Didn’t Find the Perfect Job, but Found the Perfect Rug

Remember the times you couldn’t wait to be an adult? And then adulthood arrived, and suddenly you were buried under endless “adulting” tasks. Or remember how badly you wanted to be done with school, only to graduate, enter the workforce, and realize that now the grind stretches on for many, many years unless you find another path. Either way, it seems like some form of grinding is inevitable.

I remember when I first graduated and landed my job. It was one of the most exciting times of my life. I got a job right after graduation—my big girl job. My own office. I bought my first car with my own money. Life felt like a series of milestones, and I enjoyed every bit of it. Everything was new, challenging, and exciting. It all felt perfect.

Then I got promoted, worked on some awesome projects, and still felt pretty amazing. But I think I’ve reached a point in my career where my current job no longer excites me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m incredibly grateful to have a job, especially in this job market. But gratitude aside, I’ve outgrown this position. I don’t find joy in my work anymore, and I guess that’s normal. When you’ve been in one place for over five years, that feeling tends to creep in.

You might ask, then, why don’t you move to another job? That’s exactly what brings me here.

I’ve applied to several jobs and interviewed for a few, but nothing seems to be working out right now. A few months ago, I was ghosted by a recruiter for a role I thought I was a perfect fit for. Then there was another job, also very close to a perfect fit, that didn’t work out either. I didn’t interview once or twice for that one; I interviewed three times. And yet, it still didn’t go in my favor.

Naturally, I felt rejected. I questioned myself. At one point, I even had a mental breakdown. I took it pretty hard. And I understand why—I attached a lot of value to that opportunity. Each additional interview raised my hopes, and I started believing this could finally be my way out of my current situation.

Again, don’t get me wrong. I work with amazing people on a super flexible team. But I’ve outgrown my role, and I need a different environment—one that’s challenging, but in a healthier way. A place where I’m mentally stimulated, stretched, and growing. And I think I allowed myself to dream of that.

Honestly, none of the roles I interviewed for this year were particularly exciting on their own. But they represented change, and that was enough to keep me going.

If you know me, you know I can’t help but get a little philosophical. But really, how do you deal with life and its challenges without philosophy? :D In the grand scheme of things, maybe all of this is happening for the greater good, even if I can’t see it right now. As cliché as it sounds, maybe this isn’t rejection at all—it’s redirection. Maybe there’s a better fit out there for me. A role that aligns more closely with my values and interests.

And that brings me to the story of my perfect rug.

This past week, we found the perfect rug for our dining area after searching for six months. We went to several stores, bought a couple of rugs, and returned them because they just didn’t feel right. The design was off, or the size wasn’t quite right. But this week, we finally found one with the perfect design and the perfect size for our space.

There were moments when I thought, let me just get this over with and buy one already. But then I reminded myself: this is my home. This is the space where I spend so much time. If something doesn’t sit right with me, if it doesn’t bring me joy or peace, and instead makes me think, ugh, what kind of decision did I make?—then what’s the point?

It took us six months of searching, buying, returning, and trying again to find that one rug. And now, it brings me so much joy. It enhances our space and makes it feel complete.

Maybe it’s not just about the rug. Maybe it’s the same with my job situation. Maybe the universe is redirecting me toward something more aligned with my values, toward work that will bring me joy and fulfillment. If something as small as a rug deserves patience and intentionality, then why would I settle when it comes to my work, the very thing we attach meaning, identity, and purpose to? Why worry over a job that was never meant for you?

So I’m bringing that rug energy into my job search. Maybe not being chosen simply means I didn’t fit into a space that wasn’t meant for me. And when the time comes, I’ll fit somewhere just as perfectly as that rug fits in my dining room.

If you’ve felt this way, if you’ve felt rejected in any area of your life this year—I invite you to get a little philosophical with me. What feels like rejection may actually be redirection. It might not make sense now, but one day it will. You’ll find a place where you fit like a puzzle piece, and everything will fall into place.

So lately, I’ve been trying to show up for myself while also cutting myself a little slack. I’m still doing the work, still trying, but I’m learning not to beat myself up when things don’t go the way I hoped they would.

With the year coming to an end, I’ve found myself looking back at everything it’s taught me, the good and the hard, and thinking about what I actually want to carry forward. Maybe this is one of those moments to pause, take a breath, let go of some of the pressure, and see what this year has quietly been trying to teach me. If you’re in the same boat, you might find yourself doing the same.

Now that I’ve put it out there, I’ll let you reflect a little too.

Happy Holidays!
See you next year ☺️