Listen Up, Future Self (or Anyone Else Doing This):
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Burn this into your brain: this moment. The uncertainty, the excitement, the day you took the plunge because staying put was a slow burn. If you’re looking back at this in a few years, hope you’ve got something to show for it. And if you’re still figuring things out? Don’t you dare stop.
Keep asking questions, keep your eyes on the prize, and keep betting on your gut. That fear you’re feeling? It means you’re on the verge of something big. Let the process do its thing, keep putting in the work, and remember – steady wins. You can do this.
Here’s the truth: even the best roles can start to feel like a cage if they’re not feeding your passion. I spent 6+ years as Head of Content Marketing and Branding at Ampifire, mastering strategy, copywriting, storytelling, and team leadership.
But 2023 hit me hard. The company had grown from a small, dynamic team to something bigger and more structured. My role shifted from pushing boundaries and trying crazy stuff to just to… well, the same old routine. Still feeling the burn from burnout, I had to admit: I wasn’t inspired anymore.
So, I walked. Scary as hell, but necessary. I had to build something that actually meant something to me.
For me, thriving means more than hitting targets or filling spreadsheets. It’s about wrestling with tough problems, chasing crazy ideas, and building stuff that makes me want to jump out of bed in the morning. When that spark started to fizzle out, I knew it wasn’t just a new job I needed; it was a whole new direction.
That’s what led me to leap into AI and EdTech. It felt like my skills and my passions finally clicked into place. This wasn’t just a career change; it was a breakthrough that changed how I see my work and what I’m actually here to do
The Anxiety of Starting Over
Quitting sounds like a power move on LinkedIn, right? Let me tell you how that fairytale ends: with a faceplant into the reality of the job hunt.
The first few weeks after I bailed felt like stepping off a cliff and hoping the parachute I praying that cheap parachute I bought on AliExpress actually opened. I threw myself into the job hunt, spamming my resume into the void, only to get back a steady stream of ‘thanks, but no thanks’ – if I was lucky enough to even get that.
Each one stung, but the truth was, I wasn’t just after another gig to pay the bills. I was looking for something that actually felt like me.
That realization pushed me to ask myself some tough but important questions:
- What kind of work actually gets me hyped?
- What problems am I actually itching to solve daily?
- What are my non-negotiables in my career?
- What mark do I want to leave?
- What do I want my workday to actually feel like?
- What kind of challenges make me think, "Bring it on," even when they're a pain in the ass?
- When was the last time I built something and thought, "Damn, that's good"? Why? Really why?
- What's that one thing I've always been curious about but haven't had the balls to try yet?
- If I could fix one thing in the world, what would it be—and why does it actually piss me off?
- What do people constantly bug me for help with?
- What kind of environment lets me actually do my best work?
- When have I felt most “in flow” at work, and what was I doing?
- What do I want to be known for when people talk about my career?
- What do I admire about the careers of people I actually respect?
I dove headfirst into self-exploration—career tests, journaling, hours of reflection—trying to piece together what mattered to me. And then, it clicked.
Here’s the thing about me: I’m a learning junkie. Always have been. Throw a Coursera course my way, a Domestika challenge, a Mindvalley upgrade – I’m all over it. Skillshare, Udemy, Lynda – you name the platform, I’ve probably OD’d on knowledge there. Curiosity? Not a pastime, it’s a goddamn addiction. Education? That’s where I come alive.
The answer wasn’t just about the skills I’d picked up along the way; it was about the impact I was itching to make. Education? Always been a soft spot. The thought of creating stuff that actually helps people learn? That’s the stuff that gets me fired up.
That clarity? It was like flipping a switch. Suddenly, my storytelling, branding, and strategy background wasn’t just a random collection of skills – it was a toolkit I could finally use for something that mattered.
Forget ‘starting from scratch.’ I was starting with a whole lot of firepower.
So, I Pivoted to EdTech (But First, I Got My Act Together)
A career pivot is more than just updating your resume. For me, it was a chance to rethink the whole career game. I realized I needed more than just money; I needed a life that actually worked. So, I doubled down on building the kind of “wealth” that actually matters in the long run.
Time became a weapon. I made intentional investments in my time wealth by ruthlessly cutting out the time-suckers and focused on the projects that genuinely excited me. It wasn’t always easy, but saying “no” became my superpower.
To boost my mental wealth, I embraced learning at every opportunity— my brain became my playground. I dove headfirst into AI, education frameworks, the power of a good story. This wasn’t passive learning; it was about actively equipping myself for the EdTech battlefield.
On the physical wealth side, I finally started treating my body like it wasn’t a rental. Fixed my screwed-up sleep schedule, got back into yoga (surprisingly not terrible), and even started dancing again – because why the hell not? Fueling my body right meant I had the energy to tackle the big stuff.
Turns Out, You Can’t Do It All Alone (And Why Would You Want To?)
Look, when you’re reinventing yourself, you quickly realize you don’t know what you don’t know. That lonely feeling? It’s a signal you need to find your people. And I did.
Forget passive networking. Building social wealth meant actively seeking out the folks who were already doing what I wanted to learn. These communities weren’t just groups; they were where I went to get my hands dirty and figure things out.
Holistic SEO, run by the brilliant Koray Tugberg. That’s where I cracked the code on content optimization. It wasn’t just theory; it was the real-world strategies that actually get results online.
Over in Lumenous by Dr. Shefali. That was the deep dive into the mental game. She helped me untangle the ambition from the anxiety, which, let me tell you, shifted how I approach everything.
Then came AI. AI Fire and the Marketing AI Institute? Those guys lit a fire under me. Suddenly, I was elbow-deep in prompt engineering, wrestling with NLP, even building my own AI sidekick.
And let’s not forget Masterhack, my local crew in Bulgaria. This group of forward-thinking professionals reminded me that some of the brightest minds are right here at home. Being part of a community like this kept me connected to the power of local talent while thinking globally.
Even Tonebase played its part—reigniting my love for the violin gave me a creative outlet that kept me inspired and balanced. These aren’t just groups; they’re my tribe, and they’ve made all the difference.
The result? A career pivot rooted in growth, curiosity, and connection. My work as a content strategist and branding expert gave me the tools to thrive, but this journey taught me how to wield them with intention.
So yeah, bring on 2025 and EdTech. I’m not just ready; I’m geared up and ready to build.
I’m not just ready for what’s next—I’m built for it.
Life’s biggest game-changers often come disguised as risks. Those moments when you’re staring down a decision with zero guarantees and a whole lot on the line.
In the world of EdTech—or any innovative space—this is the reality. Progress comes from navigating the unknown, embracing risks, and trusting your instincts.
It’s kind of like the squirrel that buries nuts, trusting they’ll still be there when winter hits. Does the squirrel know it’ll pay off? Nope. But it takes the leap anyway because the payoff is survival.
As freelancers, copywriters, SEOs, entrepreneurs, or anyone striving for something more, we face a similar choice every day. Stick to the safe, low-risk path? Sure, it’s comfy, but the rewards are usually just as modest.
On the other hand, leaning into challenges — those bold, slightly terrifying moves guided by your vision — that’s where the magic happens. That’s where lives, businesses, and careers transform.
The trick is simple: embrace the risk, bet on your ability to figure it out, and commit like your future depends on it.
Because it does.
Lessons From the Journey
If you’re standing at the edge of a big leap, staring into the unknown, here’s what I want you to take with you:
- Curiosity is your compass. Forget the prescribed path. We’ll start with a question, a nagging feeling, or something that just makes you go “hmm?” Think of it as following that little internal compass – where’s it pointing today?
- Novelty is your not-so-secret weapon. The best ideas often come from trying something totally new. Step outside your usual routine and see what happens. Embrace the unfamiliar.
- Rest is fuel, not failure. Taking time to pause and recharge isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Give your mind space to breathe, and it’ll surprise you with what it comes up with.
- Bet on yourself. You’ve got the skills, the drive, and the vision—so why not you? Take the risk. Trust that you’ll figure it out as you go. If you don’t believe, who will?
- Surround yourself with the right people. Find your pack. Those who lift you, challenge you, believe in the you you’re becoming. Your community isn’t just a support system; it’s a force multiplier. Don’t underestimate the power of the right people in your corner.
- Rejections are just reroutes. Consider every “no” a course correction. Rejections aren’t failures; they’re data points. Learn from them, adjust, and keep moving.
- Get sharp before you swing. Use this time to level up. Invest in yourself —take a course, read the book, attend the conference—whatever it takes to make sure that when opportunity knocks, you’re not just answering, you’re ready to dominate.
- Stay true to your values. When things get messy (and they will), your values become your anchor—the steady reminder of why you started and what truly matters. Your values are not just words on a page. They’ll be guiding you forward with a stoic resilience.
- Find the joy in the process. As Alan Watts said, “This is the real secret of life—to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” Find the damn joy in the climb, the struggle, the small victories. This isn’t just work; it’s your life unfolding.
- Trust the process. Stay focused on your growth and let time do its thing. The results will show up when you’re ready for them.
Take the leap. And if it feels scary, good—that means you’re about to grow.
Building With Purpose
Right now, I’m in the trenches, building educational stuff for kids. And honestly? It hits different. This isn’t about checking boxes or chasing titles; it’s about doing work that matters. Discipline? Still a daily battle (don’t let anyone tell you it’s easy), but when your “why” is this clear, the fight is worth it.
If you’re staring down uncertainty, here’s the deal: lean into it. Let it push you to grow and rethink what’s possible. Yeah, it’s uncomfortable, but that’s where the magic happens. The best ideas, the strongest connections, and the biggest rewards are waiting for you on the other side of the fear.
So, what are you waiting for? Leap. You’ve got the fire.
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