If the only ice cream ever made was vanilla, life would be pretty dull

Sometimes I get the feeling that certain people just don't get what I'm doing here. I mean for the most part everyone has been very supportive of my decisions of late, most notably my family, but there are some people that just cannot comprehend my actions. I still get job offers for Accounting jobs, and from people that know precisely what my intentions are and are regular readers of my blog.

I even think I lost a good friend over this whole career change thingy ... remember the friend who referred me to an Accounting Manager job at her workplace but then I passed on the interview? That friend. After I cancelled the interview (which I did cancel btw, it's not like I was a no-show or anything), I emailed my friend to apologize for cancelling and to thank her for giving me the opportunity. I have not heard from her since; she never even replied to my email. This same friend questioned my decision as we lunched together, just a week prior to passing me the job lead. She could not understand why I would give up a career in which I had so many years of experience and made good money to start at the bottom and work my way up.

Hello ??? How many times must I state it ... I'M NOT DOING THIS FOR THE MONEY. If money was my only motivating factor I would have sucked it up months ago and found yet another dull, lacklustre, mind-numbing accounting job while I prayed for the sweet release of death.

And it's not just her; I'm just using this one (ex) friend as an example. I've talked with countless others whose eyes open wide and jaws drop when I tell them I'm leaving the glamorous life of Accounting to be a Personal Trainer and Nutritionist. And many of them are people that are in the fitness industry. Some are so bold to come right out and ask the same question my friend did over lunch that day, and it all boils down to the almighty dollar.

Every step I've taken thus far to fulfill this career transition was done by choice, including the massive step of selling my home and giving up home ownership to rent. I did it because I wanted to, not because I had to ... it was a sacrifice I made in order to pursue my dreams. And I honestly don't feel it's really a sacrifice. In just one short week in my new condo I'm happier than a pig in shit, something I never felt in my former residence.

On a side note here, I surprised myself a little on my official last day in Brampton by actually getting a tad emotional. After the last few items were packed in my car and I knew I wouldn't be returning, I went across the street to say farewell to a few neighbours that I had been friends with during my 11+ years there, and I found myself getting choked up as I hugged each family member goodbye. When I got home I sent a Facebook message to a few of the teenage girls on the street to bid them adieu, and they expressed their sadness at my departure and asked me to return to visit often. I pretty much watched these girls grow up and they hung out at my house often, and I will miss them dearly. However just like when I left my job after the same number of years, I know that my anguish was for the people and not the place. Them I will miss; the house, the street, and the city haven't even earned a second thought.

But back to these vanilla-only people in my life ... while I get that you may not understand or agree with my decisions and the choices I am making, there are two things I don't get:

1) Do you have to understand my actions or agree with what I'm doing to support me ??
2) Why do you care ?????

If everyone in the world had the same beliefs, values and goals, what incredibly boring and limitless lives we would lead. Everyone wants different things in life, and that's actually a good thing. I faced the same scrutiny when I expressed my decision to be childless. To this day I have people question this decision, while others say they understand and reassure me its okay to be "selfish" in that regard. It's not selfish you morons, it's a choice - one of the fascinating luxuries we have in life.

While this blog may seem somewhat negative, it's actually not. Lucky for me I honestly don't care what people think ... it's my life and I'll do whatever I please :p

Bring on the chocolate :)