Some of the challenges that coaching clients bring to our sessions boil down to the question: “What should I do with my life?” It’s certainly a question I’ve asked myself over the years when my career seemed to be heading off track.
The question can feel overwhelming because the words carry both the weight of possibility and also the burden of uncertainty.
We tend to ask this question when something doesn’t feel quite right. Perhaps our career no longer excites us, maybe our circumstances have shifted, or we simply feel stuck. Often, the question pops up at times of transition, at the start of a new academic year, after a promotion, or when the familiar routines begin to feel draining.
For teachers, the question can feel especially pressing. The new school year brings fresh challenges, changing policies, new classes, and expectations from every direction. Our sense of purpose may waver and the thought of another year with the same pressures can create anxiety, fatigue and a sense of dread. Not surprisingly, at times like these, the bigger life questions can begin to surface.
It could be that your current path no longer aligns with your values, energy, or aspirations. Or perhaps you’ve outgrown your role. Maybe your circumstances outside of work have changed. And sometimes, it’s simply because you’ve been too busy to reflect and the summer break has provided the space for you to notice you’re living on autopilot.
In addition, for many of us, the question is tied up with identity. Teaching isn’t just a job; it becomes part of who we are. That’s why leaving, or simply thinking about leaving, can feel like betraying a part of ourselves. At the same time, staying without reflecting on our purpose can lead to burnout.
Please know that asking a question such as “What should I do with my life?” is not a sign of weakness or failure, but a sign of growth and opportunity. By tackling the question, some teachers rediscover ways to thrive in the classroom: reshaping their workload, setting new boundaries, or finding fresh joy in their subject. Others find fulfilment by stepping into leadership or exploring new roles within education. And yes, some make the bold decision to move on entirely, using the skills that made them brilliant teachers to build new careers in other fields.
The key is not to rush to the answer, but to give yourself the space to live with the question until clarity comes. And perhaps consider that a more helpful and more gentle question than “What should I do with my life?” is: “What would I like to do with my life?”
Notice the subtle but important difference. “Should” carries duty, pressure, and external expectation. “Would I like” opens the door to curiosity, joy, and personal choice. Shifting the question in this way can help you reconnect with what truly lights you up, rather than what you feel obliged to pursue.
For a teacher facing the start of another academic year, this might mean rediscovering the classroom moments that feel meaningful, building balance by nurturing interests outside of work, or even exploring new career paths that better align with their strengths and passions.
In the end, the question isn’t about finding one final, permanent answer. It’s about recognising that your life is a work in progress. Giving yourself permission to explore, adjust, and evolve may be the most powerful way to find your answer.
Photo credit: Iqbal Hossain on Unsplash