Change vs. Gratitude
Sometimes, in the desire for change, we forget to pause and look at what we already have. The things we once worked hard for. The experiences that shaped us. The life that, at some point, felt like progress.
In aviation especially, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Long days, early sign-ons, fatigue that builds quietly, pressure to perform, missed birthdays, strained relationships, difficult colleagues, rosters that don’t always feel fair. When you’re tired, your world can shrink. You start noticing only what’s heavy, what’s frustrating, what’s missing.
If this job no longer brings you joy, if you consistently struggle to see meaning in it, or if dissatisfaction follows you no matter the roster, aircraft, or destination, it’s worth stopping for a moment and asking an honest question:
Are these thoughts coming from exhaustion and overload, or from a deeper, genuine misalignment with where you are right now?
Sometimes, the answer is real dissatisfaction. And if that’s the case, change may be necessary - a different role, a different operator, or even a different path altogether. That’s not failure. That’s listening to yourself.
But more often than not, what we actually need is a pause. Space to breathe. Space to rearrange our thoughts before making big decisions.
In those moments, it helps to be intentional about where your attention goes and which conversations you stay in. Sometimes that means choosing to read a book or a manual (yep, I said it) instead of listening to the same complaints about rosters, spouses, children, or how unfair everything feels. Sometimes it means taking a cart down in economy and creating distance from the senior crew member who has been saying for the past ten years that they hate this job and will resign any day now.
It can also look like having a chat with a passenger or sitting with a more junior colleague. Both are often a reminder of why we started all of this in the first place. And sometimes it simply means not joining in when dissatisfaction becomes the default topic again, whether it is about the hotel, the layover, or the operation. This isn’t about judging anyone. It’s about giving yourself a bit of space to slow things down, see your situation more clearly, and understand whether what you’re feeling is a real need for change, or a moment where a shift in perspective and a little gratitude might be enough.
Gratitude doesn’t mean pretending things are perfect. It doesn’t mean ignoring stress, pressure, or valid frustration. It simply means noticing that alongside the difficult parts, there are still things worth acknowledging. This job, even on its hardest days, may still allow you to pay your bills, support your family, travel the world, and build a life that once felt out of reach.
If we move through life constantly focused on what’s missing, every new achievement eventually loses its shine. The next role, the next destination, the next upgrade won’t fix that feeling. Fulfilment doesn’t come from having more; it comes from learning to notice what already exists.
That doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a practice. A quiet, daily choice to notice one good thing. One moment of pride. One reason you’re still here.
Whether that clarity leads you to stay, to shift roles, or to move on entirely, it will be grounded in honesty rather than exhaustion.
Love and peace.
Ivana
On this day, we waited nearly three hours for passengers. Yes, I was stressed about catering and ice melting. And yet, I was so grateful to witness one of the most beautiful sunsets over Hyderabad (2021). No filter needed. Just a genuine moment, captured on my old Samsung phone :)
