Hi Simply Soul Family,
There’s something I need to share with you.
Something that has been sitting quietly in my heart for a while now.
I’m going back to college.
Yes… at 51.
Even writing that feels surreal.
A Mix of Excitement and Fear
If I’m being completely honest with you, I am both excited and nervous.
Excited because this is something I’ve always wanted to do.
Nervous because hmm, well, where do I even begin?
You see, I already have a Master’s in Public Health. I’ve spent years learning, growing, and working in spaces that matter deeply to me. But somewhere along the journey, I realized something was missing.
Not passion. Not purpose.
But depth.
I want to understand more. I want to go deeper, especially in areas that touch people’s lives in very real and vulnerable ways.
So I made a decision that surprised even me.
I’m going back to school to study Social Work.
Why Social Work?
This decision didn’t just come overnight.
It came from years of experience, conversations, and moments that stayed with me long after they ended.
I’ve seen the gaps.
I’ve seen families struggle to find support for mental health.
I’ve seen individuals dealing with disability who feel misunderstood or overlooked.
I’ve seen the silent pain behind self-injurious behaviors and suicidal thoughts.
And I kept asking myself:
How can I do more?
I want to gain deeper knowledge about:
- Mental health support
- Disability care and advocacy
- Self-injurious behaviors
- Suicidal tendencies
But beyond that, I want to understand the clinical side of things.
I want to be able to not just support… but to practice.
To be licensed.
To sit with someone in their most vulnerable moment and truly know how to help.
That is what is calling me.
The Fear No One Talks About
But let me be real with you.
This journey is not just about courage.
It is also about fear.
One of my biggest fears right now is something I didn’t expect to struggle with: Brain fog.
Perimenopause has introduced me to a version of myself I am still trying to understand.
There are days when I forget things I should remember.
Moments when my thoughts feel slower than they used to be.
Times when I read something and have to read it again.
And I ask myself:
Can I really do this?
Sleep, Stress, and Starting Over
Then there’s sleep, or the lack of it.
Some nights, I lie awake thinking about everything:
- Assignments
- Exams
- Balancing life, work, and school
And underneath it all… there’s that quiet fear of starting over again.
Starting over at 20 feels like adventure.
Starting over at 50?
It feels like risk.
Like stepping into the unknown with so much to lose, and yet, so much to gain.
But Here’s What I Keep Coming Back To
Despite the fear,
There is a voice inside me that keeps saying:
“It’s not too late.”
And maybe you need to hear that too.
It’s not too late to learn something new.
It’s not too late to follow a deeper calling.
It’s not too late to become more of who you were meant to be.
Let’s Be Honest With Each Other
So I want to ask you something,
Have you ever thought about starting over?
About going back to school, changing careers, or pursuing something new?
What stopped you?
Fear? Time? Self-doubt?
I understand all of it.
Because I’m walking through it right now.
This Is Just the Beginning
This journey is not going to be perfect.
There will be days I feel confident…
And days I question everything.
But I am choosing to move forward anyway.
One class at a time.
One assignment at a time.
One step at a time.
And Maybe… We Can Do This Together
If you’re in a season of transition, uncertainty, or quiet longing…
You’re not alone.
Let’s walk this journey together.
Because sometimes, the most beautiful chapters of our lives begin when we have the courage to start again.
Have you checked my “Finding Peace at 50: How Meditation Became Part of My Daily Life” post?
Thanks for stopping by my blog today.
Xoxo
