Journeys With Jani

If you had asked me ten years ago what I’d be doing now, I would’ve said something like, “Probably still up to my elbows in fur, vaccinations, and explaining (for the 843rd time) that no, your dog cannot take human ibuprofen.”

Veterinary Medicine was my thing. My heartbeat. My calling. I adored my furry clients, loved their humans (mostly), and prided myself on being that fierce advocate for those who couldn’t speak for themselves. But somewhere along the way, that love started to fray at the edges. It wasn’t the animals — it was the weight of the job. The 24/7 responsibility. The emotional toll. The burnout that silently crept in and made itself right at home.

Did you know that Veterinary Medicine has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession?

Let that sit with you for a second. I mean, it seems like it should be all puppies and kittens, but the reality is a lot heavier than that. I was still “me” — but a version of me that felt stretched too thin, worn down, and barely hanging on some days.

And then, one day, I just… stopped.

I took a leap.

After a six months sabbatical of sorts, my dear friend Tammy called and asked, “Why don’t you come work for me? It won’t pay what you were making, but I think you’d love it.”

And just like that, I traded in the chaos for calm (mostly), exhaustion for excitement, and needles for… passports?

I started part-time at Take Time To Travel, just answering phones, pitching in here and there. It was honestly refreshing not to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. And slowly — so slowly — something started to bloom again.

Me.

I began learning the travel business, planning trips for people, and even took my first cruise (to Alaska, no less — go big or go home, y’all). Three years later, I feel like I’ve hit the joy jackpot. Not the make-a-bazillion-dollars jackpot — let’s not get crazy — but the wake-up-smiling, love-your-job, soul-deep-joy kind.

I work with a group of women who are family. Our office feels more like a sitcom than a workplace most days — in the best way. We laugh, we fuss, we support the hell out of each other. Our fearless leader is like a mom, keeping her wild daughters in line (and trust me, that’s no easy task).

I get to help people dream big, then turn those dreams into boarding passes.

I get to explore this beautiful world.

I get to keep learning every single day in a business that is always evolving.

And most of all?

I got me back.

So yeah, describing one positive change I’ve made in my life?

Hands down — changing careers midstream.

And if you’re out there wondering if it’s too late, too hard, too risky to chase joy — honey, it’s not. You just have to believe you’re worth the change.

Because trust me — you are.