in another life

A couple of weeks ago, one of my best friends from college came to visit me [that’s right ya’ll, she’s a real one.] Amidst our packed weekend agenda, we found some time to pop in an open house on my block-same apartment as mine, just two doors down. This apartment was magnificent. Everything from the white hydrangeas on the kitchen table to the horizontal rectangular mirror that lined the guest room to the modern art that hung on the walls. This showing left my apartment in the dust. And so, I started thinking that I would love to be an interior designer- to design and transform houses into homes [well, dope homes.] I’d love to learn about the trends in the field, the rules of color, styles of decor (maritime, classic, romantic), and the list goes on. I did some researching and learned that there is a prestigious society [The American Society of interior Designers to be exact]- that many designers strive to be a part of. In another life, could I be an interior designer?

During the same week, the OG queen herself, Anna Wintour, paid a visit to YouTube. I intently listened from the second row [of course] to everything she had to say about listening to those who disagree with you, the future of magazines, and the increasingly diverse audiences for which they need to cater [shout out to my QUEEN Elaine Welteroth and Phillip Picardi for making history over at Teen Vogue-never read more TV in my life.] That same week Conde Nast announced 80 layoffs, and that Teen Vogue would only continue in digital form [rendering the stacks of Teen Vogue mags that line my childhood bedroom collectibles?] And so, I got to thinking, in another life, what would a career in ‘magazines’ look like?

Not too long ago I finished reading Grit by Angela Duckworth [another queen and one of my favorite professors back at Penn.] Finishing her book and, quite frankly, reading any psychology book always makes me think that in another life I would return to school to get a Masters degree in Psychology. [And while we’re on the topic of academia, sometimes even a PhD in Communications or PhD in marketing.] In another life, could I commit to writing a dissertation?

This weekend, I finished When Breath Becomes Air [thanks Scott for the breathtaking recommendation], which, without getting into too many details, depicts one man’s journey to becoming a neurosurgeon. It had me thinking what it would be like to be a doctor. Many of you probably don’t know this, but for the majority of my high school career I wanted to be an ob-gyn. [Literally, what is more badass that bringing life into the world? Answer: Nothing. Women are goddesses.] And this book reminded me of all the things that used to [and still do] fascinate me about the medical profession. And so, I wondered, in another life, could I be a doctor?

I could go on and on about my endless list of interests-graphic design, creative direction, etc.- but I’ll end my rambling here. While I don’t know what any of these careers would look like, what I do know is that I have loads of interests, and I hope to pursue all of them in some shape or form. [Well, perhaps not medicine. I have a feeling that ship has since sailed.] I’d like to think I’ve got about 5 careers in me- a woman of many talents, if you will. I’m excited to see which ones make the cut.

Sweater: Banana Republic//Skirt: Forerver 21// Shoes: Jessica Simpson (via Marshalls)//Bag:Coach

Photos by: Dani Grant