We’re told life’s supposed to follow a straight line—like you pick a direction, stick to it, and everything will just... fall into place. But, really? Life’s more like a river that occasionally throws you into a whirlpool and makes you question all your life choices. Sometimes it’s smooth sailing, other times you’re clinging to a rock, trying not to drown. The trick isn’t about staying on course; it’s about knowing when to shift gears, change lanes, or just abandon ship altogether.
We’ve all had those moments—those what am I doing with my life? moments. Maybe it’s a job that doesn’t fit anymore, or maybe it never did. Maybe it’s a city that feels more like a place you just happen to be than a place that feels like home. It could be a creative project that’s hit a wall, no matter how much you push through. Or maybe it’s just waking up one day and realizing you’ve been running on autopilot. Whatever it is, there comes a point where we’re faced with a choice: stay the course, even if it’s no longer working, or pivot—hard.
For me, pivots have been a constant in my life. Not always graceful, mind you, but necessary. Why? Because life doesn’t care about your perfect plan. It’ll throw curveballs, detours, and the occasional brick wall, and it’s up to you to decide what to do with it. And no, this isn’t about some grand “life epiphany” moment where everything suddenly makes sense. It’s more like a series of small realizations—each one reminding you that sometimes, the smartest thing you can do is change direction.
Take my old career for example. I was an executive assistant in the film industry… a damn good one I might add. I mastered the art of organized chaos, juggling a dozen schedules while putting out fires. But after a while, that fire started to burn me out. I was losing myself in the chaos of other people's lives and my own life started to slip through the cracks. It wasn’t easy to walk away from something I’d mastered, but just because you're good at something doesn’t mean it’s what you’re meant to do forever. So, I pivoted. I made the decision that many of us are terrified to make: I walked away. Not because I had it all figured out—but because I knew staying wasn’t an option anymore.
And that’s the thing about pivots. They don’t come with a guarantee. You don’t pivot because you know it’ll work out. You pivot because you know you can’t keep doing what you’re doing. That uncertainty? It’s part of the process.
Maybe you’ve been there. Maybe you’re standing on the edge of your own pivot right now, looking down at the unknown and wondering if you’re completely out of your mind for even considering it.
You’re not.
You’re human.
You’re allowed to change your mind. You’re allowed to outgrow things—jobs, cities, relationships, even versions of yourself. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is admit that something isn’t working, even if you’ve spent years convincing yourself it should.
Pivoting isn’t always about solving problems. Sometimes it’s about learning what doesn’t work so you can get closer to what does. I thought I’d find my answers by slowing down, moving back home to Vancouver—the city I grew up in. After years of burnout, I needed to recharge, and Vancouver gave me that. It was the slower pace I craved, the familiarity I thought I needed. But once I started feeling like myself again, I realized Vancouver wasn’t where I wanted to stay. It wasn’t working anymore. That’s when London came into the picture. I wasn’t running away—but looking for a new perspective, something that would push me out of my comfort zone and keep me from falling back into old patterns. London felt like the right kind of challenge, a place that would force me to grow in ways I hadn’t before.
And I’m okay with the idea that London might not be forever. There will likely be many more pivots in my future. I’ve given up on the search for permanence. That’s not what these pivots are about anymore. It’s not about finding “the one” place or “the one” thing that completes me. It’s about growth. Every pivot I’ve made has led me somewhere different, taught me something new, and gotten me a little closer to where I’m supposed to be—wherever that is.
Creatively, I’ve learned that pivoting isn’t a failure—it’s a reset. It’s those moments when the project you’ve poured yourself into just isn’t clicking, no matter how many times you push through. Instead of forcing it, I’ve learned to step back, shift perspective, and let things breathe. Turns out, the best ideas usually show up when you’re not forcing them to. Imagine that.
The thing about life is that we often think everyone else has it all figured out, while we’re the only ones spinning in circles. But let’s be honest, most of us are just making it up as we go. We’re all pivoting, whether we admit it or not—sometimes in big, bold ways, sometimes in smaller, more personal shifts. We pivot when the path we’re on stops making sense. We pivot because staying stuck is worse than the uncertainty of what’s next.
And yeah, sometimes it’s messy. Sometimes you’ll leap and land face-first in the mud. But every time you pivot, you’re getting closer to what feels right. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve learned that the goal isn’t to walk a straight line. It’s about embracing the twists, the turns, the messy pivots, and trusting that wherever you land, it’s still progress.
So maybe you’re at the edge of your own pivot right now. Maybe it’s terrifying, maybe it’s thrilling—or maybe it’s both. Whatever it is, know this: life’s not about sticking to the plan. It’s about being brave enough to change it when the plan stops feeling like your own. You don’t have to know where the pivot will take you, just that you’re strong enough to make it.
The magic is never in having all the answers. It’s in being willing to pivot, knowing the next move might just lead you somewhere better than you imagined.
— The Friday Club — A digital hangout where movie nights, shower epiphanies, and life's charming chaos collide. From writer and creator Ash [of @the.ashfiles], expect weekly musings, honest stories, and a reminder that we’re all just winging this thing called “adulthood”. 🎬✍🏻📚
I’ve also recently found your TikTok and your content resonated with me as well. As a 28 year old, I’m in the midst of my “pivot”. In less than a week, I’ll be moving to Spain for a few months. I’m not sure what will come of it, but all I know is it’s the right step into whatever direction I’m heading to. Finding your content and following your journey has been comforting knowing I’m not doing this next step alone and there are many others like me.
I recently found your tik toks and your content has really been resonating with me. I've lived in London for the past 3 years and I am starting to feel a bit burned out, and like I need a pivot. So this post came at exactly the right time. I've been considering moving back home to Delhi again because I have been craving the familiarity. comfort and a slower life for a bit but I cant seem to convince myself that its the right place for me. Anyways, the uncertainty of not knowing if it will work out is scary. But thank you for sharing your thoughts <3