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I’m grateful for many things in life (great husband, supportive friends, healthy family) but the thing that makes me pinch myself on a regular basis is doing what I really, truly love, and that is writing this blog. For me, this is not just a hobby but a full-time job, my small business, my hopes and dreams for the future and hopefully something I can one day work around having a family.
Until you do what you love, you don’t realise how unfulfilled you were in your previous jobs or what a rare privilege it is to be in such a position. So often, people tell me they’d love to be doing something else but for whatever reason (age, family commitments, mortgage, what other people would think or the feeling of obligation to look after other people first) they think they’ve left it too late. I have become quite evangelical about telling people it’s never too late.
If you really want it, go get it! It might mean working really hard, or effectively having two jobs for a while (which is what it felt like when I had a full-time job as editor of a business magazine while I also put as much, if not more energy and work into my then non-money-making blog). Yes, you may have to sacrifice something you can no longer afford because you’re paying for some extra study or costs to set up your own business, but if you really want to do it, I urge you to go for it.
When I was retrenched 18 months ago, I could have leapt into another full-time senior editorial job. I was planning a wedding that needed paying for, I was 31, I was keen to get on the property ladder and, in the not too distant future, start a family, so the safe route was the obvious one. Starting a business โ a blog for goodness’ sake โ was not the obvious decision and I’m not, by nature, a risk taker. But for whatever reason, I went for it. I worked my butt off (I still do) and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve never worked harder but I’ve never enjoyed it more.
People tell me all the time that they’d love to get into interiors and think they’d be really good at it, but they’ve left it too late. It’s never too late! It’s a clichรฉ I know, but there really is nothing so fulfilling as being paid to do what you love.
Did you know you can study interior architecture online through Open Universities Australia? You can do a bachelor degree or one of many 13-week units which might be enough to make you realise if you do, or don’t, actually know what the job of an interior designer entails and if it’s for you. Interior Bites, for example, is a fully online introductory unit about the tools of the interior designer and how they are integrated into interior architecture. With a holistic approach, aspects covered include colour and light, lighting, materials, finishes and decoration, noise, furniture and furnishings, technology and structure.
If you, like me, wanted to start your own business, interiors-related or otherwise, you might look at something like Issues in Small Business Management (again, 13 weeks) or something more specific like Digital Video Projects (I could do with that one myself!) or Foundations of Marketing. You don’t have to do a whole degree, but you might like to keep adding units until you eventually do!
Even if it doesn’t lead to a career change, I personally think there’s nothing like stretching the old brain! Learning for learning’s sake can be rewarding and enjoyable too. A few years ago, in the UK, I completed two thirds of a degree in international studies and frankly, I don’t care that I didn’t (and maybe never will) complete it. I felt, having gone straight into journalism after high school, I wasn’t ready to leave the world of study completely, and I really enjoyed it. (Yes, I am a bit of a nerd!) It was flexible and worked around my unusual hours as a newspaper reporter and my long distance relationship.
Are you one of the lucky ones already living the dream, doing something you love and getting paid for it? Is there something else you’d rather be doing that you’ve kind of given up on or told yourself it’s too late for? Have you done any online study? I’d love to hear your experiences!
Open Universities Australia knows all about flexible online learning and the fact people need to fit studying around their jobs and families. There are a whole host of student support services available, including free tutorial support, student coaching and counselling as well as access to FEE HELP. Why not explore your options today?
Comments
Helen Barker says
A great blog post Jen and very inspirational ๐
Jen Bishop says
Glad you enjoyed it Helen ๐
Kat Whitwell says
Hi Jen,
I loved loved loved reading this article! I am a week away from finishing my first year of a BA in Visual Culture/Arts via Open Universities which is very exciting.
12 months ago I made the decision to leave a very stressful & non-creative 10 year career as an Event Manager to pursue my dreams. Thankfully I have a very supportive (emotionally & financially) husband who encouraged me to take time and indulge in my creativeness which I hope can take me into a career in interiors.
I too thought I had left it too late as for me, turning 30 wasn’t my scary age but turning 31 was!! Having a mortgage and an ‘almost done’ renovation we have made some serious sacrifices to allow me to have this opportunity but I just know we will look back in a few years and hopefully be thankful that I took the plunge and will continue to not looked back! Next steps are to get myself into the industry and to also do what I too, truly really love!
Kat ๐
Jen Bishop says
I’m so happy you were brave enough to make the move and have a supportive husband as that makes all the difference!
TheLoverList says
Like Helen said, this is really inspiring and now you’ve got me thinking about a much bigger dream and desire to make some changes in my life! B xx
Jen Bishop says
Oh good! Don’t put it in the too hard basket. Write it down somewhere and make it happen!
Lucy Roberts says
Perfectly timed post Jen,
Just the inspirational kick up the butt I needed to get me into gear.
My goal is to get on to a course or enroll in online study so I can get started on my dream job of interior styling and architecture…
I have a long way to go but just know I’m going to love the journey, as like you, I’m a bit of a nerd and LOVE LEARNING!
Thanks Jen.
x
Jen Bishop says
All the best with it Lucy! Reach for the stars!
Heidi Shaw says
At 38 I began a midwifery degree, 3yrs down, 1 to go and I too am living and breathing proof it’s never too late to chase your dream!!!
Jen Bishop says
Good for you! I have a friend in London who started as a midwife and later became a tube driver! How’s that for career change?!
Donna says
Amen to that! I studied Interior Styling last year and this year I’ve moved on to Interior Design. I was reading The Australian Ugliness by Robin Boyd last weekend and suddenly everything clicked. I kicked myself for not going into architecture out of high school like I had always dreamed… but am now thoroughly enjoying the learning. Which is something I didn’t enjoy in high school. Which means it’s perfect timing now! It’s never too late to follow your dreams. There’s so much work involved… but I love it and it doesn’t feel like work. I’ve surprised myself by tackling the ‘too hard pile’ – something I’ve always avoided. I’ve learned more about myself than any self-help book. And now I’ve gone on and on! Thank you for following your dreams… we love the resourcefulness and interaction you bring to the industry!
Jacqui Fir says
Hi Jen,
I Loved your article on it’s never too late to start your dream job. I’m turning 50 this year and the kids are all grown up. I’m not loving what I do for a living and have always wanted to study architecture or interior design. All the people that responded to your article that had started something new when they were in their 30’s. I don’t think that’s old as there is plenty of time from your thirties. Do you think starting something new at 50 is just a bit too late or should I look at it as doing it just for the love of learning. I would love to hear what you think.
Jacqui
Elaine says
Well said Jen and as I have just started my own blog after thinking about it for so long it is also good timing and inspiring : )
http://myinteriorslife.com
Lauren says
I’ve just discovered your blog and this post has come at such a perfect time for me. Thank you for the inspiration, as well as the suggestions on where to find more information!
Melissa says
Hi Jen,
I just came across your website by chance and read your post which I think must be a sign. Literally two days ago I was ringing around a few of the design schools and looking at starting an interior stylist course via online. I’ve been thinking about doing it for some time now and just tonight was sussing out whether I could turn my husbands work bench in the garage to be my study space!!! Sometimes we get a sign and I think your topic is very timely and might be the tipping point of me booking in for the course this week. Thanks for the inspiration.
I’d love to pick Donna’s (one of your followers who left a comment earlier) brain about her thoughts on the interior stylist course. How can I get in touch with her?
Thanks
Jen Bishop says
Love that timing! I have emailed Donna and asked if she minds me passing on her email. Good luck! Jen
sue says
amen! i started studying interior design a month before my 38th birthday whilst juggling a demanding full-time job… i graduated, left my well paying job & went on to become a 41 year-old intern in order to get my foot in the door… my second (& third) internship was at 42, and now i’m working in a busy, dynamic studio taking on projects i never dreamed imaginable! it’s heart breakingly hard at times, starting from scratch… and scary… but fear is just a sign you’re alive! ๐
Jen Bishop says
Now THAT is commitment to doing what you love. Good for you, Sue! I love hearing stories like this! Jen
Scrapbook of style says
This blog post wS written for me. I’ve been saying for the longest time that I would love to do something in the interiors area, and the stars just aligned for me. I have just started my own blog and I wake up excited every day! Thanks for the encouragement!!!!!
Scrapbook of style says
Would love some tips on how to grow your blog audience!