“Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.” —Dr. Dale E. Turner.
The dream of medical school
As a schoolgirl, I had the desire to go to medical school. But soon I realized that I was not fit for the profession. Working on cadavers gave me an uncanny feeling, seeing blood made me puke and seeing people in pain made me cry buckets.
Being a science major I opted to go into the field of research. I majored in the field of Zoology and completed my thesis in the same. Immediately after completion, I got a fellowship to work as a Research Associate at a premier institution. I started dreaming of breaking glass ceilings in my chosen field.
Marriage changed it all
Suddenly my reverie was broken, I was hitched for life and my life took a 360-degree turn. I was trudging all over the country with my better half as he was posted to different places. My career was put on the back burner. Kids followed and I became a hands-on mum.
Time flew, kids grew and soon I was left twiddling my thumbs. I cannot remain in inertia for too long, I need the kinetic energy to move ahead in life. A sabbatical of twenty-plus years had pushed me behind my peers. They had climbed rungs whereas I remained static.
Starting afresh after a long sabbatical
I decided to restart my career. But the gap had widened and no one was ready to employ me. The world had digitalised and I was naive in that sphere. After receiving a few rejections I started losing heart. I shed copious tears but soon understood that it was pointless wallowing in self-pity. I had to change my attitude towards life.
“Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”—Harriet Tubman.
I had vented enough and now I started working on my strengths. I learned the nuances of technology and upskilled myself in the field of creative writing. Writing had been a passion since my school days so I decided to rekindle that passion. Soon I felt confident and was ready to take the world by storm. I started surfing the net to find some writing jobs.
“To keep on trying despite disappointment and failure is the only way to keep young and brave. Failures become victories if they make us wise-hearted.”- Helen Keller
An opening at a publishing house
I was determined to do something in life and soon luck smiled and I got a freelance proofreading job with a publishing house. This was a work-from-home job back in the year 2014 when this concept was quite new. it was a wonderful experience working from the comfort of one’s home. I worked for three years.
Along with that I started pushing boundaries and started my creative writing journey.M
Publications in my name
I was lucky that my short story was published in the Indian Chicken Soup series. Then there was no looking back, I started sending my articles and stories to several websites which were accepted and published. I was thrilled to the core. Soon I looked towards national dailies and published a few articles there.
I have a restless soul whose quench for knowledge is never satiated. I keep wanting to try new things.
“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” — Paulo Coelho
Foray into content writing
Now I started eyeing content writing. I had no prior knowledge regarding content writing. I started educating myself through articles and YouTube. Soon I started applying for content writing internships. I registered on a few sites, and after a hiatus of three months, I got a response from an employer.
He liked my article and was willing to let me intern under him. It was a two-month virtual internship. Soon I learned the ropes of content writing and worked with several startups. Meanwhile, I got a chance to teach English to students through the virtual. It was a wonderful learning experience.
The strongest actions for a woman is to love herself, be herself and shine amongst those who never believed she could.”
I had my hands full as I got the opportunity to work as an edu advisor for two companies. Along with that, I was curating content for both companies. All work was being done remotely. So I could manage both home and work well.
My creative writing too started taking shape and I decided to try writing on international platforms. I am grateful to the Almighty that my work was appreciated and my articles saw the light of the day on international platforms. Writing has always given me a high. It has been my adrenaline booster. My write-ups found a way into several magazines like Reader’s Digest, Womenshine, and Litgleam to name a few.
Along with writing started my love affair with speaking. I started participating in open-mic competitions, poetry, quotes, and reel-making and I won quite a few.
The journey from nobody to somebody changed my outlook towards life.
“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” — Chris Grosser
I started getting accolades for my work. People started appreciating my work and found my journey inspiring. Several websites published articles on my inspiring journey and was invited as a guest on several chat shows.
Along with that, I have managed to publish my stories in three anthologies. Which was like a dream come true.
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot
I had always dreamt of being a prolific writer and I am taking baby steps towards it. I love to experiment and lately, I have had the privilege of moderating chat shows which has opened new vistas for me. I meet people from all walks of life and learn a lot from their experiences. I may have started late in life but I have no regrets as “ the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” I have discovered a penchant towards art and am working on that too.
My message to women is if one door closes another opens. Don’t fret and fume and curse your fate. Just restart with a bang.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”—Walt Disney.
Facebook Comments