To knock #2 off my 2011 Room For Improvement list, I enrolled in the Sheffield School’s interior design course. It’s a home study program, meaning I have the freedom to work from home at my own pace – which, right now, is pretty tortoise-like. I have 3 years to complete the program. Good thing. With everything else going on {work, family, kids, tweaking my own home, blog, paying down our debt}, I’m hoping to devote a few hours every week to the design course. You may recognize a few Sheffield graduates. Lauren Liess from Pure Style Home and Layla Palmer from The Lettered Cottage have both completed the same course I’m taking. They’re brilliant.
It feels very strange to be ‘in school’ again. Although, so far, it doesn’t feel anything quite like my college days. It doesn’t feel as ‘do or die’ like an organic chemistry lab {aaah! I still have nightmares about that}; there aren’t any nerve-wracking presentations; there aren’t any parties or 25¢ drafts on Tuesdays; and ‘Friends’ nights will only happen via reruns. I started working through the course material last week. Boy, do I ever get sleepy sitting on the couch and ‘studying!’ I don’t know how single moms with jobs do the whole school-on-the-side thing. Kudos, if you’re one of them!
What do I expect to do once I finish the program? Better knowledge of the field? A further developed designer eye? The opportunity to offer design services? I’m not really sure. I’m trying not to get too far ahead of myself. Any big changes definitely won’t happen overnight…just like any home improvement projects that happen here. One thing I know for certain is that ever since I started blogging, I’ve realized how unhappy I am in my current career field. I do have a well-paying job that allows me to work part-time, be available for my boys, and contribute to our income. In that respect, I’m very fortunate. However, I feel totally stifled, stagnant and uninspired at work. Don’t get me wrong…I work my butt off while I’m there because I do believe in good work ethic…but I’m definitely not satisfied. With the way jobs are waning, I feel like I shouldn’t whine. Still, I’m motivated to try something new that I find truly fulfilling. An early mid-life crisis, you think? Whatever it is, I’m so grateful for Handy Hubby. He is 100% supportive and encourages me to chase my dream. He lets me put holes in our walls for decor stuff, takes on DIY jobs that are too much for me, cooks, entertains the boys when I need to work on something blog/design-related and never complains while he’s doing any of these things. I don’t know what I did to deserve him. {Sorry, for the mushiness here, but it needs to be said.}
So, that’s what I’ve added to my plate recently. I’m a little scared about going off the beaten path but more excited than anything. How about you? Dying to learn something new? Have you ever contemplated a career change? Missing anything in particular about college life – whether that was 10 years or 10 days ago?
FYI – I was not compensated in any way for this post.
images: 1) Pure Style Home 2) The Lettered Cottage 3) The Parenting Myth…all linked within
inspiration