When I decided I wanted to go into medicine I had taken ONE science class in undergrad: Chemistry of Foods. Yep. That’s right. I hate science. Always have. It’s not my talent. And guess what? I went back to school and took ALL THE SCIENCE CLASSES.

I felt like a fraud for most of grad school. I was surrounded by really smart people. I had to work twice as hard as almost everyone there. But I did it. I graduated and got a job. And then (years later) when I had my first son I quit. This makes people uncomfortable.

I have had several women approach me about making big changes in their lives. It seems scary. It seems overwhelming. Sometimes it seems risky. All of those things are true. But the thing that usually stops us in our tracks from making the change is worry about what others will think.

When I tell people I stay at home with my children they always want to know if I’ll go back to being a PA. I usually say no. It’s the truth (as far as I know, I can’t see into the future after all). Medicine served me well. I can clearly see God’s plan in the path I have taken. But medicine is part of my story. It is not my entire story.

What I’ve learned since leaving medicine is that I have to be OK with other people’s discomfort. If I am making the right choice for me, it’s ok that others don’t like it. This does not mean abandon wise counsel. But it does mean a stranger’s or acquaintance’s probing questions and expectations do not define what is right for your life.

Is there a change you want to make but are worried about what others will think? Why are you letting this stop you?