The beauty in pursuing a new path...

“I decided to start anew, to strip away what I had been taught.”

~ Georgia O’Keeffe

Starting anew. It's a daunting and thrilling prospect, isn't it? For me, starting anew is something I've been mulling over for awhile now in an abstract kind of way. Lately, several people close to me have been suggesting that I should do something else career-wise. (This is after listening to me moan for a few years now about not being fulfilled by my current career path.) I've listened half-heartedly, the whole time thinking it would cost too much, take too much time, etc. Basically I just couldn't imagine starting on a new career was really feasible since I've been at this one for nearly 20 years.

And then last week, all that changed. I won't bore you with the details, but I suddenly realized beyond a doubt it was time for a new direction. That same day, the universe offered up a way to make it happen.

After I had made up my mind it was time to pursue something I loved again (decorating, design or something of the like), I started browsing the website of a local college looking for potential classes. It was then I came across an interior decorating certification program that I had no idea they offered. I have always wanted to study interior decorating; houses and design have interested me ever since I was a little girl. And while I've read tons of books and magazines on the subject and been told I have a natural flair for it, it's not quite the same thing as actually studying it and learning the ins and outs. 

I called the college to double check a couple of things and found out the program takes a year or so to complete. I could afford the classes and manage the timetable while still keeping my full-time job. I hung up, thought about it for a few minutes, talked to my significant other and then called back and registered. Just like that. The same day. I knew in my gut it was what I needed to do. I already design my own fabrics and wallpaper for fun, and this fits in perfectly with The Pink Home. Everyone I've told so far has practically yelled in excitement for me, saying it's what I should have been doing all along. My first class starts the 18th and I'm ridiculously excited. 

So here I am, starting anew, heading back to school to pursue a passion and hopefully turn it into a new career path. How funny that this all happened in the month I set aside to blog about starting anew.

A note about the photos with this post: I bought these gorgeous red tulips Sunday and they're simply beautiful in my living room, so I had to share. They also seemed appropriate since tulips symbolize newness to me. Since it's nearly spring ~ prime tulip season~ and I love tulips, you're probably going to be seeing a lot of them on my blog this month. I hope you don't mind.

Wishing all of you a lovely weekend...

P.S. If you're a tulip lover like me, click here to see more of my recent tulip photographs.

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully