I graduated from Alfred University in 2007 with a degree in fine arts. I left that college flying out the door so ready to escape from exams, deadlines, and being forced to be creative. I was sick of art, sick of art history, sick of being graded, sick of talking about art. I never wanted to pick a paintbrush up again.
Then hit the real world. Holy hell.. how was I going to make a living? I tried my feet into about 7 different careers. I was to be a makeup artist for high fashion photo shoots, I was going to learn the trade of making stained glass windows, there was the time I tried to be a movie set designer (twice). These were the most memorable of my career choices. In 201o I became a manager for a group home for adults with develepmental disabilities. That job was draining, while I loved aspects of it- I couldn’t deal with having the run all of the finances of the home along with many of my other assigned tasks. After about 6 months at the job I found myself in tears every night, hating my life. I felt dead. All the while many “friends” chastized me for being all over the place with my career. I felt as though I was never going to grow up and figure out who I was..
Around this time I went to the movies with my husband to see Julia and Julia. I left the theatre again crying.. completely disgusted with my boring life that I was forcing myself through. Something in me changed that day.. I knew enough was enough.
For me- happiness is serving others, offering inspiration, helping others find sheer joy through food and in life. I feel its important to embrace each day with excitement.. I needed to find that boundless happiness within myself.
I quit my job, I picked up a part time nanny job that I knew would not drain me to cover my basic expenses and I created Real Sustenance. I posted a new recipe every day for the first year, and I taught myself how to bake. I learned an incredible lesson-
When your passions are ignited and you are doing what you love- Magic Happens.
Work no longer feels like work. Passion takes control of you- and you can’t help but run to share the things you are creating. Others will sense this joy and want to become part of it. Happiness is contagious.
2 years later- I have 18,000 facebook friends sharing in this experience with me. I have created almost a thousand original recipes, written two books and continue to feel excited about what I do. I don’t say this to claim greatness, I state these things to prove that when you are doing what your heart desires.. good things come and you will have the ability to accomplish things you never thought possible.
Give yourself a gift. Allow yourself to be who you are.
Today I have picked back up my paintbrush, only now I’m using to pipe frosting and to play with light and color in my camera.
Everything happens for a reason, you just have to pay attention to the cue’s you get along the way that will point you in the direction you are meant to go. Pay attention. You deserve a happy life.
Watch this 3 minute video.. It might just change your life.
-Brittany-
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I saw that video on Facebook, too, and it’s just so true. And so glad that you found YOUR passion with RS. You really ARE giving a gift to all your readers!
xo
This is a beautiful post! I came across your blog when I first took gluten out of my diet and was inspired by all you could create. It’s lovely to hear about your journey! Congratulations!!!
You have NO IDEA how the timing of your post has hit me! Long story short, I’m 40 years old and STILL trying to figure out what to do when I grow up! Went to college to teach elementary school, did that for a 4 years, got married, had 3 great boys, spent the next 15 years devoting my life to raising them (and loved every minute of it). In between I found my passion of teaching childbirth classes and being a childbirth doula. Then my husband left me. And I realized I was going to need a “real job”. So I became a massage therapist 2 years ago. Don’t get me wrong, I do love giving massages—but my thumb with the beginnings of basal thumb arthritis doesn’t
So I started my Tranquil Baby company to help new parents find their way through pregnancy and the newborn phase. I became a certified postpartum doula and infant massage therapist too.
And then I felt like I wasn’t going to be successful enough to make it on my own with that so I decided to got the safe route and started back to school for nursing. Took a few prerequisite courses and then made the decision to take the next semester (Jan-May) off. And guess what happened? My Tranquil Baby business started to take off! So now I’ve made the decision to follow my passion and trust that doing what I love will make me successful! Wish me luck
Sometimes its a long road to figure out your perfect direction! Amazing that you’ve stuck with trying to find it! I think you are headed in the direction of a very happy career!!!!
This post really resonates with me. I see it as being what your Creator meant for you to be! Amazing how that brings such joy! It makes sense to think of it as God making each one of us in a unique, special way for a unique, special purpose and when we find that and embrace it, it’s pure joy! That’s one reason I’m so thankful to be able to homeschool my children. They can find their niche and pursue it with a passion instead of getting a “cookie cutter” education that may not address their particular passion. Thanks for this post, Brittany. You are amazing and such an inspiration. My children and I pray for you often, believe it or not!
This is just random but as I started reading the blog I noticed you said Alfred University. Yeah Alfred…I grew up in Almond. Tiny little towns in western NY that most people don’t even know about
Small world! I know exactly where almond is
I’m only about an hour away from there now!