Anne was working as a merchandiser for a department store when she came to Careerology.
She was on long-term sick leave and felt completely stuck.
Returning to work filled her with dread.
Leaving her job felt frightening.
She couldn’t see a way forward.
Like many people, she felt caught between two difficult choices.
The Challenges
Anne’s confidence had fallen dramatically.
She felt overwhelmed by her situation and struggled to communicate with her employer.
The longer she remained away from work, the more impossible the decision seemed.
She knew something had to change.
She just didn’t know what.
How Coaching Helped
Together, we slowed everything down.
Rather than rushing into another job, we explored what was really important to Anne.
Her values.
Her strengths.
Her interests.
Gradually, it became clear that returning to her previous role wasn’t the right decision for her.
We supported Anne through conversations with her employer, helped her negotiate her leaving arrangements, and began exploring a future that better reflected who she was.
Where She Is Now
Today, Anne is volunteering at a stables in a role she loves.
She has also started working on a freelance basis caring for dogs, gaining valuable experience in an area she’s genuinely passionate about.
She has developed new CVs that reflect the direction she now wants to take.
Perhaps the biggest change, though, wasn’t practical.
It was personal.
Anne rediscovered hope.
What Changed?
- Left a job that no longer suited her
- Rebuilt her confidence
- Reconnected with her values
- Started meaningful voluntary work
- Began building experience in a new career direction
- Felt hopeful about the future again
In Anne’s Words
“When we started, I really needed someone by my side… I now know what doesn’t serve me anymore. A few months ago, I was surviving. Now I feel I have things to look forward to… I was in a black hole. I didn’t know where to start. I now know where I’m going.”
Anne received support from Careerology’s In-Work Support Service in Southwark. Find out more about this service here.