I totally admire your decision! It takes guts to do what you did. Bravo!

Wishing you the best. I changed careers in my late twenties, but that was failure to launch. Reboot version 2.0 worked much better.

Yay, Rae! Good on you, and wish you all good luck too!

(Julie, great toast! Lyn, where are you off to? )

Best wishes, Rae! If anyone has enough gumption to live their dreams, you certainly do. Go girl!!

Aw, that toast is getting me all sentimental. Definitely drinking a beer to that!

And Anna, thank you for sharing your reboots - I would never have guessed that you'd changed your mind along the way.

Rae, I think that is a bold and wise step, and I'm cheering you on. I'm still trying to find my direction too, and I'm glad you have a strong sense of where you are going to feel the most fulfillment.

Congratulations! You did it!

You are very brave, and I'm so impressed!! It takes a lot to just up and do something different, without having that next step in place just yet - we're talking about a whole lot of courage, which you have in spades. I'm very inspired by what you've done, because I am also in a situation that I'm not crazy about, and I *know* that I could wait forever for things to change or for the right opportunity to come along - and yet, it might never happen. Sometimes the way to "make it happen" is to just just move on, even without knowing exactly what you are moving on to.

Big smile here - you did it!!!

Rae, you sounded so recharged talking about the transition -- I'm rooting for you all the way!

Wishing you the very best in your next adventure. You obviously have what it takes...guts, talent, drive, and support from Mr. Rae. *raising a glass...*

Rae good for you:) I wish you all the best and I believe you will find successs and fulfilment with your new venture:)

I have been absent from YLF but so glad I checked in tonight just to see your post
I know you have been thinking long and hard about this decision and you seem to be realistic about the path you are on - love that!
Wishing you much fun and fulfillment as you travel this road and if you ever need support, please check in.

Congrats Rae! I am so glad you've decided to follow your passion and pursue your dream job. I wish you lots of happiness and success! I know you'd be a fantastic personal shopper!

Have you thought about volunteering as a personal shopper for Dress for Success like Claire? I'm looking into it myself. And maybe also volunteering to shop for friends or acquaintances sans fee initially? That way you can build up some experience and references for when you're applying for a paid job. You could even take before and after pics for a portfolio of your work.

BTW I left surgery residency after five years and switched to Internal Medicine. It was a really hard decision to switch gears after all that time but I'm really glad I did because I really enjoy what I do.

Way to go! You will be a fantastic personal shopper. I'm very excited for you.

And it's not a particularly late start, by the way. You're young!

That's a great idea, Natalie! I had looked into DFS long ago, but I couldn't do the volunteer hours available because I was working full time. I'm definitely going to inquire.

Rae.... You did fantastic....
There is no amount of money that gives you satisfaction that doing what you are passionate about...

Personally I also know quitting a well paid job is also not easy...
You are doing great and way to go gal!!!!

How exciting! I believe moving out towards a goal like this is a wonderful and liberating thing, but i do know its scary as well. I wish you much happiness and success and hope you will share your adventures with us.