New Beginnings
Welcome! If you somehow stumbled across my little space here on the Internet, I’m so happy you are here. I never planned to start a blog, but this little voice in my head lately has reminded me that the best version of myself is authentic and connected. As I look to grow my business, creating content feels like the next step towards connecting with others about my work, but I always want to honor the part of me that longs for truth and authenticity. So here I am! I figured a blog is a great way for me to share the real things and also weave in my love for Design and Interiors! So, in my first post EVER, let me share how this all began…
For 18 years (yikes!) I’ve been a stay at home, work part-time from home mom, but my kids are getting older and I’ve been (sometimes anxiously) searching for the “next” chapter in my life. Last year around this time, my husband was going through some big changes at work and hit a major tipping point. He came home one day and told me that he needed some time off and thus began what we jokingly called his “sabbatical.” He stepped away from the office for a few weeks and suddenly we were both home. Together. And the kids were all gone, which was very very strange. One day, my daughter commented that “she was too young for both of her parents to be retired.’’ Granted, he wasn’t planning to retire and I certainly didn’t see myself like that, but it did make me question many things. What’s my next step in life? I want to work, but what will I do? I don’t have a career that I was eager to return to. Who will hire me? I have loved being a full-time mom, but they are growing up and don’t need the same things anymore. I’M growing up and want different things now too! In some ways it feels like I am being laid off and forced to navigate a complete career change in my…gulp…mid 40’s.
As I really wrestled with these questions, I started thinking about the type of work that brings me joy and that would be fulfilling each day. I love creating a warm loving home. I love my family and creating a space that allows them to relax and unwind. I love design and making things look beautiful. I love finding ways to take things that are already in my home and use them in new ways. I love connecting with people. Over the years, some of my favorite part-time work has been spent consulting on residential design projects and home renovations. It has always been so fulfilling to see a space that might be in rough shape and to imagine how to transform that into something that will be full of warmth and beauty. My favorite project of all time involved designing my own home from start to finish. Eventually, all of these things started to add up as I talked to people and received advice about my next steps. The dream of starting a business as an Interior Designer started to take shape in my head and my heart. This also led to so many more questions and, if I’m honest, a lot of doubt. Starting something new is always hard, but jumping into a new career in my mid-40’s seems absolutely daunting. As I started to research my options, I decided that I really wanted to get some formal education in interior design. I am confident in my ability to make spaces look pretty, but I really feel like there is so much to learn.
So, in April of 2023, I started my first class towards my Certification in Interior Design at the Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia. It’s strange to be back in school but it’s also invigorating and I am excited about every little detail that I am learning. I’ve also decided to soft launch my own Interior Design business while still taking classes, because I’ve realized that if I don’t keep taking small steps, I’ll never actually move forward. It’s so easy to stay stuck and to feel overwhelmed at the uncertainty of New Beginnings. And yet…we need to take chances and do the hard work of becoming. So…that’s my story and I am excited to share my journey here and hope this space will be an authentic peek into the heart behind growing my Interior Design business and creating beautiful spaces for people to feel loved and connected.
- Sarah