Dress • Romwe | Cardigan • Similar here and here | Moto Jacket • Macy’s | Bag • Michael Kors | Sunglasses • Nordstrom | Necklace • Similar here | Watch • Michael Kors | Shoes • Nordstrom

I found this pretty print dress and thought it would be fun to style it a few different ways.  It’s another one of those easy dresses you can just pull over your head and go.  Or add a long cardigan.  Or a moto jacket.  It’s versatile enough for either, or neither!

My dress is a little shorter than I realized.  I think I’ll either wear it with darker nylons to compensate for the lack of length or lose a couple of pounds so it hangs lower.  So, darker nylons. . . 🙂

This week marks a pretty big event in my life.  I’m leaving the comfort and security of a CPA firm where I’ve spent the last 12 years to step into a new role in a new firm.  I’m simultaneously excited and nervous.  I dearly love everyone in the firm I’ve leaving.  They are wonderful, intelligent people and I’ve enjoyed my time there.  I also love the clients with whom I’ve developed relationships over these many years.

Stepping away from this comfort to embrace a new challenge is exciting, but frankly, scary.  Few things worth having come without risk.  And few goals worth setting come without work.  The work I can do; the risk is the issue.  I can handle risk in my portfolio – the finish line is so far in the future.  Risk in my day-to-day dealings, in the near-term financial well-being of my family, that’s were I find I’m more risk-adverse than I realized.

There is an expression about hands closed in fists around the past not able to open to receive gifts of the future.  So, although I’m apprehensive of the future and sad to leave the past, it’s time to embrace new possibilities.  Those things I’ve said I wanted are now completely up to me to obtain.  The only thing blocking me is me.

I’m not often this transparent.  I’m open about superficial things and moments when I’ve done something silly or ridiculous.  This is different.  It’s about taking a big risk and admitting than I’m as scared as I am excited.  I can empathize with women who are forced into change due to a divorce, a family death, a company down-sizing.

My choice, however, is exactly that – my choice.  Some of you have had major life changes dumped on you without choice, and now you’re left to pick up the pieces while trying to retrieve your dignity.  I don’t want to throw a glib you-can-do-it poster caption at you and pretend that’s all you need.  What you’re going through is real, and difficult and deserves much more than a rah-rah speech.

What I can offer is prayer and, to some extent, emotional support.  If possible, find a friend you can lean on (be careful not to smother them) and surround yourself with people you trust to offer good counsel.  You don’t want a group that will facilitate your pity party.  You want women who will stand with you and give you their strength until you find your own.  And in this I hope and pray the very best for you.