What do you want to be when you grow up? This is a common question that I was asked. Continue reading about my journey in finding my passions!
The first profession I can remember wanting to pursue was teaching. I was in the first grade, drawing what I wanted to be for a homework assignment. I think I chose teaching because I liked helping my teachers.
Next, I wanted to be a K-pop artist! I looked into all the upcoming competitions in California and I’d write letters to my parents about wanting to compete. As much as I enjoyed the music and culture, I didn’t think it was for me. Goodbye to being a K-pop star (sob).
High school comes along and this is where I felt the pressure to choose a profession. Medicine was high on the list of options. However, I didn’t find any passion in it other than helping people. So, what now?
It wasn’t until the spring of my junior year that I found my calling. I created a project, with the help of mentors, to assist adolescents through whatever they were experiencing. After presenting the project at a city dinner, a middle school aged individual told me how they resonated with it. Other attendees told me to consider becoming a businessperson or politician.
I recognized my strengths through this experience! I enjoy helping people, speaking and planning. I figured I’d go into business, specifically entrepreneurship. I began looking for business schools to attend and eventually found the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-W). This is where I graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship!
I can’t say that I didn’t question my major. For a moment, I thought I’d pursue human resources or sociology. I actually added sociology as a minor, but removed it a semester later. I had a lot of marketing classes, and I really enjoyed them. Before I knew it, I was too close to being done. I didn’t want to change my major after all the work I’d put in. Regardless, I’m happy I kept with entrepreneurship.
While I planned to attend UW-W for a Master of Business Administration in Project Management, I experienced another calling to aesthetics, which you can read more about here! This past April is when I became a licensed aesthetician.
Before attending aesthetics school, I was a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) for several months. If you include pregnancy, I was a SAHM for a year. I never imagined I’d be a SAHM, but I also hardly thought about life after having a child until I was pregnant. Being a SAHM taught me a lot about myself. For instance, I learned that I couldn’t be a SAHM. Maybe one day.
I started a small business in college, ACY’s DIYs, where I sold customized items. ACY’s DIYs has been a learning experience. I’m grateful for the love and support I’ve received. I’m ready to switch it up, however. I look forward to sharing more on it soon!
As you may know by now, I blog! I’ve wanted to own a blog since middle school, but I couldn’t stay consistent with it. Journaling has helped me cope through hardships and allows me to express myself. In a way, Life of ACY is where I speak from the heart. Although I wish I was further along in this journey, I acknowledge all of the opportunities Life of ACY has given me, and I know that I’ll be where I strive to be soon.
Just a few weeks ago, I shared this piece where I talk about what I’m grateful for during his holiday season. It’s where I shared that I became a Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher. Meditation has been in my life for years. It’s given me a space to learn, to process, to feel and grow. While I was pregnant with Valkyrie, I practiced meditation daily. No wonder my nurses thought I was sleeping during labor (laughs)! I wanted to welcome it back into my life, but on a more in-depth level. So, here I am! Teaching, right back to the first profession I remember wanting to pursue.
Today, I’m happy to announce that I’m a licensed REALTOR® in the state of Wisconsin! I chose to pursue this career because I adore interior designing and would love to be a key role in someone’s home buying or selling journey. I’m excited for this new adventure!
What I want to be, or who I want to be will change just as the seasons change. I think life has so much to offer and it’s up to us to take advantage of it. I don’t have to stick to doing one thing if I don’t want to. Sometimes passions change too. As humans, we’re always evolving. Not to mention, if I have more than one passion, why not go for all of them? Life’s too short to keep wanting, rather than doing.
What do you want to be?
Edit: I started reading Michelle Obama‘s Becoming and in her Preface, she discusses the very question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” She states, “Now I think it’s one of the most useless questions an adult can ask a child… As if growing up is finite. As if at some point you become something and that’s the end.”
This. Her statement. It’s exactly what my piece is about. I learned this year just how much I love learning. I completed aesthetics school, went on to real estate and now meditation and mindfulness. All in one year! I don’t think it ends there for me, or anyone else.
Therefore, I ask the question, “What do you want to be?” When I ask myself that question, typically in the mornings, it’s in regards to what I want to be that day. So, I leave you with that question again.
What do you want to be?
