Éric Simoneau had an “enviable” situation. A stable salary. A management job. But then, in 2019, he dropped everything to reorient himself. Today, in the communications and audiovisual sector, he is happy.
He took the plunge after a summer break. And he wouldn’t be the only one. Summer vacation is the second time of year when most people make resolutions and reorient themselves, after the New Year, according to psychologist Geneviève Beaulieu-Pelletier.
“Normally, we’re on autopilot. When I’m in my yard waiting for my meal on the barbecue and I’m looking at the cedars, I take the time to stop. I can think,” notes M.me Beaulieu-Pelletier, who works with people who are changing careers within his practice.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
It was after returning from a two-week family trip that Éric Simoneau decided to change direction.
“Vacation is a time to take a break from the hectic pace of daily life,” she adds. It can lead to thoughts about career and financial goals, among other things.
This is what happened in the case of Éric Simoneau. “I was too busy driving my car all the time, but I didn’t take the time to stop and put gas in.”
The former compensation director was “suffocating” in his first career in human resources. However, sometimes, it takes two or three punches to the face to fall to the mat and make the change, he imagines.
In one year, he had three. His wife believes she has a diagnosis of cancer recurrence, which fortunately turns out to be negative. Then he listens A Star Is Born on the plane back from a trip. The revelation? You have to follow your dreams. And his is no longer to work in human resources. And finally, his friend tells him to stop imagining his ideal life and create it.
Upon returning from a two-week family trip, his decision was made. He wanted to reorient himself. “The Éric Simoneau of 23 was no longer the same at 44.” If the questioning had started before the trip, it was this break that instigated the change.
Taking the leap, with or without financial security
Julien, 24, also changed his environment after returning from a trip. That was in 2023. Three weeks in Europe later, the philosophy student decided to find a job in intervention in a center for young people who had dropped out of school. At the same time, he reduced his expenses to “a minimum.”
Alexandre Diaz did the same with his spending. After a financially volatile year due to his restaurant and movie jobs, he wanted to get “his finances back on track.” No more dining out. No more coffee. Fewer bar hopping. He was already a very low spender. He’s “lucky.” His personal rent in a four-and-a-half-bedroom apartment costs $600, all in. A year later, his resolutions are still standing, but it was summer that triggered them.
“Those who have financial stability are worried about losing it,” says M.me Beaulieu-Pelletier. This is one of the main obstacles to a change of direction. Guidance counsellor Amélie Lesage-Avon agrees. Many will hesitate for a long time, others will never dare to change direction. “Many changes of direction depend on the external financial resources that people have [et] of financial risk tolerance,” she judges.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Geneviève Beaulieu-Pelletier, psychologist
For Julien, fresh out of high school and without financial stability, the leap was easier.
Yet, even with a paying job, it is possible, believes Éric Simoneau. For him, the risk was greater if he stayed in the same job than if he changed. He was no longer happy. When he returned from his trip, his wife convinced him to take a three-month unpaid leave to think things over. He would never set foot in the office again.
For Amélie Lesage-Avon, it is important to ask yourself whether you should run away from your job or choose a new career. And never make an abrupt decision.
Eric Simoneau has chosen. Today he is a free agent. He works on projects in communications and audiovisual. His only criteria? Getting out of his comfort zone and having fun.
The one who has a master’s degree in administration from HEC Montréal admits, however, that he has an “abnormal” financial situation. He has a lot of money set aside. He is not a prisoner of his salary and his life cycle. His income has increased, but his expenses, not so much.
He travels often. But he drives a 2012 Fiat with 116,000 km, he imagines. And he lives in a more modest house on the South Shore. His wife also earns a professional salary. They have a son.
At 49, Mr. Simoneau describes himself as semi-retired and wants to stay that way. “Why stop when you’re having fun?” He used to be stressed. He always wanted to perform well and be efficient. Any inconvenience was his responsibility. Today, he’s somewhere else.