squiggly careers are here to stay.

Like most people, I once thought my career would follow a tidy, predictable path.

I was never really sure what I wanted to be when I grew up. So, I went to uni and studied media, politics, and sociology.

After graduating, I leaned towards a job that felt safe and stable, even if it wasn’t the most exciting choice.

Once I felt ready to move on, I joined a company that didn’t fully match my values, but the role was as dreamy as they get.

Fast forward to my move to Amsterdam, it felt like hitting the reset button all over again—new role, new company, new expectations.

Then, a layoff happened, which unexpectedly led me to coaching, and I built a business that felt like a concoction of all I learned and cared about.

Looking back, each twist and turn shaped who I am today and the impact I want to make—even though, at the time, much of it felt completely random.

As a career coach, I share the same approach with my clients. Careers are wonderfully squiggly because that’s exactly what growth looks like.

There are so many places and roles where we can make the impact we want, and embracing change—even the unexpected—will not take that away from us.

about the author:

Hi there! I'm Silja, the founder of the wholesome growth club, an inclusive hub for career coaching with a soft spot for introverts and perfectionists. I’m an Amsterdam-based expat, but I love connecting with people worldwide. With a background in recruiting, I know the struggle of crafting a career path that feels truly yours. At the wholesome growth club, we're all about fostering sustainable growth, meaningful engagement, and authentic connections. Our blog is dedicated to making coaching accessible and sharing insights to approach work and life with an extra dose of confidence, slow productivity, and self-compassion. If you are curious to make things happen for yourself, get in touch—we offer personalized coaching journeys that will get you closer to your (dreamy) goals in no time.