From Leather to Nylon: A Shopaholic's Guide to Career Change

Calling all fashionistas and cubicle heroes! Grab your Starbucks (I've got mine!), and let's spill the tea (or coffee).

My shopping addiction is as deep as the ocean, with a special place in my heart (and closet) for shoes, purses, and, of course, Starbucks. My Pinterest is a treasure trove of desires, with "I Got Sole" dedicated to the shoes that I swear whisper my name and arches in my sleep, and "Bag Lady" for purses I crave, inspired by the great Erykah Badu, though, let's be real, the only thing hurting my back is the price tag on some of these designer labels.

Once upon a time, an oversized Cole Hahn bag (my proud and joy), doubled as a baby bag in a desperate attempt to blend motherhood with fashion. Spoiler alert: it ended up as a canvas for every possible stain known to humankind. Masterpiece!

​Through the years, my taste buds refined, and I fell hard for the smooth, soft calfskin leather of Ralph Lauren, the signature of Coach, and the sleek designs of Tory Burch. But, as my son got older and his activities grew, or my need to keep him more busy, my fetish for more leather bags were benched for a Lululemon crossbody that's not only budget-friendly but also surprisingly stylish and practical. Who knew?

On the career front, I've clocked in over three decades of counting, exceling, and reconciling. But now, I'm at a crossroads, feeling the itch for change just like the transition from leather bags to that trusty nylon.

The question looms: How do I switch from being a master of accounts to something else? Is there a career equivalent of switching from leather to nylon that doesn't involve losing the essence of what I love? Should I consult a career coach or let the stars align through a Myers-Briggs assessment?

Just as I've realized the joy in a less expensive, more practical bag that still brings me happiness, I'm on a quest to find the career path that suits my current life phase. Perhaps, the skills in reconciling accounts can help me reconcile my future aspirations with reality. After all, if I can manage to keep a Starbucks cup from spilling in a purse filled to the brim, surely I can navigate the condensed waters of a career change.

In the end, whether it's the transition from leather purses to a functional crossbody or from an accountant to my next big adventure, the journey is all about finding what truly brings joy and fulfillment without the unnecessary weight (literally and metaphorically).

So, here's to finding that perfect "next bag" in both our closets and careers. May our transitions be as smooth as Ralph Lauren's calfskin leather and our decisions as bold as a double pump of vanilla in our morning Starbucks!

Stay stylish, as well as ambitious, and remember, sometimes the best finds are in the most unexpected places, whether that's in the clearance section or a completely different career path. Cheers to our next adventure!

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