Sara Wilczynska, a former software engineer at Google, made the unconventional choice to leave her successful eight-year career with the tech giant in late 2022, despite receiving promotions and enjoying substantial benefits. Her decision stemmed from a growing feeling of disconnection from her work, leading her to pursue an entirely new path as a watercolor artist.
A Career That Looked Perfect on Paper
Wilczynska, originally from Warsaw, Poland, earned a master's degree in computer science before building her career in London and joining Google in Zurich in 2015. She later moved to New York, working on Google's Search News product, and then to San Diego during the COVID-19 pandemic. By all appearances, her career was thriving, offering flexibility, supportive colleagues, and exceptional perks like wellness programs, gym access, subsidized massages, and stock grants.
However, despite being promoted twice, Wilczynska observed her role gradually shifting away from hands-on coding towards more meetings and stakeholder management. This change fostered a growing sense of detachment. She described feeling the constant stimulation of screens, deadlines, notifications, and expectations pulling her away from herself, indicating that the pace was unsustainable.
Searching for Deeper Alignment
Before her resignation, Wilczynska attempted various strategies to regain a sense of purpose. She reduced her work hours, actively participated in diversity and inclusion initiatives, and even trained in sound healing. Yet, these efforts failed to address what she perceived as a profound misalignment with her career path. She eventually realized that a job, no matter how ideal it appears on paper, isn't enough if a deeper sense of fulfillment is missing.
From Tech to Tropical Art
With no immediate career plan, Wilczynska and her partner decided to rent out their San Diego apartment and embark on a year-long journey across Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The pivotal moment arrived during a six-month stay on the Thai island of Koh Tao, where she discovered watercolor painting.
"I had something I hadn't experienced in years: unstructured time," Wilczynska reflected.
She began taking online art classes and painting daily scenes from the island. Sharing her artwork in local Facebook groups, she was surprised when people began purchasing her pieces, finding that her art beautifully captured their memories of the island.
Launching Swil Arts Studio
Upon returning to the United States, Wilczynska channeled her newfound passion into launching Swil Arts Studio in San Diego. She now creates original watercolor illustrations, prints, and home décor products. While acknowledging that her current income is lower than what she earned at Google, her definition of success has profoundly evolved.
For Wilczynska, success is no longer about productivity or output but about impact. If her art causes even one person to pause, feel something, or recall a memory, she considers that a meaningful achievement.