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My Journey from Dead-End Jobs to Purposeful Work

My career journey began when I was 16. I told my parents I wanted to work during the summer holidays, and my father—proud and supportive—helped me find a job. Soon, I started working in a warehouse for one of the largest medical companies in Croatia. I labeled products, including medications, and was grateful to earn my own pocket money. It felt good to have a non-demanding job and contribute to my independence.

Years later, around age 21 or 22, I returned to that same warehouse job while preparing to transfer from medical school to nursing college. During my nursing studies, I worked as a medical receptionist at our family clinic. It was then that I truly understood what people meant by “dead-end jobs.”

Each day, I managed appointments, billing, patient greetings, office supplies, and cleanliness. But the most draining task was answering 20 to 50 phone calls daily—often from impatient or rude people. Despite my efforts, the job felt repetitive and emotionally exhausting. I stayed there for nearly seven years, until we eventually closed the clinic.

Burnout in Retail: A Wake-Up Call

Next, I worked as a sales advisor at H&M during the hectic winter season. The job was advertised as 30 hours per week, which I assumed meant five 6-hour shifts. In reality, I often worked 11 to 12 days in a row, for more than six hours each day. It was there that I truly experienced the harshness of modern capitalism. I left after only 2.5 months.

Years later, I discovered that workplace bullying—or mobbing—was common there, a fact shared with me by colleagues who had spoken to former employees. No wonder the store manager, who interviewed me on my birthday, was so insistent about long-term commitment. In my naivety, I believed that job would work out. I had read mostly negative reviews, but I thought my store would be different. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.

After leaving that role, I took time to heal my mental health. I initially thought I was experiencing burnout, but I’ve since realized the real issue was working in jobs that weren’t aligned with my soul—dead-end jobs that drained me.

I often joke that in my country, your career options are limited to sales assistant, waiter, nurse, or police officer. In other words, real opportunities are rare—you have to create your own.

Misalignment and Mental Health

After recovering, I tried again and began working at L’Occitane as a beauty advisor. I loved their products and was genuinely passionate about learning and sharing them. The store was lovely, my coworkers kind—but once again, I found myself overwhelmed. Six-day work weeks, only four days off a month, low pay, and constant pressure to sell. It became too much. Again, I thought it was burnout—but it was really misalignment with my purpose.

Even then, I hadn’t fully learned the lesson. Deep down, I knew my soul’s calling was to connect people through writing. But under immense financial and social pressure, I betrayed that calling and took jobs I knew I would hate.

Your Twin Flame Career Path Is Unique

By sharing this with you, I want to remind you of something important: every Twin Flame has a unique life purpose. Only you and your Twin Flame can fulfill it. It’s sacred. And honoring that purpose requires immense courage. You’ll have to say “no” to things that don’t align with your soul and say “yes” to the unknown. You’ll need to trust—especially when things feel scary, messy, or uncertain.

The scariest part of following your soul’s path is that it often means going against the grain. You must carve your own way—especially as a Twin Flame. If I could go back in time, I’d ask myself:

• Am I working from a place of fear?
• Can I express my gifts in this job?
• Is this job hurting my mental health?

Maybe I had to go through those experiences to learn these lessons, but I have no desire to repeat them. And even though I said I hadn’t fully learned the lesson—I’m facing similar challenges now—I feel this time is different. I know I’m done with this cycle.

I have to trust that God will provide a path aligned with my purpose. I can’t continue treating a stable income as my god. The Bible teaches us to seek God first, and all else will be added.

So here’s my message—both for you and for myself: pursue your dreams relentlessly. Dream big. Work hard. But know that work becomes play when you do what you love.

Bottom line: Do what you love—that is your purpose.

Key Takeaways for Your Career Alignment Journey

• Burnout often comes from working out of alignment—not just overworking.
• Dead-end jobs are everywhere, but you don’t have to settle.
• Your Twin Flame mission is unique. Only you can live it.
• Say yes to your purpose—even when it’s uncertain.
• When you do what you love, work becomes play.

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✨ Final Thoughts: Follow Your Passion, Not the Paycheck

If you’re feeling stuck in a job that doesn’t align with your heart—trust that you’re not alone. The path to a purpose-driven life may be messy, but it’s worth it.