Change is scary, but...

Starting over doesn’t have an expiry date
Speaking with Lila about her own decision to switch majors got me thinking about how scary that process is! It threatens us on a personal level because, in a way, it says that we were wrong. Some of us get defensive, but the healthier response to finding out you aren't where you want to be is to look at other options and start charting a different path. Easier said than done, I hear you think, but I argue back that you can at least start with reflecting on what it is you’d like to be doing and daydream! Hopefully you’ll eventually act on your daydreams :)
I think this also applies to taking on new hobbies or exploring new interests. We are never too old to explore new things or make our way back to square one.

Focus on the process
Along the same vein as learning that it’s okay to start over, Lila’s decision to change majors reminded me that hindsight is 20/20--we can only see mistakes and the right decisions after the fact. Perhaps we can get that emotional kudos after making a decision that feels right (like quitting a sucky job), but that’s a rarity. Since we have no way of knowing, I posit the best way to make navigate the big decisions is to stay flexible and allow ourselves to be surprised--both pleasantly and unpleasantly. 

T Model
Jack of two or three trades and a master of one (or two) is the advice we got from Lila’s father. Having two or three things we can do confidently well and one that we can call ourselves experts on is not only a nod to our own human nature of having multiple interests, but also a healthy and holistic way to live. Wouldn’t you get bored of working the same job for years on end? Probably! Breaks and having interests to pursue outside your profession is healthy.

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Lila's Book Recommendations

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