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It’s really crazy – maybe serendipitous – how things start to seemingly fall into place once you open yourself up to new possibilities.   I actually started connecting dots way before I realized I was ready to commit to a career change.  My favorite example: Not very long after I met with my friend who had quit his job and had recommended the books and podcasts, another friend invited my husband and me to the opening of an exhibit at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA).  I skimmed the online invitation and it looked like a fun event, so I said yes and got tickets.  From the second we arrived at the museum I was blown away.  “How did I not know about this place?” was my first thought.  Second thought was definitely, “These are my people!”  The exhibit was Text Me: How We Live In Language, curated by Debbie Millman.  Herein lies the irony- I was introduced to her, and after she complimented my attire (“It’s everything,” she said as she waved her hand from my head to my toes.  I will never forget that moment, by the way), I couldn’t place how I knew her.  Her voice was so familiar.  Fast forward to 2 days later – I was walking on the beltline and had decided to finish listening to a podcast that my friend recommended: Design Matters with Debbie Millman.  Yes, that Debbie Millman!  So that’s why her voice sounded so familiar… Debbie is “kind of a big deal”, and I had just met her a few days prior, and she was lovely.  On that particular podcast she was interviewing Brené Brown.  Brené is the author of many a best seller, including the book I ended up reading later, The Gifts of Imperfection, that I referred to in my previous post. It was the first of many full circle moments I’ve had in the last year and a half or so.  I immediately reached back out to our friend who invited us to MODA (he also happened to be Chair of their Board of Directors) and we determined it was good that I didn’t know who Debbie Millman was when I met her so I didn’t make a fan-girl fool of myself.  I also pretty much invited myself to any and all future MODA events, which led to me becoming a member of the Board myself.  I was so inspired!  If you’ve never heard of MODA, or have wondered what that small museum across from the High Museum of Art was all about, I encourage you to check it out here.  It’s not your typical museum- it’s inclusive, forward thinking, and has the coolest exhibits.

I think I had been living in my little bubble for so long that I had stopped looking for inspiration a long time ago.  I had resigned to the fact that I had chosen a path and that’s where I had to stay.  Meeting people in so many creative fields gave me new found inspiration.  Sure, I had always appreciated and supported the arts, but that’s where it stopped. Finally, it was like a light bulb turned on and I was ready to push out of my comfort zone.  I had always wanted to paint, but my perfectionism held me back, so I just bought some acrylics and brushes and tried it out.  It turns out I’m not as bad as I thought I would be!  I also started taking more photos again, and really taking the time to take off my blinders and pay attention to my surroundings.  I’ve continued reading inspiring books, many of which I found through listening one of my many inspiring podcasts (Design Matters is still a favorite).  I’m learning as much as possible about creative careers and entrepreneurship.  And I’m always up for more suggestions and recommendations, so please feel free to leave any you may have in the comment section below!  I am definitely still a work in progress, but aren’t we all?