“There's no path to success. Everyone constructs their own path. The important thing is to follow your heart. Find your niche, is my best advice.”
- Karol G
When your life is on a certain path, it usually continues in the same direction. There might be some obstacles, curves, or turns that you come across along the way, but odds are you stay on the same path. For me that’s been pursuing my best in the sport of volleyball. I did retire in 2016 after the Olympics and I started my journey to motherhood, but I stayed close to the sport and pursuing my best by coaching, so the same path, more passengers. Then I took a turn into the mental side of things that benefited me as a mother and opened the door to different opportunities. Still pursuing my best, and still coaching in a different way.
Where am I going with this? Don’t worry I’ll get there. I’ve mentioned before that I love research, I like learning about things that help me or my family be the healthiest we can be. When I was pregnant for the first time, and I had some time on my hands, I jumped into the world of all things baby. Baby clothes, baby car seats and strollers, baby monitors, baby cribs and bassinets, baby products, baby food, etc. What was the safest? What gave you the most options? What was good for travel? What was the most economic? What was the most natural or organic? I did ALL the research. I even attended a baby expo to learn about new products coming onto the market. I also relied on blogs that would review items, show how they worked. I was deep in it.
Then my first born came, and I got to test out all this new stuff, see what worked and what didn’t. What was, unfortunately, a waste of time, or what was the game changer for a sleep deprived new first time mom. I eventually had a second child, and while I saved pretty much everything I found useful, I found another opportunity to continue the research. What new products had come onto the scene that I could use to upgrade what I already had going on. I realized that I really enjoyed this world of baby gear.
What I also realized was that not everyone liked doing the same amount of research as me and I found that people I knew who were pregnant might like a list of things I had tested out and loved. Making a list for a registry isn’t new. There are bloggers who do this, some of which I relied on heavily when I was making mine. When the info comes from someone you know personally, who knows you, it’s easier than finding the right blog. So I shared with anyone who wanted the info. I realized that I enjoyed the world of helping others with baby gear.
“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.”
I have a dream (and not nearly as profound as MLK Jr.) of someday having a baby store. A cute little boutique where I sold the products I believed in and helped mothers to create their own registry lists. I’d even love to have space for practicing car seat installation, testing out which car seat fits in the customer's car and where parents can learn how to properly install the seat, and know how the child fits the safest in it. These stores exist, but they aren’t everywhere, they’re few and far between.
Now, while I’m sure that I would put some of the skills I’ve acquired pursuing my best in volleyball, parenting, and coaching, however, owning a baby store feels very much like jumping onto a different path. It’s not been my life’s dream, but it’s a dream that’s come up for me and I enjoy thinking about it. I don’t pursue it because I also like the life I’m building and the direction of the path I’m currently on. Even though jumping onto a path that’s new and different sounds a little scary, it isn’t what’s holding me back.
“Each person holds so much power within themselves that needs to be let out. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, a little direction, a little support, a little coaching, and the greatest things can happen.”
- Pete Carroll
I wonder if any of you out there have an alternate path? A dream that feels different from whatever you’re doing now. Maybe someday I’ll have a little baby store, maybe not. If you like what you’re doing now, keep doing what you’re doing and keep dreaming with me. If you don’t love what you’re doing now, consider taking a leap into the unknown! Everyone has the agency to organize their life in a way that is fulfilling, from the relationships you have to the career you pursue. Either way, I’d love to hear about what you’re pursuing, what you dream about pursuing, or anything in between!
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