Back to school?

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

I am not sure where to post this, but here goes.

I am considering going back to college. I currently have an AA in Fine Arts. I am not sure really what I want to study, but I miss the school environment and learning new things (and, yes, I do know I don't have to go to school to do that).

My areas of interest are:

Writing
Business (I have dreamt of starting a veg restaurant in my city)
Art
Something to help others like social work...I am not sure what else may apply.

Just some thoughts to toss out and see if anyone has any advice for me. I do work full time (M-F 9-5), but that's what I would eventually like to omit (or at least do it in a job I love). I am in my late 20s and still don't know exaclty what I want to do. I need to do the finding your life purpose exercise Steve has...

[Niki]

Hey !

Well, you can take veg cooking lessons, together with something to learn about the restaurant business. You can write a blog, about your experiences as a veggie restaurant startup. Veggie from the start ... .

You can produce your own art, to place in your restaurant. You can use your art to produce nicer meals (the eye sometimes wants more then the mouth)

Voile, some ideas :-)

Greetings my friend.

And goooood luck!!!

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Wow. Thanks Niki. I think maybe you just figured it out for me. That sounds so cool. I'm really going to think on it!

[InJoy]

I'm thinking along the same lines as Niki. It's probably a great idea to do the Purpose exercise, but I did notice that when you listed the things you like to do, the veg restaurant idea really stuck out as being something for which you have passion (love!). If there's something you've always dreamt of, maybe that's your answer right there.

Let me ask you this: When you think of taking business and cooking classes, etc.... really taking steps in the direction of opening that restaurant, how do you feel?

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

I get really excited. I even have a friend who has always worked in restaurants who would love to partner with me. And my mom, who also wants to find something she's more passionate about thinks it's a great idea and loves the bookkeeping side of things...stuff I'm not as strong at. My dad is cheflike in his cooking skill and while he wouldn't want to do it full time, he would be a great sounding board for recipies. It may be more attainable than I thought.

One more thing I love is furniture design and "making stuff." I could even design and build the tables and chairs...

[John Wesley]

There are a bunch of other factors you should consider. Namely, how much money do you want to make afterwards. This can make the difference between doing something very business oriented, or something more artistic like writing.

If you do business, you'll have a lot more options for employment afterwards, but you make the sacrifice of doing something creative. Of course, I'm a big fan of self education because you can learn about whatever you want and don't have to pay that expensive tuition!

[InJoy]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

I get really excited. I even have a friend who has always worked in restaurants who would love to partner with me. And my mom, who also wants to find something she's more passionate about thinks it's a great idea and loves the bookkeeping side of things...stuff I'm not as strong at. My dad is cheflike in his cooking skill and while he wouldn't want to do it full time, he would be a great sounding board for recipies. It may be more attainable than I thought.

One more thing I love is furniture design and "making stuff." I could even design and build the tables and chairs...

I'm not even a vegetarian, and I want you to do this!

Seriously, the passion you have for this idea is popping off the screen like fireworks. You'd be doing yourself a major disservice to ignore it.

I believe it is safe to say that you've answered your own question. My two pennies.... GO FOR IT!