Feel Happier Start Doing Something— Anything!
Are you over-thinking what you would like to do with your life to feel happier? My advice would be to quit thinking about a perfect plan and just do something— anything. Something will lead to something else, and something else will lead to finding something else that does, in fact, make you feel happier.
Just Do Something— Anything
At 50-something, being 100% in control of how I spend my time and doing what inspires me is important. I want to work on my terms doing what inspires me. Who doesn’t? What age is ‘too old’ to start something new? But, what to do? I obsessed (and still do) over this question for over a year before a friend said to me, “Just do something— Anything”! And, so I did.
I signed up for night culinary school. I started something new. My relatives mentioned “mid life thing”, and my daughter joked about me going back to school. Meanwhile, I was up to my elbows every weeknight in pastry flour. Fellow culinary students looked at me as though I was from another planet when they learned I already had a full-time career as a senior subject matter expert working for the Department of Defense. Going to school at night was exhausting, but I was also exhilarated with renewed feelings of possibilities. I baked every night and brought pastries to work the next day. I had awakened my creative senses by doing something.
Something Will Lead to Something Else
Culinary school forced me to interact with new people in a new environment. I was learning new skills and meeting people. I researched new topics and explored my creative side more than ever. It felt great. I was proud of the food handling certification I earned.
I began photographing my pastry creations to prove they existed before they were gobbled up by hungry students, family and coworkers. This led to a renewed love of photography that I had neglected since college. When the love of photography became more important than baking, I traded culinary classes for something else— photography classes. Do you see where this story is leading?
Something Else Will Lead to Feeling Happier
Today, I am a photographer. I focus on lifestyle and branding and weddings. Inspiration guides me, and I capture it through the lens of my camera every chance I get. I work with groups who want to learn street photography in Washington DC. I follow lifestyle blogs that make me feel happy and inspired. One blog, in particular, A Cup of Jo, writes, “Deal with problems during daylight… and try to chill at night”. I like this advice. My professional education and career in the computer sciences have only further enabled me to be even more successful in today’s digital world. I regularly host meetups and enjoy creating beautiful images for clients,. I feel happier since following the path to photography.
Conclusion
Sometimes, you know you want to do something, but you do not know what that something is. If you know you want to do something different, and you are struggling to understand what that might be, I would encourage you to stop over-thinking it and simply have the courage to start something— anything. You will be led to something else and, perhaps, something else again. But, you will find your way to finding something else that does, in fact, make you feel happier. I am looking forward to reading responses to anyone who may have a similar experience or how this article relates to your personal life experience.
Contact Pamela Kay
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