Hello Sunshine,

Happy Monday, I hope you’ve found moments of joy as the new year kicks off!

Before I dive in this month, I wanted to share something with you. If you're looking for a moment of reflection or a little clarity, I've created a free library of gentle, supportive tools to guide your journey, whether you're feeling stuck, craving a reset, or simply curious. No pressure, no perfection, just support.
👉 Click here to explore the Shine Bright Resource Library

Remember: You are magic today, tomorrow and every day.

Today, I want to explore a thought that's been weighing on many of my clients lately: Am I starting from zero if I change careers?

Key Takeaways

• You're never starting from zero. Every experience, skill, and lesson you've gathered comes with you, even if your job title changes.

• Society conditions us to believe in linear paths. University → sector → stay forever. But that's not how real growth works.

• Your transferable skills are your superpower. Communication, problem-solving, resilience, and adaptability matter more than technical know-how.

• Rerouting isn't failure. It's courage. Choosing alignment over comfort is one of the bravest things you can do.

At 32, I found myself asking this question.

After years at Hilton, then HotelTonight, then Airbnb, where I was promoted several times and considered "top talent", I walked away. No backup plan. No safety net. Just a deep knowing that staying would break me.

And the first thing people asked? "But aren't you starting over? Aren't you throwing away everything you've built?"

Here's what I've learnt: I'm not starting from zero. I'm rerouting.

Think about it. When you change careers, you don't lose:

• Your ability to communicate clearly

• Your problem-solving skills

• Your resilience in navigating challenges

• Your network and relationships

• Your understanding of how organisations work

• Your capacity to learn and adapt

What you do lose? The comfort of familiarity. The identity tied to your job title. The external validation that comes with staying on a "safe" path.

But here's the truth: Those things were keeping you small.

Society conditions us to believe in linear paths. You pick a degree at 18, you enter a sector at 22, and you climb that ladder until retirement. Any deviation feels like failure.

But what if the real failure is staying in something that no longer serves you?

I left corporate not because I failed, but because I outgrew it. I'd learnt everything I needed to learn. My values had shifted. My priorities had evolved. And the environment that once challenged me was now draining me.

When I transitioned into coaching, I didn't start from zero. I brought:

• A decade of leadership experience

• Deep understanding of workplace dynamics

• Firsthand knowledge of burnout and recovery

• The ability to hold space for difficult conversations

• A network of incredible women who trusted me

I wasn't starting over. I was redirecting my wealth of experience toward something that aligned with who I'd become.

And that's what I want you to understand: Your past isn't wasted just because you're changing direction.

Every job you've had taught you something. Every boss (even the terrible ones) showed you what you value. Every challenge you navigated made you more resilient. Every relationship you built added to your network.

You're not starting from zero. You're starting from a place of wisdom, experience, and self-knowledge that your younger self never had.

So if you're considering a career change but that voice in your head keeps saying, "But I'll be starting over..."

Let me reframe it for you:

You're not starting over. You're rerouting.
You're not throwing away your experience. You're repurposing it.
You're not back at square one. You're at a new beginning, with everything you've learnt in your toolkit.

And that? That's not starting from zero.

That's starting from a place of power.

Hit reply and let me know: Have you ever felt like you were "starting over"? What did you bring with you that you didn't initially realise?

My monthly challenge is to map your transferable skills.
Take 20 minutes this week to write down:

1. Three skills you use regularly in your current role

2. Three challenges you've successfully navigated

3. Three things people consistently come to you for help with

4. Three values you won't compromise on

Notice how much you're bringing to the table, regardless of what your next move looks like.
You're not starting from zero. You never were.

Hit reply and let me know if you can relate to this story.

Shine bright.

Want to go deeper?

If this resonates and you're curious about understanding YOUR unique design, I'm hosting a free Human Design workshop on Wednesday, January 28th at 4pm PST (7pm EST / 12am GMT).

In 60 minutes, you'll discover:

✨ Your energy type and natural strategy
✨ How you're designed to make decisions
✨ Why certain things have felt so hard
✨ Practical ways to work WITH your design instead of against it

[Register free here →]

Can't make it live? Register anyway and you'll get the recording.

This workshop is perfect if you're considering a career change, feeling burnt out, or simply want to understand yourself at a deeper level.

This month’s quote:

Other resources that have supported my journey:

• Calm - A favourite for mindfulness, sleep and relaxation. You can set gentle daily reminders to disconnect. Click here for a 30-day free trial.

• Primeadine® Original - A premium, plant-based spermidine supplement. I’ve loved it for better sleep, sharper focus, and stronger hair. Use code NADIA15 for 15% off.

• 60-second meditation tool - A beautiful way to pause and reset. Just one minute a day can do wonders.

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