Here’s a common thought PhDs have when thinking about leaving academia: “I love A, B, C, and worry I will have to give them all up.”
And I completely get it.
But actually, you don’t.
Let me explain using myself as an example here.
As much as my PhD was a challenging time in many respects, I absolutely loved my dead dudes. (I did my doctorate in history.)
Going to the archives was the best thing ever.
But here’s the thing: I don’t miss it.
And clearly that’s not a dig because I do have very fond memories!
It turns out I can love multiple things. And so can you.
As much as I thought going to the archives was the coolest ever, so too are other things.
My passion for reading old letters and diaries is not dissimilar to my passion for reading and hearing the stories of PhDs changing careers.
Eh?
So my challenge to you is to dig deeper into what you love. Leaving academia doesn’t mean you’ll have to abandon them.
Keep reminding yourself that the roots of any one particular passion can and will grow into other strong interests, like branches on your own tree of things you’re passionate about.
(Awkward metaphor; you understand!)