Reinventing myself after 10 years as a Pastry Chef
At this moment, I find myself in what I believe to be a state of burnout. However, after three months of taking a break from my culinary career, I’ve come to realize that it may not be as terrible as I initially thought. It’s often common to hear stories like, “A finance professional quits after a decade in the stock market and starts selling bread from their apartment.” Well, my story is quite the opposite.
My name is Carolina, and despite being only 28 years old, I am a former pastry chef with over ten years of experience. Back in 2013, I was convinced that by now, I would have my life together — living in my own apartment, possibly married, and even starting to plan for motherhood. During my teenage years, I dreamt of having seven children and living the life of a housewife. In fact, I was even awarded the “Future Trophy Wife” at my prom. However, today’s generation would prevent me from even considering such a role. Sorry, Gen Z and Alpha kids, but life took a different turn for me after high school. The bug of entrepreneurship and independence bit me, and here I am today.
While studying at Business School, I ran a small brownie business on the side. It was during this time that I realized it had the potential to become something bigger if I desired. Five years later, I finally graduated and decided to pursue my passion by enrolling in pastry school. This opened doors for me to work abroad in the United States and Canada. My last experience took me to a work camp in the remote wilderness of Northern Ontario, Canada. This job became the turning point, the final straw. After months of contemplation, sleepless nights, and questioning my choices, I made the bold decision to quit my job, end my nearly four-year relationship, and return to my home country.
One of the main reasons for this sudden change was the realization that the life I had was not the life I had once dreamed of and worked towards. I reluctantly accepted that I had settled for things I used to criticize. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t all bad. I had the privilege of witnessing the northern lights twice, right from the roof I slept under, and I even encountered a couple of bears — that’s how remote the place was. However, it became clear that this lifestyle was not for everyone, and I failed to see it. Sacrificing myself in the Ontario bush for something I never truly desired was not the path I wanted to continue on.
Now, as I write this article from my childhood bedroom in my parents’ house, still searching for remote job opportunities with no luck so far, I have decided to pursue my long-standing dream of becoming a blogger. I have always wanted to document my life, experiences, recipes, critiques, and more through social media. So, why not compile it all into a blog?
Reflecting on my past, I have embarked on a journey of inner healing and self-improvement. Since returning home, I have managed to shed around 10 pounds simply by taking it easy and prioritizing my physical well-being. Despite approaching thirty, I feel that there is so much more life to live, experiences to embrace, lessons to learn, and stories to share. Just by writing this article, I feel a sense of relief that surpasses the disappointment I felt after an unsatisfying job interview earlier today.
Hopefully, one day, I will be able to make a living through writing. To those who are currently struggling to make difficult, life-changing decisions, trust me, I am still learning to forgive myself for settling in the past. This journey will be a long one, but I am fortunate to have the support of my family and friends. Most importantly, I am willing to do whatever it takes to rediscover my true self once again.
