! From what l see, l have great expectations of you. Not in a pressury (yeah, not a word,l know) way, but in simple truth! 💥Not just with steppin'- some days you just gotta go stompin' instead!! 💥
“Consider the source” regarding the opinions of others is deceptively simple but its one of the most brilliant pieces of advice you could give anyone! So important.
When I say you have no idea how much I need this video right now 💖
💕 girl I am glad to hear it. We all out here in crisis
The angry montage was EVERYTHING. Honestly, every montage you make is absolute gold. I have also changed careers several times (and am currently doing it again) before age 35 and this advice is dead on. Also, I cannot believe that Shakespeare Was A Woman was written by your sister!!! aka I didn't make that connection when I saw it in my library. So cool. The Winklers are an accomplished bunch :)
Appreciate hearing your thoughts. Diversifying fulfillment is a powerful concept I’ll be thinking on for a while. Thanks!
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Youre a breath of fresh air….intelligent, thoughtful, articulate, raw honest, so helpful to others especially your age group.
I’m 75. I want to tell you that might life experience has taught me all that you already know.
And I love your sense of what’s beautiful and functional. Thank you!
The fulfillment diversity is great message. I had one passion, art and fashion. Switched from teaching to fashion industry around 30. Now 20+ years in, i still love it, but yes layoffs will happen! I'm skilled, proficient etc, but----started diversifying. Got a masters degree & started an industrial design art project. NO ID experience. Important part is its a bit scary to diversify! but worth it. Good advice on this, Caroline!
Love to hear that Courtney ❤️I think this hits deepest for people in the arts for sure. Passion and practicality are tough needs when put together
I don't think you have anger problems... if anything, I think you're just actually more tuned in to all of your emotions INCLUDING anger and it makes people uncomfortable because they suppress their feelings. Your channel helped me embrace my negative emotions because I see you do it and you serve as a role model for me.
Thank you, Caroline! I really needed to hear that it is about working to live not living to work. I have found myself continually chasing the next big career opportunity to the detriment of my relationships. Also, cracked up when you said " You're 65, you're about to get cancer". It is morbid but kinda true. :)
Doh, i love that it resonated Wendy. ❤️I feel like so many of us struggle with this all through life, I know I do!
You talk so well! Your narratives, confidence and expression are the result of your acting training. You didn’t quit acting, you are script-less improv acting! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Such a great video Caroline, packed full of first hand experience and encouragement at any life stage! Keep shining sister, you’re doing amazing ☀️
Appreciate that so much friend 🙂❤️
What a beautifully honest and vulnerable video. You made me laugh, cry and contemplate. At 50 can totally relate, except I wish I had the self love and forgiveness you have at 30. I totally feel f@k that sh!t now, but not at 30. Good for you!!
I'm 21 years old, studying electrical engineering and have failed like 20/26 of my classes, my anxiety for the past 3 years has affected me in so many ways and I can not imagine myself happy or financially stable any time in the near future. Hearing your struggles and seeing in what a good place you're right now really motivates me, thank you so much for this video❤
Caroline, I am 27 now and it is inspiring to see that you ultimately decided that it was a necessity to change things up around that time in your life too. To see you on the other side of it flourishing is REALLY helpful. I just finished my graduate degree and left feeling like I wasted my time with a pile of debt when I initially thought it'd be this enriching and connecting experience. I am currently trying to turn that regret into fuel to go do something better for myself and my future. Keep videos like this going, it is SO helpful.
I am 55 years old and only just coming to realize what you just put out here. I have just binge watched several hours of your channel, and I have thoroughly enjoyed your content. Keep up the great work! It feels great to reinvent yourself, doesn't it?
I have had more than 50 jobs, everything from mixing cement for a mason to finance, advertising and writing code, four were with three different military entities, soldier, airman and electrician with the Navy. Better pay, curiosity and boredom are the main reasons. Been places and done things that most people never experience in a whole lifetime. Experienced most of Europe, seen how people live in third world countries, flown through the Bermuda Triangle. Been frozen on mountains, baked on deserts. Made more friends than money. Acquaintances is perhaps a better word.
Still, I find you and your stories fascinating. Self-reliance and independence are key. Forget what others think, they are not you and it's none of their business. Don't live with regret based in other people's opinions and perceptions. You will make many of your own. Most people don't have the courage to break out, seek adventures, try something new. Security and complacency. So, perceived opinions of others generally hold them down. They never really live, just go through the expected motions.
You know stuff. My mantra is girls know stuff. This is why I love your channel, and you are also gorgeous with little and no makeup.
Love your eye for design, judging by your home, especially the slightly angled mirror over the fireplace.
UX is interior design for the virtual world. I only recently found your videos Christine and love your work. Your therapeutic understanding of humans and your grasp of beauty and function in use and appreciation of space isn't something you can necessarily get with a degree. Thank you for sharing your joy and honest opinions.
This is so real! Thank you for sharing. I had the same thing with music....was doing all the right things to break in and i just looked up one day and said, this is not for me. Had been on TV, had connections with record labels, blah blah... It just wasn't the path for me. It's okay to change! Thank you again for sharing!
I did a six-month boot camp at UT Austin with Trilogy’s curriculum and got my job in site reliability in just two years working in tech. It’s a great foundation for getting started. You are not going to become a Data architect overnight, but you can get started in a position that you will like and you can move up from there. You don’t need a degree if you’re not looking to break ground on new technologies. Sometimes it’s just great to be able to work.
The 'you being angry' section made me SO happy! I laughed. I love it so much!
Caroline, I really fuck with your vibe and your perspective on things. I’m in my 30s and making changes and feel so freaked out by the structural differences. You’re amazing. Ty!
So glad I found this. Thank you thank you thank you. ❤ I’m 25 and figuring out where I’m at after several years of processing some challenging life/family stuff. What a stupid myth I’ve sold myself that it’s “too late” to explore, evolve and just try. Thank you for reminding all of us how life is a constant journey of change and readjustment in pursuit of what fulfils us - 20s, 30s, 80s, whenever.
Came for the interior design, stayed for videos like this. And the interior design. And the vlogs. ♥️
I’m 30 now and somewhat figured out my life but god I wish I could’ve watched this during/after college.
So glad you found me Paul! And I’m so glad something in here resonated. It’s definirelt lifelong journey of “figuring it out” for me. Just trying to take the discoveries as they come ❤️
I'm in my 60s and have had 4 distinctly difference careers, and 3 of my own businesses, all profitable. My goal is always to have freedom and flexibility while also making $$. No matter what, you DO have to work. Because as an entrepreneur, you quickly learn that the more you work, the more you can make. And, it's hardly ever 'enough' that you stop putting in hours. You are super fun to watch, and very creative and clever. Keep it going! I do, however, think a lot of young people believe vlogging is easy and a way to make huge money. Reality is, very few people make enough money to substitute it for a career...few people have the personality and the drive to make it work. Another example I've been watching and loving is Arvin Olano.
I love that there’s no b.s. in how you present yourself. You remind me of my best friend from high school, Tonya, whom I love because she is 1,000% herself and I can be 1,000% myself with her. You have that same kind of energy. It’s comforting.
I actually went into tech without experience too. I was living and working in a very tight knit farming community and was getting tired of the rut I found myself in. So I did a programming bootcamp for 6 month, just to do something completely else for a change. The day I finished, a friend offered me a job and I took it. I don't love it like I love making and sharing art or taking care of animals, but I enjoy how it tickles my brain. I can switch the ''code-mode'' on and off, unlike my creative pursuits or the animals and children I used to be responsible for.
As a person in my mid twenties, thank you. This content aligns so well with the journey I’m on. Needed this. Thanks for sharing!
Omg I needed this! As an actress giving it my all for years putting my life on hold was hard. I became very unhappy but also felt a lot of shame about my thoughts of quitting. Thank you for this beautiful video.
This was so cathartic to listen to! I left a career in ballet during the pandemic and I relate so much to your story. There is freedom at rock bottom. It gets better. There's so much life on the other side of that dream job. Thanks, Caroline!
As a creative-- classical musician/orchestral-choral conductor, I feel the same way about coding! I love how structured it is, and its finality. I also like that you get immediate satisfaction when your code works, while the creative goals are more nebulous and long-term. Love your content!
I'm a translator and I feel like I get the best of both worlds: it's structured and has finality to it, but it also allows for creativity (well, it depends on the assignment, but generally, yes).
I’m a coder too, but I think we shouldn’t sugarcoat coding. It feels good when it works, but when it doesn’t, there’s a lot of anxiety involved. I find myself putting in a lot of extra hours when stuff doesn’t work. There is quite a bit of stress that no one seems to talk about. If I could do life all over, I’d be a doctor. There’s a reason doctors are so confident, the human body doesn’t change, so they just keep improving at their job.
I'll leave the lengthy comments to more eloquent people, but just thank you for this. makes so many of us feel less alone! I've realized fulfillment > passion when it comes to work. My job is a way for me to have the time, money, resources, etc. to enjoy my friends, hobbies, etc. u r the bees knees, caroline!
Thank you for voicing so much of my internal struggle! I am a professional actor who did the New York thing for 5 years and when I realized New York wasn’t serving me anymore, I decided to leave to work at a regional theatre as my job. I was moving away to be paid a salary to do what I love but I still felt like an immense failure. I told only 5 people I was permanently leaving. For years I pretended like I was splitting time between the city and my new locale. I felt so much shame for not taking the track of my peers and was so concerned about what people would think or say. It wasn’t until recently (3 years later) where I became secure in my decision and I am happy with my life and the choices I’ve made. I get to have a great life now that just looks different than I thought it would and that’s okay. Thank you for your thoughtful, funny, and helpful videos. I love them all from vlogs to interior design to life chats. Keep up the amazing work!
You have so much wisdom. I admire your strength and willingness to share your story with us. It comes at a time I really needed to hear this, as I haven’t had much support from the people around me. I was always alone. I was an art dealer in my 20s in New Orleans. I was a research analyst in my 30s in nyc and Miami. I was a teacher in Europe in my 40s, and now at 53 I’ve gone full circle to being an art gallerist again (or at least on my way there,… I just resigned from my teaching job and am looking at my options….) Change can be terrifying, but I’ve always followed my heart career wise…. I have no regrets, other than caring too much what other people thought about me and my choices. But like you say, F them, it’s our life. You’re awesome and I love you. Xx
This video flew by, didn't even feel like 40 min. I'm going through a career change now at 30. I just left healthcare as a Lab Tech and I'm getting into an IT field. I'm super excited. Small company, wfh, and I'll be able to spend more time with my baby after she's born this December. I feel like I've finally started to figure things out. It's more money too.
I'm a career counselor and I really appreciate this video! I love the phrase "diversified fulfillment.". And I think you have a great perspective on taking the salary cut. This is probably the biggest hurdle many of my clients face. They want to leave their job and start a new career but expect that they are going to start at the same pay level. That rarely can happen... especially if you spent 20+ years in the field increasing your wages and responsibilities.
wow wow wow what a rollercoaster. I started watching your videos for interior design tips, stayed for the slightly-manic-but-holding-it-together finger zoom humor, and am now learning that we both had similar career experiences. I also just switched careers into software development at 28! Thanks for teaching this dude to appreciate lamps and curtains 🤙🏻
just my simple thinking, software developer is truly suite for man. dont get me wrong, it is bcz i am in my crisis identity haha :") i am at 29 now and thinking to switch out from developer job. as asian woman, i cant imagine if i have to code everyday if i have kids then. and idk how could i dont have any hobby lol, and i already spend my years in this field. curious how is my future makes me dizzy 😅
What a great video! I haven’t related to a topic(s) and/or person like this in a while. Thank you for being so real and vulnerable. And I’m just going to put it out there…I would like to be your friend. We are already friends (in my head) so just go with it! 😜 Keep up the good work!! Love you!! ❤️
Sherri that means so much ❤️
Thank you for sharing. My husband is a CS professor at a college, but he would love your story of entering the coding world. He has a lot of respect for those boot camps. Way to go, Caroline!!!! I hired an interior decorator years ago who was 70. She retired from being an administrative assistant at 65 and took classes to learn interior decorating. She was perfect for me since I did not have a budget of thousands of dollars to spend and just wanted color and finishing touches advice. Keep at it Caroline!!!! A lot of people need someone like you.
Caroline, you held my attention for the entire video. It was so interesting to hear your experiences with career changes. I give you so much credit for being so genuine and transparent. I took away so much, and I’m sure other viewers did as well. I am a fairly new subscriber, and you have quickly become one of my favorite You Tubers to watch. I couldn’t wait to open up this video! It sounds like you have made the right choices for yourself. You are inspiring!! Keep the videos coming! Btw, where is your dress (or top) from? It is adorable!
Ms. universe had me watch this video so I could CALM TF down about my career! From one Washingtonian to another, thank you for the honesty and insights! Question, as a small business person, how do you determine how much to charge people for your services? I feel like my people-pleasing tendencies would kick in and I would end up frantically apologizing and paying people to use my services 😅
This, right here. I lose money whenever I try to venture out into my own thing because I'm such a people pleaser.
Same here. It's impossible to read people when trying to bid jobs. You try to be nice and being reasonable and they act like your price is outrageous. Then you think you are bidding a job too much and they say that's it? Wow that's so much lower than the other bids we got! And you feel dumb . It's so hard to read people to find a price you think they will be happy with! It's tough!
I think this would be a terrific subject for Caroline to cover in a video!
Ask for quotes from someone in the same business for reference; You learn your comps and what’s reasonable at your market.
I just found you this weekend when I was trying to Marie Kondo my sewing room and I just love you! Thank you for sharing this. I have been a potter for 10 years and have been feeling so much angst about making money for someone else this whole time and having little to show for myself. I’m in the process of trying to figure out how to make a shift and do something for myself and it’s hard, emotional, and scary! I appreciate your insights. Thank you 😊
I’m new to this channel and after watching one of your interior design videos, I feel like this one came into my life at just the right time. I related so heavily to much of what you said. I’ve been in that darkness and felt that fear and shame of quitting. I’ve taken way too much bad advice from people who hate their lives and are beginning to live when they’re old. I’ve waited 25 years of my life, holding my breath, waiting to just find happiness and living in despair. It’s time to make a change. Thank you Caroline. You definitely have a new fan in me. ❤
Thanks. I connected with this topic. Change is hard and the social dynamics around it are too.
I’m 73 - ex singer performer - still learning but really appreciated this as I’m still looking……has given me lots to think about . Appreciate your vulnerability and your acting shows through in a big way. ❤️❤️❤️
I know this is an older video. But I’ve been binging your content. This video reached me at such the right time in my life. I became a mom during the pandemic, while be fresh FRESHLY married. Caught Covid, gave birth, got a bit of ppd. Left my job as a graphic designer. And now I’m a stay at home mom for about 3 years. I’m just now crossing over from my depressive state. It’s like I’m sitting here like who am I? This video just gave me the assurance that I can explore. Babbling. I’m for sure babbling. But I’m just glad I found you and your channel. You’re an inspiration. You make me miss DC ! Love your videos. ❤❤
I am so on board with you telling people to not take on student debt! I am a college professor and tell my students all the time to apply to PhD programs and leave with the masters if that's what they want. It's all paid for, no debt involved. Why do people not know this?
I did 6 years of a PhD in science, but left with a masters. I realized I didn’t want to be a professor or have my own lab and money from the NIH was dwindling. (Yes I feel the need to justify my choice). I feel like my Masters degree represents failure. Intellectually i know it isn’t, but in the back of my head it is.
I'm late to this particular video from 2022 but so worth 40 min. Raw, real, insightful. I'm 56 and STILL walked away with so much. Thanks girl!
I just started following you recently because you’re both hilarious and extremely talented. My husband actually works for the Flatiron School! So cool that you had a great experience with them!
Yeah, I’m 65 and just retired a few months ago. I loved my career as a speech and language pathologist in the schools but it’s a different workplace today. I’m a lucky one to have many many wonderful memories from a fulfilling career.
I Currently work in a tech company and resonate with so much with what you're saying. I've been wanting to make youtube videos but I get paralyzed by the direction I want to take. But I agree, the desperation is fueling me. Gaaahhh thank you so much for making this and reminding me that what I'm doing makes sense. I have been greeted with a lot of opinions and I've been asking myself the same thing about the source. You, however, are a source I really appreciate hearing this advice from. Can't wait to see what's next!
I've been following you for a few years, but something brought me back to this video today, a year after posting. I'm 61 years old and just in time for the holiday season I was laid off from my job of 8 years. I've been going thru the online ads today and was feeling like crap, but you've helped me out. A few things you've said here have boosted my spirits. Thank you.
28:32 I love how you phrased that! Such a beautiful way of understanding the pay cut dilemma. I'm currently preparing for school in the fall. I'm going from a licensed massage therapist career that pays $70k/year to a work study for a bachelor's degree in psychology that only pays $9/hour. It's been such a difficult thing to wrap my head around but it makes sense to undergo this setback financially for a limited period of time in my life for what I feel when I think about having a career helping people.
I'm 46 years old. I have driven a school bus for 16 years and loved it. I've done some other things in addition over the years. I've been a care giver to elderly people, worked retail, sold items I craft, I had my license to sell life insurance and hated actually selling it. Although I have loved my job for years I feel like I want a change. I am tired of traveling to my job, the long hours away from home, and I want more pay. I have been afraid to start something new though. I haven't been sure what I want to do. I just know I want more time to devote to my home, less travel, flexibility, and at least the same pay. More pay would be fabulous too. You have kind of given me a kick in the butt to start working on making a change. I love the kids as a bus driver, but I think I'm ready to pursue my love for fitness and wellness.
"An anger hobby. An anger side hustle."
A-frickin-men, yo.
The points on people ebbing and flowing, and Diversified Fulfillment hit home. You verbalized a feeling. Thank you 🙏
BTW, you're still a comedian and we can't get enough 😻 you & Sissy-poo on the beach is pure gold.