How to Make Peace With Career Detours

Careers, much like life itself, rarely move in straight lines. We start out with a plan, a vision of where we’re headed and a timeline to match. Perhaps you imagined yourself climbing the corporate ladder, running your own business, or pursuing a creative passion that would one day pay the bills. But then life happens. Plans shift, opportunities disappear, and suddenly, you find yourself on a completely different path, wondering, “How did I end up here?”

It’s easy to feel frustrated or even defeated when your career takes an unexpected turn. Society loves a good success story, but we often only hear about the highlights, the promotions, the dream jobs, the big wins. What’s left out is the messy, winding road that most people travel to get there.

Career detours aren’t dead ends. They’re opportunities in disguise, chances to grow, learn, and discover things about yourself you never knew. Making peace with career detours isn’t just about accepting them, it’s recognising their value and using them to your advantage.

 The Myth of the “Perfect Career Path”

From an early age, we’re sold the idea that success follows a clear, linear path. Study hard, get a good job, work your way up, retire comfortably. It’s a neat little formula until life throws a spanner in the works. Maybe you were made redundant. Maybe your dream job wasn’t so dreamy after all. Or maybe you realised, halfway through your career, that what you thought you wanted no longer makes you happy.

The truth is, very few people follow a “perfect” career path. Take Vera Wang, for example. Before becoming one of the most celebrated fashion designers in the world, she was a competitive figure skater and then a journalist at Vogue. She didn’t design her first wedding dress until she was 40. Imagine if she had clung to the idea of staying on one path she might never have discovered her true calling.

Or consider Steve Jobs. After being ousted from Apple, the company he co-founded, he could have seen it as a failure. Instead, he used that time to start new ventures like Pixar, which revolutionised the animation industry. When he eventually returned to Apple, he brought with him a fresh perspective that helped transform it into one of the most valuable companies in the world.

These stories remind us that the “perfect” career path doesn’t exist. What does exist is the ability to adapt, reinvent and find meaning in the detours.

 Why Career Detours Happen

Career detours can happen for a variety of reasons, some within your control, others not. Perhaps the industry you’re in is changing, or your personal circumstances demand a shift in priorities. Maybe you’re simply outgrowing your current role.

The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, forced millions of people to rethink their careers. Entire industries were disrupted and many were left with no choice but to pivot. But for some, this unexpected detour became an opportunity to explore new interests, start businesses, or prioritise work-life balance in ways they hadn’t before.

The key is recognising that career detours are not a sign of failure. They’re often a natural response to changing circumstances, both internal and external.

How to Make Peace With Career Detours

So, how do you make peace with a career that doesn’t look the way you thought it would? It starts with shifting your mindset and embracing the opportunities that come with change.

1. Reframe the Narrative

Stop seeing detours as setbacks and start viewing them as part of the journey. Every experience no matter how unexpected teaches you something valuable. Maybe that uninspiring job taught you resilience. Maybe being laid off pushed you to explore an industry you never considered.

Take Meryl Streep, for instance. Early in her career, after a failed audition for King Kong, she was told she wasn’t “pretty enough” for Hollywood. Instead of letting that rejection define her, she used it as fuel to pursue roles that showcased her talent. Today, she’s one of the most respected actors of all time.

Your career detour isn’t the end of your story, it’s simply a plot twist.

2. Focus on Growth, Not Perfection

Detours often force you out of your comfort zone, which is where real growth happens. Instead of fixating on what you haven’t achieved, focus on the skills, experiences and relationships you’re building along the way.

For example, if you’ve had to switch industries, think about the transferable skills you’re gaining. Communication, problem-solving, adaptability, these are assets in any field.

3. Redefine Success

Success doesn’t have to mean climbing a ladder. For some, it’s about financial stability. For others, it’s about creativity, flexibility, or making a difference. Your definition of success might change over time and that’s okay.

Think about Maya Angelou, who held dozens of jobs before becoming a celebrated writer. She was a dancer a singer, a civil rights activist and even a streetcar conductor. Her career path wasn’t linear, but each role contributed to the incredible legacy she left behind.

4. Build a Support Network

Navigating career detours can feel isolating, but you’re not alone. Seek out mentors, friends, or online communities who can offer advice and encouragement. Sometimes, just hearing someone else’s story can remind you that detours are normal and survivable.

5. Trust the Process

It’s easy to feel impatient when things don’t go as planned. But trust that every step, even the missteps, are leading you somewhere meaningful. As the saying goes, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking back.”

Real-Life Examples of Career Reinvention

Career detours often lead to reinvention. Take Julia Child, for example. She didn’t start cooking professionally until her late 30s, after working in advertising and intelligence during World War II. Her detour into cooking not only brought her personal joy but also revolutionised how America approached French cuisine.

Or look at Trevor Noah, who grew up in apartheid South Africa and had a turbulent start to life. His journey from stand-up comedian to host of The Daily Show wasn’t a straight line, but each detour taught him resilience, adaptability and the power of storytelling.

The Hidden Blessings of Career Detours

Career detours often give us something we didn’t know we needed: perspective. They force us to pause, reflect and reassess what we truly want. They teach us to be flexible, resourceful, and courageous.

Sometimes, a detour is exactly what we need to discover new passions or untapped potential. And even if it feels uncomfortable in the moment, it’s often the discomfort that drives us to grow.

Career detours can feel unsettling, especially when they’re unexpected. But they’re also opportunities, chances to learn, reinvent and explore paths you might never have considered. Success isn’t about sticking to a rigid plan; it’s about navigating the twists and turns with grace and determination.

So, if you’re facing a career detour, take heart. You’re not lost you’re simply on a different road. Trust that this path, however winding, is leading you somewhere worthwhile. And who knows? You might just end up somewhere better than you ever imagined.