July 23, 2025 - Recalculating My Career GPS: The Shift I Didn’t Know I Needed

 (a personal story about recognizing the quiet unease and choosing a new route)

I wasn’t unhappy. But I wasn’t fulfilled either.

From the outside, it looked like I had a successful career. Inside, I felt torn… and tired!

I kept trying to switch to the “scenic” setting I longed for… but I was always brought back to the “standard” GPS setting of my profession.

And that tension was draining me!

Christelle Soto-Suarez

 

At some point, I had to ask myself:

“What do I really want from my career and what GPS setting would go with that… and what’s my GPS set to right now?”

🎯 From "Standard" to "Scenic"

I realized I had been spending too much time following a path I didn’t choose (not fully, anyway). I was climbing the career ladder, yes, but rarely pausing to ask if I even wanted what was at the top!

I kept telling myself: “That’s how it works.”

Until one day, it didn’t.

That quiet unease? It was my cue to recalculate.

“I was in a situation where I felt really torn between the standard setting… and only occasionally switching to the scenic one. I was spending too much time on the standard, and it was draining me!”

🕒 What Needed to Change

Before anything shifted, I had to slow down.

Not quit. Not escape. Just pause long enough to see clearly.

I asked myself different questions:

  • What had I learned from my past experiences?
  • What wasn’t working anymore?
  • What did I want to feel, not just achieve?

This wasn’t about fixing myself.

“It was about knowing what wasn’t working anymore, and deciding what I wanted from my career - not what was expected.”

🧭 One Small Step

I didn’t leap.

I didn’t burn bridges.

At least, not at the beginning (but that’s another story!)…

I took one small, meaningful step: a reflection, a conversation, a test, a journal entry.

And then another.

Each one added clarity, confidence, and eventually momentum.

“You don’t need to overhaul everything at once—just notice what your GPS is set to, and whether it’s still right for you.”

🌱 Self-Leadership Starts Small

Today, I get to use the scenic setting intentionally.

I’m still on the road, but, this time, I’m in the driver’s seat (most of the time!)!

And I know I’m not alone!

If you’ve ever felt stuck on autopilot or like your energy is going into a path that no longer fits, this might be your moment to pull over and check your GPS.

“Progress started not with a big leap, but with one intentional step that felt like mine.”

✨ Ready to recalculate?

If you're ready to start, even quietly, here are a few ways we can stay in touch:

You get to lead your life - on your terms, one small, bold step at a time!

👋 About Me

I’m Christelle Soto-Suarez, founder of Pistachio-Cassis Coaching. I support mid-level professionals who feel quietly stuck to get back in the driver’s seat - without overwhelm.

Let’s find your GPS setting, together!

managers who feel stuck or unseen in their careers, and to help them take small but meaningful steps toward that “better life/career” they dream of, without the overwhelm.