Why Today Changes My Life: The Back Story

Today is the day that I officially embark on a path that changes the rest of my life.

A career in nutrition is something that I have thought about for a long time. Back when I was in my first degree for Music, I thought about transferring schools to UNF to pursue a degree in Nutrition. I couldn’t do it, though, because I was so close to finishing that Music degree, and I just did not want to throw that away.

Plus, even though it wasn’t what I wanted for my life anymore, I couldn’t shake the feeling that not getting some sort of a music degree would make me a failure to myself, my talent and the dreams I had growing up. Not to mention feeling like I’d be letting down my friends and family, and to all the teachers and mentors who had poured support and guidance into me over the years.

So, I graduated college (round 1) in three years with a music degree. Ross and I then tried to move to Jacksonville right after college and right after we got married. That way UNF would be nearby if I decided to go to school again. No dice. The job that Ross had lined up fell through nine days before the wedding.

So we moved to Winter Haven, Florida, where a lot of personal changes happened. Between getting married, moving to a small town, and losing that social college atmosphere, I felt like I lost a lot of friends. Plus I was unemployed and spending hours every day trying to squeeze something out of the zero opportunities I had available. To say it was a rough time would be an understatement. I don’t know how many times I broke down crying because I wasn’t going anywhere with my life and didn’t know specifically what I wanted to do.

I did have some ideas, though. My top three contenders were a career in nutrition, music education, or event planning. I eventually picked up two part-time jobs in Winter Haven where I got to do events and development for a  non-profit and also taught music once a day at a special needs elementary school.

It was fun, but I wasn’t sold on either. I knew if I really wanted to do music education I’d have to go back to school again, and I realized that I did not love it anywhere near enough to commit to that. I liked events, but  the type of work I was gaining experience in wasn’t 100% what I wanted to do either. And truthfully, I didn’t know if I’d be able to make a living off of doing what I was most passionate about with events – helping brides on really tight budgets. (If they’re on a really tight budget, how would I make enough off them to live off of?)

So, I looked into some of those online nutrition consultant certification programs, and I actually started to pursue one, but didn’t complete it because I realized if I was going to make a career out of nutrition, I wanted to do it right, and to me that meant becoming a Registered Dietitian. (Note: this is what works for me. I personally felt like the online certification was a bit of a joke to make a solid career out of, as they’re – usually – essentially a college Introduction to Nutrition course equivalent. I personally didn’t feel right taking that limited knowledge and then being able to give guidance to people. I reasoned that if I wouldn’t see someone with that kind of online certification, how could I expect others to see me as a resource for nutrition advice and knowledge?)

So, in the summer of 2009, Ross and I told our bosses that we were looking for jobs in Jacksonville so that I could apply to UNF for Nutrition.

Well, if you’ve been reading for a while, you know that didn’t work out. We ended up moving to Gainesville in Summer 2009, because my job opportunities in Winter Haven were drying up and my husband really wanted to get into teaching high school English instead of elementary ESE. So, we moved, reasoning that I could also pursue a Nutrition degree at UF, too.

After a couple months, I eventually picked up a part-time job working for a non-profit homeless medical clinic, which was honestly great for me on so many levels. Last spring I took another big step forward as I began to take some courses, prerequisites for a Nutrition degree, at a local community college.

We were all set to stay in Gainesville another few years, with me attending UF. Then, I was told that I wouldn’t even be able to apply  to UF until I had completed Intro to Chem, Chem 1, and Chem 2. Which, as they were three consecutive courses, met that I wouldn’t even be able to apply to UF for another year and a half. Although I’m young, I really didn’t want to keep postponing going back to school that long unless I had no other choice.

So I applied to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. I vividly remember the day that I dropped my application off to the post office. I had been scurrying around, trying to round up all sorts of transcripts and paperwork, and I remember deliberately pausing before placing the big manila envelope into the postal lady’s hands, thinking that whatever happens would be fine. If I got accepted, great, if I didn’t, great. If it was meant to be, it would be.

Some time passes by and I get word that I was indeed accepted into UNF. Wooho, celebration time, right? Nope. Before Ross and I committed to moving, we needed to at least have a job for him lined up. So we both searched and searched and traveled over to Jacksonville from Gainesville on multiple occasions for various interviews and meetings. There were so many strong prospects, but nothing was coming to fruition. Until, right before our "we need to know by" deadline, the very first school Ross had interviewed with called to offer him a job.

This is going to clue you in as to how big of a cheeseball I am, but I started crying at work when Ross called to tell me that he got a job offer in Jacksonville. The wave of relief and "oh-my-gosh-this-is-really-happening" sensation that washed over me was indescribable.

So, much to the disappointment of our now-former bosses, we gave our notices and began looking for our new home in Jacksonville. We found it.

Several long days of packing, a drawn-out moving process, and one allergic reaction to our new home’s carpet cleaner later, we are here in Jacksonville.

Already the quality of our life  has improved tremendously. We already have more friends and Ross’ sister lives here. There are more friends to be made. We adore our new home and our new city. Ross is so far liking his new teaching position (although he meets students for the first time today, so we’ll see what happens there!). I’ve been on one interview to a job that feels so right and that I want sooo badly. I’ve been able to deepen my yoga practice here. Everything is just awesome  and coming together in great ways.

My point is this: perseverance pays off. Set your goals and stick to them, even if you can’t see the big picture initially. My first goal was to explore career fields and find something to pursue that I could enjoy, look forward to investing the time in, and eventually make a living off of. My next goal was to go back to school, which is where I am right now. Ironically, throughout my whole long story, I kept coming back to the same place – UNF and Jacksonville – and through years of perseverance, that’s where I’ve now ended up.

One of the most important lessons I’ve taken out of this experience so far, is to honor yourself. People change. You will change. I have changed. I truly appreciate the experience of the past couple years, because I’ve learned a lot about myself and what I want out of life. However, I feel like the whole thing would have been a lot easier had I realized it’s ok for people to change, that people are supposed to change. I think had I realized that, I wouldn’t have kept trying to make music work for me, and I would have forgiven myself for "giving up" a long time ago.

If you feel lost about the direction of your life right now, that’s ok. I honestly think everyone goes through a phase of directionless confusion. Embrace where you are today, for it’s those "lost" moments that will eventually give you clarity about what you want in life. Actively pursue the best you that you know how to be, and your life story will only be able to be an inspiring and fulfilling one.

In the meantime, if you need me you know where to find me for the next 4.5 years.