Why it’s never too late to do something you love

At the age of 30, I achieved the pinnacle of my professional journey, working as Media Director at a large international advertising company. My career was thriving and rapidly prospering, however, a profound shift in my path was on the horizon – destined to alter my course indefinitely.

After getting married I moved to Asia where I continued working in high-level corporate positions until I returned home to Australia. At this stage, I was ready to focus on my family and became a stay-at-home mum for the next 10 years. It was fulfilling to watch my children grow and flourish and I’m very lucky to have been present for each milestone in their lives. However, as they grew older, I felt a yearning to get back into the workforce and pursue my passions.

At the age of 54, I knew it was time to embark on an exciting new journey. I was determined to turn my love for design, interiors and decorating into something more meaningful. What once was a hobby of mine, had now become a career path worth pursuing and with that, I had started working on interior styling projects catering to both residential and commercial clients.

Then in 2020, the onset of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns had me consider another shift in direction. Whilst I wanted to maintain a creative focus, I dreamed of delving into the world of charity and not-for-profit. I set out to build a homewares line that resonated with the consumer desire for purposeful purchases. From this, the idea for my company T.House was born.

At 60, I was launching the product line of my dreams, which is now an ever-expanding luxury collection of homewares, hampers, scents, gifts and limited-edition pieces, each item designed not only to bring joy but to give back to the charities it exclusively supports. T.House aligns with 3 main charities that are close to my heart – Eat Up Australia, the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation and the Lighthouse Foundation.

Throughout my life, I have learned the importance of being able to pivot direction and adapt to change and through these experiences, I have realised the beauty of discovering your true passion. My journey is also a testament to how this can be successfully accomplished regardless of age – it’s all about embracing new challenges and striving for continuous growth.

Feeling “stuck” or at a crossroads in life or career is an all-too-common experience. However, it’s important to remember that you always have the power to make a change and pursue a more fulfilling path. Here are some of my tried and tested strategies, that can help those wanting to change direction and embark on a new journey:

Identify your passions:

Age has no limit when it comes to discovering your passions. Take time to reflect on what truly motivates you. Identifying your passions can open doors to new opportunities and guide you down a path that aligns with your authentic self.

Assess your skills:

Reflect on the skills you’ve acquired throughout your life. Write them down and consider how they can be applied to fresh ventures. At the same time, identify any new skills you may need to support this turn of direction in life and remember you are never too old to learn new things.

Set realistic goals:

When embarking on a new chapter, it’s important to set realistic goals. Break down your aspirations into achievable steps to be accomplished over time. This strategy will help you to stay focused on the journey and progress towards an ultimate goal.

Practice positive self-talk:

The power of self-talk cannot be underestimated. Training your mind to cultivate a positive and empowering dialogue can be one of the most helpful tools for building motivation and resilience.

Expand your network:

Embracing meaningful connections is an instrumental part of personal and professional growth. Engaging with like-minded individuals can help to provide invaluable insights, advice, and collaborative opportunities.

Seek Guidance:

Consider seeking guidance from career coaches and mentors who specialise in supporting individuals through career and life transitions. These professionals can help to provide objective insights and offer strategic plans specifically tailored to your aspirations.

Weigh up Pros & cons:

Making a list of pros and cons relating to a career change will help you to make a well-informed decision. Additionally, this exercise will help you to identify potential challenges or roadblocks that may arise along the way and if they are able to be tackled and overcome.

Test your ideas:

When starting a new business venture, it’s important to test your ideas before diving in headfirst. Conduct market research, assess brand competitors and determine the point of difference in your offering. Testing your ideas will allow you to gauge feasibility and adjust accordingly.

Embrace fearlessness:

Embracing change requires courage and fearlessness. Embrace the unknown and trust in your ability to adapt and grow.

Accept the role of failure:

Failure is an integral part of success. Embracing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback will help you to adapt your approach, persevere and ultimately thrive in your endeavour.

Prioritise Heath:

Throughout the process of change, it’s important to maintain social connections and nurture relationships. Additionally, prioritising your health and well-being will ensure you stay balanced, positive, and focused.