Share your life changing / enhancing jobs

[blush09]

i have been devouring every life coaching book i can get my hands on ..
im fast appraching 40 and just feel like ive wasted so much of my life - i have so, so many regrets, i have made the wrong decisions in so many aspects of my life, moving, career, relationships etc ..
after losing a baby at 6 mths last year, and recently finding out my husband has got us into thousands of pounds worth of debt (inc mortgage) i feel i need to make some changes in my life .. my job as a carer in an old peoples home has to go (its making me so unhappy, i feel life is passing me by, antisocial hours, terrible money etc) the husband is staying (i took my vows seriously, and although im not making any excuses for him - i think the loss of our baby was probably the root of the debt problems, i was off for several months and he was robbing peter to pay paul, trying not to worry me etc..) i really want to spend more time with my daughter (age 9) i feel she is growing up so fast .
i recently trained as a make up artist and am pinning all my hopes in this being the answer to all my problems, i realise its not going to make everything better over night - but im hoping to eventually earn enough through bridal work to cut down my shifts so that i can spend more quality time with my husband, then eventually learn mani/pedicure and perhaps even train to become a foot health practitioner so that i can have contact with the elderly that i love so much, during the week - doing the hours and days that i please and do bridal make up (which i adore) weekends - this is my dream, am im trying to put it in place bit by bit - would love to hear from other people who have managed to change their work / life balance, particularly - i thrive on hearing other peoples inspiring stories - particularly if they are in the field of beauty.
blush09

 

[Kim Lawless]

I'm really sad to read what you've been through but never regret anything......it's all part of life's colourful patchwork. Hats off to you for wanting to change your life for the better.

If I were you, I would do both the Bridal Make up and the Foot Health.

Foothealth is big business and as you know, they can earn a lot of money per hour. Not glam I know but it's helping those who can't help themselves and the income will help you with your debt. It will be your bread and butter.

The make up however will be good for your soul. You may not make a fortune but it will be lovely to be around young people on the happiest day of their life. It will uplift you and it's rewarding.

Keep you chin up doll as you can always turn your life around as long as you're prepared to actually do it, instead of just daydreaming about it.:hug:

 

[blush09]

thanks for your prompt reply ..

yes, you have hit the nail on the head - the foot health will put bread on the table and allow me to work the flexible hours that i crave (if only to actually watch my daughter in her school play once in a while!)

the bridal makeup is a life long ambition of mine, i will feel i have achieved something in my life if i can actual do the job i have always dreamt about..

whilst still at school, i planned to go to college to study theatrical makeup - but my parents decided overnight we would move abroad and so that went out of the window .. i returned to england and lived with my grandparents when i was 17 and fell into a job as an office junior in the city, where i worked for 12 yrs, gradually moving up the ladder - i could have done well for myself, i was asked if i wanted to do my stock exchange exams at one time, but i have never had the confidence and have always preferred to stay within my comfort zone. hence me always doing jobs that were not too taxing, jobs to work around the school hours, my husbands jobs etc .. i have worked in care now for 3 yrs and cant say that its my dream job - i feel pretty worthless at times, but i love the elderly sooo much and thats what has kept me there - but i think its time to move on, and im now determined to train in both those fields.

funnily enough, waxing is something i have also considered - can i ask how you got into it? i think i may have even emailed you at one time, when scouring the net for suitable courses .. i just love hearing how people have come to find the jobs, careers or vocations that have eventually made them happy and content

blush09

 

[tog]

Hello Blush

go off and sort out a man and ped course ASAP, there are loads of places to train and it wouldn't take you long. I am sure if you have learnt make-up which to me is quite involved and demands concentration, then you would be fine learning manicure etc. Go for it! And good for you for relating your dreams to a reality ( doing your footcare for the elderly ) not just having an airy fairy vague idea. You obviously really enjoy working with them so it would be great to carry that on but in a different way.

Yes you certainly have had a horrible time. My advice to you would be to try and keep a bit of an eye on your finances, especially if your hubby is feeling low. If you end up becoming self-employed in the future, the sooner you get used to sorting out your finances yourself, the better. It will make you feel empowered too, rather than leaving it all to him. And I expect he will appreciate it if he got you into a muddle once already.

When I split up from my ex a few years ago things were quite tight financially and took a bit of getting used to especially as I was running my own business and income would go up and down. But luckily 8 years on things have got gradually easier and I don't worry so much.

So you can do it! Go for it and very good luck to you, follow your dream x x

 

[Kim Lawless]

can i ask how you got into it?

I got into it through passion and need.

Passion: I adore waxing and the end results. I love teaching and never tire or seeing people that said that they couldn't wax, blossom in a few short hours.

Need: I've raised my daughter (24yrs) on my own with no financial support so I had to work work work. I still love it.

Things will turn around for you.....just you wait and see. xxx

 

[Elaine143a]

So sorry to hear your above news.

You state you are reading lots of self help books, and without meaning to sound wierd, I have read some of these and they actually made me feel more inadequate for not meeting their targets etc. I know a lot of people get loads of help from these books, but I am of the opinion that, yes, read them, but then use your own descretion about your actions thereafter and dont feel guilty about your decisions.

If this sounds strange, think back to when your daughter was a baby. Did you read any of the parenting mags and think you were a bad mother because you weren't breastfeeding / making your own organic food / using disposable nappies etc....... ? I certainly did!

Whatever you decide (and you have beenb given great advice above) I wish you the best - let us know how you get on.

 

[gillian w]

I love my work and i wish you all the best.
Just don't pin your hopes on anything happening too fast and solving all your problems.
With everything you have had to cope with in the last year be careful not to set yourself up for being let down.
Im not saying dont do it at all but do it for the right reasons,do it slowly and don't do it to solve problems of the past make sure you have sorted your life first before taking on a challenge of a new business that may realistically take a while to build and cause more stress in your life.
I guess what im trying to say is make sure you are emotionally strong enough to take on the challenge.