Renewed, Restored, Reloved - Transforming a piece of furniture has transformed my life.

How do we define the ideal life? In today's culture, the concept of the ideal is fluid. What is suitable for a woman in her midlife differs from that in her thirties, taking into account physical, emotional, professional, and financial aspects ideal has many meanings.

Embracing the phase of life known as "Midlife" fills me with authentic joy. I firmly believe that my openness to exploration has been crucial in managing the transitions that come with this stage. It is vital for everyone to possess a key skill: the capacity to welcome change and a commitment to ongoing learning. While I may not be an expert in any particular field, I possess a diverse set of skills. By nurturing various skills, interests, or hobbies, individuals can enrich their lives with a wider range of resources. This journey is unique to each person, so my experiences may differ from yours. The resilience needed to navigate life's complexities is significant, and there is no instruction manual for problem-solving. Life brings about changes such as empty nesting, work pressures, financial difficulties, and possibly the loss of a partner. All of which coincided with my entry into this life phase. Each change led to challenging emotional situations and sometimes it felt impossible to see a way out.

Embarking on new adventures is a great way to refresh oneself, honing the art of creating beauty brings energy to both the artist and the artwork. I set out to acquire the skill of refurbishing and repurposing furniture. It all began with a discarded bookshelf found on the street. Taking the bookshelf to my car and purchasing a quart of chalk paint altered my path. I delved into exploring inventive concepts for revamping old furniture, which, let's be honest, could be of superior quality compared to items bought from an online store. My decorating abilities were not particularly remarkable. As a Pier 1 enthusiast, I applied for a job and eventually became an employee and a proficient customer educator on various "How To" topics. The manager would assign me a specific topic, and it was my duty to follow Pier 1's educational process while having the liberty to develop my own presentation for the customers. I relished working for Pier 1 because I was constantly surrounded by exquisite items. With each shift, I gained more knowledge about interior decor and design. This gave me the confidence to consider potential entrepreneurial opportunities in the field of decor and design. Reflecting on those two particular decisions led me to create this blog.

Reconnecting with my high school girlfriends has been a valuable experience in helping me adapt to changes. Although I was initially hesitant to join our gatherings, feeling somewhat inferior due to being in a different place in life than my friends, it was the enthusiastic encouragement of a co-worker that ultimately convinced me to participate. I am thankful for her support in pushing me to take the initiative to reconnect. This rekindled connection not only allowed us to reminisce about the past but also provided an opportunity to share our current life experiences. It's ironic how this process showed us that we are not as isolated as we may think in this vast world.

My reunion with my high school girlfriends didn't stop there; the same organizers arranged the inaugural Macomb High School Class of '86 girls' trip. A group of nine of us journeyed to Fennville, Michigan for a weekend getaway. We booked an Airbnb and had an incredible time together. From shopping and dining to visiting wineries and even enjoying a doughnut boat ride, every moment was delightful. However, the most precious moments were the evenings spent gathered around a table or on the screened-in porch, sharing stories from the past thirty-eight years of our lives. It was amazing to exchange so many life experiences in just one weekend. Meeting with these ladies after at least two decades made me realize the importance of reconnecting with people instead of shutting them out.

Every individual's journey is unique, and it is important to discover one's own path to navigate through life. My personal journey began when I found a discarded vintage bookshelf abandoned on the curb changing my life. This simple act sparked a hobby, initiated a healing process, rekindled connections, and eventually led me to start my own business. The satisfaction of transforming a worn-out piece of furniture into something new, beautiful, and purposeful is truly remarkable. This same kind of transformation can occur within us if we are open to exploring, learning, creating, or reconnecting. It is natural to feel apprehensive about making mistakes or things not going as planned but taking that first step into the unknown can lead to unexpected places. Thus, I extend an invitation to you to engage with the core themes of my inaugural blog: Renew, Restore, and Relove. Let us embark on this journey together.

XOXO

Tina

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