Take the Path Less Traveled?

Something I heard a lot as a kid (and not just from my parents) was

“When you grow up, you’ll go to college and then find a stable job with good benefits, health insurance and a 401-K.”

Or my favorite, “You should be a doctor!”

So I did all those things. I went to Oklahoma State (go pokes), got into veterinary school, graduated veterinary school, then found a job as a doctor of veterinary medicine with good benefits.

And through my studies I heard lots of “you’ll work really long hours, not see your friends and family much, and you’ll eventually get used to it.” Somehow that didn’t scare me away from veterinary medicine. I suppose because I really loved the profession. And I had begun to accept these statements as normal. “This is what I signed up for.”

After graduation, to no ones surprise, I worked really long hours and didn’t see my friends or family much.

But I didn’t eventually get used to it. I started to QUESTION it. Why is it we work years of our life away in a conventional “stable” job missing out on time with friends and family, missing fun trips, missing lots of life’s adventures, only to wake up years later and wonder where the time went?!

Is it because that one, stable, conventional job gets you great health insurance? Retirement? Stability?

You know what’s stable? Being your own boss. And having multiple streams of income.

You don’t have to fall into society’s norms. You don’t have to go to college. You don’t have to work a conventional “stable” job. You can sell the damn t-shirts, work for yourself 3 days a week, and be more happy living your life with intention rather than fitting into some cookie cutter mold of a career.

So start the side hustle, girl. Take the class. Make that investment in yourself (and I’m not talking about a manicure and a spray tan 😉 although sometimes that stuff is good for the soul). Create something unconventional that will help you live a more fulfilling life.

If I’m being 100% honest, I was scared to death to announce I had started selling t-shirts on the Internet. I realize how silly that sounds. But you should try explaining it to strangers in an airport. “Oh, a vet? But you’re selling T-shirts? Like you make them with a cricut ?! My second cousin’s daughter in law’s niece does that!”

I get that it’s scary to go down a path less traveled- less conventional. But I’m here to help you see that it’s OK. You’ll be happier you get to design your days and weeks with what brings YOU joy. I promise, Everything is figure- out- able.