Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

It has been quite a while since I last posted, and undoubtedly much has changed in my life since then. I made a huge decision this past week, one that was difficult and scary, but I now feel so excited for the future I used to dread…

I changed my major.

You might call me crazy–I had only one more semester of classes to go before my music therapy internship. But I just could not shake the feeling that I have been on the wrong path for the past three and a half years. After two years in the music therapy program, I told my parents I was thinking of changing my major to something geared towards food or nutrition, but I talked myself out of it, deeming it impossible and too time consuming. I am a stubborn person, and told myself I was just scared because some of my classes were difficult.

For the past 3+ years, I have felt like a complete phony, like everyone around me was so passionate about music therapy (and don’t get me wrong, I do believe it is a very effective way of helping people) and I was just along for the ride. I never participated in clubs associated with my degree, I didn’t even go to the music therapy conference held in my OWN CITY. If that doesn’t say something, I don’t know what does.

It finally all became clear to me this past week when a friend and fellow music therapy student told me about changing her major to a bachelor of arts in music. I realized that if I did this, I wouldn’t be set back too far class-wise, since many of my music courses would transfer degrees. I read about what it takes to be a registered dietitian, and I researched schools and programs. I soul-searched, talked to my friends and family, and finally came to the conclusion that this was what I really wanted to do.

So I switched. I will have to take many elective courses which I will now gear towards getting into a dietetics program. I will have to take 17-18 hours for two more semesters, and will have to take 9-12 hours of classes next summer. But you know what?

I feel like this is one of the best decisions of my life. I feel free. Like this weight on my shoulders just disappeared, and that happy, energetic, soulful girl I used to know and be is back in my body again, replacing the scared, mousy one from before.

I feel alive again.

What kind of decisions have you had to make that were scary/difficult? How do you feel about it now?