Keep plugging along and listening to your heart, it always seem to guide us in the right direction.

I like to say that I have had 2 “mid-life” crises, both in my 20′s: the first occurred when, half-way through applying to Ph.D programs in Psychology I realized I was no longer following my heart. The second occurred after my decision to pursue a career in culinary arts- I jumped, followed something I was passionate about, and then found out the daily grind of the food industry is 1.) exhausting and not sustainable 2.) really unhealthy.
So I started my own business, as terrified as I was to do so. And here I am at 27, finding a way to bring together psychology and nutrition. It has been a bumpy road and it is by no means over- but I completely relate to your feeling that after spending years pursuing what you thought was “The Dream”, you find it is not how you want to spend the rest of your life. I always say, I wish someone told me in high school NOT to feel pressured to pick a career right away. I always felt like I was supposed to know what I wanted before I was even an adult. And now after spending ridiculous amounts of money on a B.A, I have to find a new path.

I think the most difficult part for me has been the fact that I still want to find meaningful work, but work that more agrees with the life I want to lead. It is something that is hard to do and find, when the image of success in our society is getting up and going to a 9-5 job everyday and your worth is often based on how many hours you can spend in an office.
Part of me still craves the professional lifestyle, but I also know I need something more flexible, a job that let’s me be in control of my own life. I’m really looking forward to the next chapter that I just opened through my training on a health coach. It is work where I can still help people who are in need, but work where I can also shape my practice and business into what I want it to be. Thanks for reading and look forward to hearing more of your thoughts.