Ch-ch-ch-Changes

In these increasingly stressful times, I often find myself wishing I came equipped with a "Do More" button, like my laptop. Economic pressure, family commitments, life in general; with everything piling up, what's a girl have to do to get some downtime?  The last few months have been a whirlwind.  Although it was mostly good stuff, it still left me wishing that I could actually do less. It's easy for me to get caught in the type of mind trap that commands perfection. You can't just be good, you've got to be great. I compare myself to those around me not by material possessions, but by accomplishments.  She who has the fullest plate, and manages to carry it without it all toppling over, wins.  My life is as full as the next girl's, and I'm grateful and happy most of the time.  I have a high-stress job, though, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't affecting me.  Recently, what started out as a whisper of dissatisfaction, has become more of a high-pitched scream.  Sure I've managed to juggle, and get by, but my days have had a decidedly automatic feel lately. Systematically running through the to-do list, and everything will be fine if I follow the plan.  This would all be ok if I felt some strong fulfillment from what I'm doing.  But I just don't. I fell into my line of work, and ran with it.  I even managed to become reasonably successful at times, but I don't love it.  I stayed because I'm good at it, and change is scary as hell. However, an inventory of my emotional environment affirmed that some changes are in order.  Somehow, amidst all the sales goals and deadlines, I forgot that I have a choice.  So I'm taking some big risks, and a pretty big pay cut, to follow my heart.  I've been half-stepping my way through college for a few years already.  I've picked up some certifications here, taken a few classes there, but work has always taken precedence. It wasn't until fairly recently that I had the confidence to even entertain the idea of turning my love for nutrition into a career.  It's always been something I studied and experimented with for fun.  Honestly, I have been mistaking comfort for gratification for far too long.  I kept thinking that with enough positive reinforcement,  I could learn to "grow where I was planted", so to speak.  But life is too short to put on hold. I had to really ask myself what was holding me back.  Fear is the obvious answer, but fear of what, specifically?  Failure?  Absolutely.  Financial ramifications of leaving a sound position to chase a pipe dream? You bet!  Going back to tackle a class that took me to task on my first attempt?  Ding, ding, we have our winner! The truth is, I'm in for some classes that will not come easily, and I might fail sometimes.  I'm going to have to scale back my lifestyle considerably for a while, too.  I'm positive there will be times that I will kick myself for making this decision.  In the end, I have no idea where this new path will lead.  My fears are valid, but I don't have to let them run this show. Belief in myself has been one of the greatest gifts I've gotten as part of this lifestyle.  I know I can do more than I ever thought possible, and this is a natural extension.  The same discipline and grit that I take to the gym is what will make this adventure a success.  Now, I just have to go do it!   Erin stays busy pursuing her own fitness goals, and helping to educate and inspire those she loves to live healthier lives.  A hair stylist by trade, she manages a salon, and is chipping away at a degree, ultimately in dietetics and kinesiology.  She lives in South Florida with her husband and a “pound puppy” named Pedro.