What I've learned over coffee so far

As you know, I’m fully focused on networking at the moment, which means I’ve been sharing coffee and conversations with a variety of people. Alongside this, I’ve been diving into as many courses as possible (LinkedIn Learning has been fantastic), and I’m about to start an in-depth course on journalistic writing.

I’m really enjoying this period of investing in myself—developing a new rhythm, gaining valuable insights, and reconnecting with people I haven’t seen in a long time. What stands out to me most is the joy of approaching these conversations without any specific expectations — just being open, enjoying the company and feeling inspired.

"Meeting with people is the best first step when exploring your next career move"

So, what have I learned from these conversations so far, both directly and indirectly? Here’s my list:

1. Health is everything. Take it seriously. Prioritize rest and spending time with your loved ones (and pets!) before work.
2. Freelance work isn’t for everyone—and it might not be for me either—but I’m excited to explore it and see where it takes me.
3. This is a unique point in my life where I have nothing to lose in terms of work. I’ve worked hard for years, and now I have the freedom to decide how I want to spend the rest of my (working) life. What an incredible privilege!
4. Stop overthinking and start doing. Focus on one step at a time. There’s no need to rush.
5. Meeting with people is the best first step when exploring your next career move.
6. Nobody can tell me what to do next—only I can decide. Listening to others’ experiences helps me clarify my own path, but the choice is ultimately mine.

That’s it for now! I hope some of these takeaways resonate with you, no matter where you are in your (work) life. Some of these lessons were already guiding me, but these conversations have reinforced their importance.

If I could leave you with one piece of advice, it’s this: have coffee with someone - whether it’s a familiar face or someone new - and let the ideas brew!

Warm greetings from your coffee psychologist, Co ☕️