2017 – the year I figured out what I want to do with my life!

All I can say is, 2017 was hell of a year for me! Not only did it fly by, but I myself changed so much. I feel like I’ve grown into myself almost completely. I know what I want to do with my life. Finally. For so long I couldn’t figure out what to do. I know I didn’t want to be a nurse forever, and although I had completed my degree, I felt like there was something missing in regards to my career aspirations. But I couldn’t pin-point it for such a long time. I felt like there was so much more to my purpose than nursing for the rest of my life. Don’t get me wrong, nurses are absolutely amazing people who are so strong and loyal. We contribute to keeping people well. But when you don’t exactly feel complete in what you are doing with your life, you know that something isn’t quite right. I wasn’t happy, in fact, I was depressed to be honest. Being the health nut I already was for a few years, I couldn’t work out if I wanted to be a personal trainer or work in some area of nutrition. Through my own struggles with my health I really wanted to help others not be in the same boat as me. But I just had to work out how.

After ceasing heavy exercise for almost 6 months, I decided that maybe being a personal trainer wasn’t for me. My poor body can’t deal with as much stress from exercise as it used to. I eventually decided to study a health/nutrition coaching course online thinking this would make me feel more fulfilled. I learnt so much about nutrition from doing this, and the knowledge I have obtained has helped many people. But I still felt there was something missing. I could work as a health coach for the rest of my life, which can be quite difficult, or I could reach for even bigger things than I ever thought I would ever attempt.

A mentor of mine eventually asked me, why don’t you study nutrition? I hadn’t even thought about going to uni again. I had been there for 3 years, and let’s just say, what an exhausting 3 years that was. But there I was the next day researching different courses. I decided I wanted to go down the more natural therapies route as I felt this was an area of health that really resonated with me. I didn’t want to work in a mainstream area, I wanted to be unique and have the freedom to assist people with their health in ways that weren’t considered so conventional. I started by visiting Endeavour College in Melbourne at their open night. This place was very inspiring. It made me realise that maybe nutrition was for me. The next week I then visited Southern School of Natural Therapies in Fitzroy. As soon as I walked through those doors, I felt like I was at home. I was welcomed by an energy that was so accepting, I felt like no one here would judge me for the choice I am making in my life. It was perfect, in an amazing location, and not central to the city. Being a country girl, I don’t like the business the city brings. Fitzroy was perfect, and I was comfortable particularly as I had studied at Australian Catholic University 2 years prior.

I enrolled in a Bachelor of Health Science (Nutritional Medicine) thinking this was what I really wanted to do. I commenced in the uni’s 3rd trimester, starting off part time to slowly wean me back into the uni life. But I still felt like something was missing. I eventually settled on doing naturopathy following my nutrition degree, as it wouldn’t go down so well in my household. But it would be 3 years of nutrition and another 3 or so to finish naturopathy, so what was the point? I’d be at uni for around 9 years all together, more time than a medical degree! I eventually took the plunge and enrolled into naturopathy, not caring if I wasn’t allowed to live at home anymore. This is what I want to do and nobody is going to stop me!!

I think this is one of the best life choices I have ever made. I’m listening to my heart, instead of staying in a career in which I do not fulfilled in. I will no longer be stuck, and will one day be able to practice my own approach to health, the natural way, which I love! I cannot tell you enough how important it is to follow your heart and do what you want to do. Don’t do what other people tell you to do, because that is exactly what I did. I left school and had no idea what to do! If you’re not sure, take a gap year, or take some time off work to find yourself! Don’t work a job just for the money or because it is easy. I know that’s harsh to say, but your life is here to be enjoyed, not drained. Do what you want to do because you love it! Your health is so much more important than the excess stress an unwanted career puts on our bodies, which can affect all aspects including mental, physical, spiritual etc. Thrive and be who you want to be!